Mixed feelings seem to be the norm these days, so – I am both sad that we need to wear face masks, and happy that I can make them. Now that I have tried a few different variations, it’s gotten pretty quick and easy to put these masks together. They are a satisfying way to use small scraps of fabric, and several have been going out by mail or on the doorstep to my friends. I’ve gotten some lovely chocolate treats in return – it’s a great feeling, when people know you so well!

The original mask pattern I made is in a prior post. Now, I have made a few updates that I think make it more comfortable (nose dart) and practical (opening at the bottom, if you want to add additional filter material).

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cotton fabric – use a tightly-woven material, such as high thread count bed sheets or quilting cottons for better protection (two 8″ squares per mask)
• 1/4″ wide elastic (12.5″ length per mask)
• Cord for ties – I used spare shoelaces and some bias tape stitched closed (I yard per mask)
• Basic sewing supplies
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Here’s how to do it:

• Cut two 8″x8″ squares of cotton
• Round the top slightly (see picture below)
• Fold the mask in half vertically, with right side facing, and sew small darts at the top center of each piece. My darts are approximately 7/8″ wide and 2 1/4″ high (see picture below)
• Zig-zag stitch along the bottom of each piece to stop the hem from fraying, because this side will be left open to insert optional filter material.
• Place the two pieces right sides together and pin
• In between the two layers, pin the elastic 3/8″ down from the top corners, careful not to twist and pin the ties 3/8” up from the bottom corners
• Starting about 1.5″ from a bottom corner, stitch toward the corner and all around the edge of the mask with a 3/8″ seam allowance, ending about 1.5″ from the opposite bottom corner, leaving an opening in the center of the bottom. Backstitch at the beginning, ties, elastic, and end (see picture below)

• Clip the corners, clip the top curve, and turn right side out

• Iron the seams flat and top stitch around the edges
• Pin two or three pleats
• Stitch the two sides to secure the pleats

Here’s how I wear these masks and some of the fun fabric and color combinations I tried:

Hope that helps others who are sewing masks. Stay safe, friends!

Julie aka “Jewels”

Sigh, with the novel coronavirus circulating it’s a good idea to have face masks for the times when we go out to get groceries or meals. Some hospitals are also asking for donations of fabric masks. I tried a few different patterns and settled on my own version I’m sharing here.

The features I like about this mask are that it’s easy to make and comfortable to wear, as well as conserving elastic, which is hard to find these days.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cotton fabric
• Elastic
• Cord for ties – I used spare shoelaces and some bias tape stitched closed
• Sewing machine, thread, scissors

Here’s how to make it:

• Cut a piece of cotton 8”x 16”
• Fold in half lengthwise and mark the middle
• Pin the elastic next to the middle on the right side
• Pin the ties 3/8” up from the bottom corners

• Fold lengthwise with right sides facing
• Leaving a 3” opening on one of the edges to turn the mask right side out, stitch around the edges with a 3/8” seam allowance
• Using the 3” opening, turn the mask right side out

• Iron the seams flat and top stitch around the edges
• Pin three pleats
• Stitch the two sides to secure the pleats

Here’s how I wear these masks and some of the fun fabric and color combinations I tried:

Hope that helps others who are sewing masks. Stay safe, friends!

Julie aka “Jewels”