How to Make your Own Mask

At this point, everyone owns at least one mask, but did you know that you can make them yourself? Although using a sewing machine speeds up the process, masks can also be sewn with just a needle and thread. Since I started making them, I’ve tried many different techniques for making masks. In my opinion, this is the best one. It’s helpful to have a good pair of scissors to cut out your fabric, but almost anything will do. I always put interfacing in my masks, it provides you with more protection from germs and more filtration which makes it easier to breathe. I usually use cotton fabric, but almost anything will work. I’ve seen people use anything from bed sheets to old t-shirts to make their masks.

Here’s what you need:

-Any thread and needle of your choosing

-One to two fabrics, you can purchase fabric at fabric stores in Charlottesville, order it online, or get creative and cut up old clothes, sheets, or cloth napkins to use as fabric.

-Elastic(for the strap that goes around your ear) thinner and softer is generally more comfortable, ask for ¼ or preferably ⅛ of an inch elastic. Elastic can also be purchased at fabric stores in town, or online)

-Interfacing, I’ve seen people make masks without interfacing, but it makes the masks more breathable and provides extra filtration to keep you safe. You can purchase interfacing at fabric stores, some craft stores, or online.

-Pins(Anything will work)

-Tape measure or ruler

-Scissors

-Paper

Step By Step Instructions

#1) Cut a piece of paper into the shape of the left picture below, it should be about 4 ½ by 6 inches. You can also print a pattern off of the internet to make it more exact. If you Google “face mask patterns” here will be a lot of good options. 

#2) Pin the paper to your fabric and cut into two separate pieces, making sure to flip the paper over the second time so that the two pieces of fabric you end up with are opposites. Do this to both of your fabrics and your interfacing so that you will have a total of six pieces.

#3) Pin each piece to the opposite piece you cut out of the same fabric (making sure that the right side is facing inwards).

#4) Sew each of your pinned pieces together as shown in the pictures above. After you do this, you will have three pieces total.

#5)Lay each of your three pieces flat. Stack the two pieces of fabric together first, make sure that the right sides are facing each other (inwards). Then on top of that, stack the interfacing piece and then pin your stack together.

 #6) Sew along the top and bottom of your stack of fabric as shown in the picture to the left, leaving the left and right sides open.

#7)Turn the mask inside out (using the sides that were left open) so that the two different fabrics are facing outwards.                                                                                                      

#8) Place your two pieces of 8 ½ inch elastic on both sides of the side of the mask, then fold the fabric over them on both sides and pin the fabric in place.

#9) Finally sew where you’ve pinned the fabric and tie the elastic so that it fits around your ears.