Times have sure changed this year...it's time to save some money and make your own fabric face mask! It's fun choosing different designs of fabric! This tutorial shows how to make one using a sewing machine.
How to Sew a Fabric Face Mask Instructions:
Step 1 - Lay the fabric so that the outside prints are touching each other. The fabric should look like it is inside out. Pin them together along the edge of one side making sure it lines up as close as you can get it. Then pin the opposite side of that side together.
Step 2 - Sew along those pins pulling them out as you go. You want to do a lock stitch at each end. To do that you simply start sewing a stitch or two then hold reverse on the sewing machine and back over that stitching then release the reverse and keep sewing all the way down the side until you get to the end and then do a lock stitch there too.
Remove the fabric from the machine and cut the thread loose. Then turn it around to sew the other pinned side just as you just finished.
Step 3 - When done, turn the fabric right-side out.
Adding Pleats And Elastic To Face Mask
Step 4 - On the two open ends, you want to fold them inwards so that there is about ½ inch of fabric folded inside. Pin them in place in the center making sure the edges match.
Step 5 - Then iron them in place so they stay folded.
Step 6 - Starting from one of the stitched sides, about 1 inch up from the bottom, you need to start making the pleats.
Step 6-2 - Make a ¾ inch fold and pin it in place on each end. It does not have to be perfectly ¾ inch but you do need to make sure you keep the edges lined up.
Step 7 - Then starting at the top of that fold, go up another inch and then do another ¾ inch fold and pin in place. Then do one more just the same.
Step 8 - After you have all three folds pinned on both sides we need to pin the elastic in place. You will pin one end of the elastic inside the folded fabric at the corner. Then pin the other end of the elastic inside the folded fabric of that same side at the other corner.
Do the same on the opposite side with the other piece of elastic.
Step 9 - Then sew the pleats and elastic in place with stitching down each side removing pins as you go. Be sure to do a lock stitch at the start and finish of each side.
When done, remove the mask from the sewing machine and trim any thread that is sticking out.
Watch the Step by Step Tutorial Video:
Fabric Face Mask Tutorial
Ingredients
- 2 10" x 10" Squares of fabric (can use same color/print or two different as I have done)
- 2 6-inch pieces of ¼ inch elastic
- Stick Pins
- Sewing Machine
- Thread color to match fabric
- Scissors
- Ruler
Instructions
- Lay the fabric so that the outside prints are touching each other. The fabric should look like it is inside out. Pin them together along the edge of one side making sure it lines up as close as you can get it. Then pin the opposite side of that side together.
- Sew along those pins pulling them out as you go. You want to do a lock stitch at each end. To do that you simply start sewing a stitch or two then hold reverse on the sewing machine and back over that stitching then release the reverse and keep sewing all the way down the side until you get to the end and then do a lock stitch there too.
- Remove the fabric from the machine and cut the thread loose. Then turn it around to sew the other pinned side just as you just finished.
- When done, turn the fabric right-side out.
- Adding Pleats And Elastic To Face Mask:
- On the two open ends, you want to fold them inwards so that there is about ½ inch of fabric folded inside. Pin them in place in the center making sure the edges match.
- Then iron them in place so they stay folded.
- Starting from one of the stitched sides, about 1 inch up from the bottom, you need to start making the pleats.
- Make a ¾ inch fold and pin it in place on each end. It does not have to be perfectly ¾ inch but you do need to make sure you keep the edges lined up.
- Then starting at the top of that fold, go up another inch and then do another ¾ inch fold and pin in place. Then do one more just the same.
- After you have all three folds pinned on both sides we need to pin the elastic in place. You will pin one end of the elastic inside the folded fabric at the corner. Then pin the other end of the elastic inside the folded fabric of that same side at the other corner.
- Do the same on the opposite side with the other piece of elastic.
- Then sew the pleats and elastic in place with stitching down each side removing pins as you go. Be sure to do a lock stitch at the start and finish of each side.