UPDATED – DIY Fitted Face Mask Tutorial & Pattern
Welcome! This is the updated Face Mask Tutorial. My previous tutorial and pattern have been a huge hit, with over 1 million views on youtube! I am so glad you guys love it. Over the last several months I have modified the original to include sizes for all ages, an optional filter pocket and a removable nose wire pocket. I’ve also included instructions in the video for all different kinds of elastic or tie straps. I hope you enjoy it!
**These instructions are the property of Taya Somes @EatPrayCreate. They can not be sold of distributed. They are for personal use only.
**This is not a sponsored post. However, some links may be affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through my links at no added cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog.
Watch the Tutorial on Youtube:
Print the Pattern:
These are the different Printer settings for different sizes: (once the PDF pops up – click printer options – print size and adjust the percentage based on the chart below).
- 110% for X-Large Adult Size
- 100% for Regular Adult Size
- 93% for Teen Size
- 88% for 10-14 year olds
- 83% for 6-9 year olds
- 78% for 3-5 year olds
**Masks are NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3!!
*If you don’t have a printer try opening the pattern on your computer screen, brighten your screen and trace the pattern on a thin piece of paper. These are about how much distance is between each section of the pattern (for a regular Adult size mask):
Top 5″ (including swoop)
Top nose to chin 9″
Chin to Jaw 3-1/2″
Jaw to upper ear 4″
NOTE: Seam Allowance is about ¼” except when top stitching, that is 1/8”
SUPPLIES:
– 100% Cotton Fabric Scraps (Pre-washed and dried) See Fabric amount needed for each size mask below. – https://amzn.to/2AbEeFR
– Elastic (or Soft Elastic for around the head) – you can find it here: https://amzn.to/2VJOITu
– Flexible Garden Tie (aka soft plant tie) – you can find it here: https://amzn.to/39vV6mf
– Wire Cutters – https://amzn.to/3dVFuLW
– Sewing Clips or Pins – https://amzn.to/2URgNId
– Scissors or Rotary Cutter – https://amzn.to/2UqISX5 or https://amzn.to/3dQW7YP
– Ruler – https://amzn.to/30tHyXA
– Sewing Machine and Thread – my sewing machine https://amzn.to/2XLbvR4 – another great more affordable option https://amzn.to/2XLPzW2
Amount of Fabric Needed for Different Size Masks:
(a ¼ yard can make about 2 masks – depending on the width of the fabric and size of masks)
Mask Size – Fabric size in inches
- XL – 8”x 6” (4 pieces)
- Regular – 7”x 6” pieces (4 pieces)
- Teen – 6-3/4” x 5-1/4” (4 pieces)
- 10/14 – 6-1/4” x 5” (4 pieces)
- 6/9 – 6” x 4-3/4” (4 pieces)
- 3/5 – 5-1/2” x 4-1/2” (4 pieces)
Elastic Options:
*For Behind the Head Elastic – cut measurements as follows: (these are approximate measurements)
- Large Adult Men’s – 15″ and 11″
- Regular Adult – 14″ and 10″
- Teen – 13-1/2″ and 9-1/2″
- 10-14 year olds – 13″ and 9″
- 6-9 year olds – 12-1/2″ and 8-1/2″
- 3-5 year olds – 12″ and 8″
- Masks are not recommended for children 2 and younger!
*Cut Behind the Ears Elastic as follows: (these are approximate measurements, you can adjust to fit to your face by measuring before you cut)
- Large Adult – 6″ each
- Regular Adult – 5″ each
- Teen – 5” each – (if your teen is the size of a regular adult do 6″)
- 10-14 year olds – 4-1/2″each
- 6-9 year olds – 4″ each
- 3-5 year olds – 4″ each
*For Ties cut your bias tape, t-shirt strips, or ribbon as follows: (these are approximate measurements)
- Teen and Adult – amount 2 each – 15” & 13” strips
- 10/14 – amount 2 each – 13” & 11” strips
- 6/9 & 3/5 – amount 2 each – 12” & 10”
Instructions:
*Cut pattern out.
*Trace pattern onto fabric. Cut 2 lining pieces and 2 outside pieces, opposite each other. Can also cut Non-woven interfacing to include in the pattern for more filtration or a third layer of fabric.
*Cut Fabric out.
*Put right sides together of each set and sew along the front curved edge.
*Cut notches along the seam so it will lay flat when turned. Be careful not to clip the thread you just sewed.
*FOR THE FILTER POCKET: fold bottom section under twice (about 1/4”) and iron, then stitch in place from one end to the other. Repeat for both layers. (Skip this step if you don’t want a filter pocket)
*Put the 2 pieces – front and back – right sides together.
*Cut Elastic (see guide above for how long to cut elastic) – ear and head elastic and tie options.
*Put elastic in between fabric layers. Clip or pin into place.
*Sew along right, top, and left side. Be sure to backstitch over elastic to secure.
*Cut pointy corners off and any excess elastic. Don’t cut any seam threads.
*Turn right side out. Push corners out.
*Iron Edges Flat.
* Begin sewing along the outside edge of mask starting at the bottom and working all the way around the mask. Be sure and leave about a 3” gap at the bottom of the chin area for inserting a filter if desired.
*Create Wire Pocket by cutting a piece of fabric 3” x 2-1/2”. Fold in half the long way, right sides together, and sew along the 2 short sides. Trim upper edges. Turn right side out and fold open seam inward. Iron flat.
*Sew top edge of Nose pocket to the top of inside of mask. Sew bottom edge next. Leaving the 2 short ends open.
*Cut a 2” piece of wire. Clip the wire ends shorter than the cover on each side and insert into mask pocket. (Remove when washing)
* Clip pleats in place along the sides of the mask (about ½” each side for regular and XL size masks, ¼” for other masks) Sew over the pleat 2 or 3 times.
Your mask is complete!!
**Recommended washing after each use. Remove Wire before washing. Wash on warm and hang to dry (mask will last longer) or dry on low setting in dryer.
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Taya
Hi I'm Taya! A stay-at-home mother to 5 cuties. I love to craft, sew, blog and make fun things. I'm the creator of the 'Eat-Pray-Create' blog and I'm so glad you're here!
23 Comments
Robin White-Underwood
Hello. Thank you for creating this mask and tutorial. I have a couple of questions. One: how do I remove the nose wire from the mask for laundering? Isn’t it sewn into the mask?
Two: your mask pattern is more extensive, yet much better fitting than the mask pattern I am currently using. If I switch to your pattern, may I sell the masks I make, making sure I give YOU credit for the pattern? I would not be selling the masks to make a lot of money. I would like to donate the proceeds of my mask sales (haven’t done it yet, BTW). If you do not want me to sell masks I make from your pattern, I agree with that, and I will honor that.
Taya
The pocket allows you to remove the wire before laundering (see end of video where I demonstrate this). And yes you can use my pattern to make and sell them if you reference my blog or youtube video – eatpraycreate pattern. Thanks!
Heidi Tack
Hi Taya,
Some from my church are giving away masks to those in downtown Detroit (many of which have no access to a sewing machine or can’t afford to buy masks). We staunchly refuse all monetary compensation for the masks we hand out. I made one of your masks for myself, but wanted to ask permission to make some more from some of the scraps that I have to hand out. I want to be sure that this doesn’t violate your directive to not distribute (I’m not distributing the pattern) because, as a Christian I strive to always be honest in what I do, even when it is for a good cause.
Thanks for giving such clear directions for making masks that are both cute and practical.
Heidi
Taya
Of course you can make them and give them away! Thanks for blessing others!
Betsy Townsend
Thank you for both your original mask instructions and this update.
I have used it to make masks for my family & friends. They all were quite happy with the masks I made them. As my sister has ALS and her husband has pancreatic cancer, they are both quite vulnerable to Covid19. They asked me to make some for their grandchildren (ages 4,6 & 8). I was trying to figure out how to downsize the pattern and was very happy to see you have already done that. THANKS!
Terry Close
Thank you for this wonderful mask! Everyone in my extended family is wearing one! I have two almost 3 year olds who want one too. Would you recommend a nose wire in their masks also?
Taya
It helps keep the mask from falling down. You could always add the nose wire pocket and have them try it with and without the wire to see what works best 🙂
Jennifer
Hi Taya, Thanks for the super easy-to-follow instructions + video. I traced from the computer screen and my masks came out almost ok. My husband’s works better for him since he is full-bearded and needed the extra room. I made mine a smidge smaller and it just slides right off my nose. I want to make them for my kids too, but I’m not sure which part to make shorter, the `nose or the chin. I’m a very beginner sewer and basically can only sew masks at this point! (I also looked at your block schedule for school. I’m going to try something modified for this summer since there won’t be any camps. My kids are a bit older, but still need some structure.) Thanks again! ~Jenn
Taya
Make the pleat on the sides tighter by folding the fabric more, this will pull the chin up so it fits more snug. (this step is at the end of the tutorial)
Denise
Great pattern, but how and when do you sew the bottom edge if you’re not doing a filter pocket? When I turn it to the right side, what do I do with the raw edges?
Taya
sew all the way around the edge once flipped. No need to stop for the opening, just sew until you get back to where you started.
Helen
Great video. Thank you for sharing.
Wendi
These are the best masks!!!
Thank you so much for sharing 🙏💜✌️
Vikki Ferrie
Hi there, for the first non pleated mask, how much of a seam allowance do you recommend?
Thanks!
Taya
1/4″
Jenny Lawson
What page size should the printer be set at to get the right size?
We use A4 here, in Australia. I have a feeling you’re American and maybe use letter size? This will chage the size of the pattern
Taya
Our paper size is 8″ X 11″
Joan M Frame
with around the head elastic does the larger size go on the top or the bottom
Taya
Larger goes on top to go around your head, bottom closer to the neck so it’s smaller.
Courtney
I just want to thank you for sharing this template! These are by far the best fitting masks I have found so far and I have made them for my friends and family who also love them. Thank you for your generosity! Stay safe
Mariève
Hello Tanya,
Just wanted to say thanks you for the great pattern and well executed tutorial: I’m a beginner sewer and had no trouble at all making masks for myself, my husband and my daugther! My almost 4 yrs old daughter actually wants to wear hers, and at home, she puts one on to pretend she is going to the stores with her plushies. This was very generous of you to put your partern and video tutorial online for free like this, and we are hugely thankful!
Take good care, and again, thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Mariève 🙂
Paula Lacy
Taya, thank you so much for this pattern and great tutorial. To date I have made 60 masks from your pattern. I do not charge, though I do limit my masks to family and friends. The people wearing the masks I make range in age from 5 yrs old to 75 yrs old. We have a good time with the fabrics I choose, and now my “customers” are actually suggesting fabrics they would like. You are helping to make this world a better place, and again, I thank you <3
Rita
I’m going to be using your pattern..thank you!…I have used old fashioned “pipe cleaners” for the nose area and it washes right along with the mask…