In response to our current pandemic, like many sewists out there, I have been making face masks to distribute to family, friends, nursing homes and more. I think I’ve taken up sewing masks as a full time job, since my regular job was put on hold due to the pandemic. Everyone that’s worn my face mask says they really like it. And so Jen’s Face Mask Tutorial was born…

My Inspiration for Jen’s Face Mask Tutorial

I saw a video tutorial for this style of face mask on YouTube, but there were no written instructions. Unfortunately, the video was removed from YouTube shortly after I viewed it. I searched the internet and could not find a pattern for this style face mask. Luckily for me, I took a few notes before the video disappeared. Because I liked this style face mask, I decided to make my own written tutorial with lots of photos. I did make a few minor changes (to the original face mask instructions I saw on YouTube) to make it easier to sew.  It’s more of a sewing tutorial than a serging tutorial. This face mask has a twist tie in the upper edge to form to your nose, and an opening in the lining to insert filter media. I am happy to share my pattern with all who are interested.

Supplies for One Face Mask

• 10” x 14⅝” piece of quilting cotton
• Thread and wonder clips
• 6” plastic twist tie or pipe cleaner (Smaller lengths will work too if that is all you have. I like the twist tie better than the pipe cleaner.)
• 2 – 9¾” pieces of ⅛” or ¼” elastic (You can cut your elastic to whatever length is comfortable for you. This amount is a suggested starting point. You can also substitute a piece of homemade spandex cord or use twill tape ties instead.)

Jen’s Face Mask Instructions

Instead of creating a really long tutorial in WordPress, I created a pdf document that you can download with all the instructions for making my face mask. It’s pretty easy to make, but don’t be scared off because of the length of the instructions. The tutorial is long because I included a ton of photos to make the construction of the mask easy to understand. I also included an update to the folding instructions (Step 15) to make that step a little easier to follow. Click on the links below to download the documents.

Elastic Substitute – Spandex Cord

If you’ve run out of elastic, try homemade spandex cord instead. I ran out of elastic, and I came up with the idea of spandex cord, so I could continue making fabric masks for those in need. Watch my video on how to make spandex cord. https://overtheedge.blog/videos/how-to-make-spandex-cord-for-your-face-mask/ or read my blog post about how to make spandex cord.

Disclaimer

This homemade mask is not considered personal protective equipment by the CDC. Make fabric masks at your own discretion. For more information on face masks please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html

Another good website explaining personal protective equipment and face masks: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/homemade-face-masks-and-coronavirus-what-to-know-about-cdc-recommendations-and-n95/

Keeping the world healthy, one face mask at at time.

Happy Sewing and Serging!

Jen

Update on YouTube Video

This morning (Saturday, April 4, 2020), I was checking out YouTube and noticed that the video I originally watched to inspire me to make my face mask tutorial had been reposted. My tutorial is slightly different from the instructions in this video. In the video they turn the egde in twice to form the casing. I found that the thickness of the edge of the casing was difficult to sew, so I finish my side edges with a serger or zigzag stitch and turn them in once to make my casings. Here is a link to the video in case you would like to watch it. I think having both the written instructions and the video are helpful.