DIY Face Mask – Made in the USA - Inspired Quilting by Lea Louise

Updated with ‘Easier DIY Face Mask’ instructions below.

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Why Make a DIY Face Mask

When my husband went to work this week, the entire staff was each given a handkerchief to wear across their face. While it won’t protect anyone from germs, it will remind everyone not to touch their face. He asked me if there was a way to make it more comfortable and not so bulky.

Leave it to a quilter’s ingenuity, Pinterest, and YouTube to provide the answer. Watch Teancum from Sew Yeah Quilting teach how to make your very own DIY Face Mask! It’s a great instructional video and makes a wonderful face mask.

Remember that a face mask will not protect you from germs, but it will keep your hands away from your face. Therefore you’re less apt to touch your face.

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When I made a sample, I found a couple tricks to make it go together a bit easier for me and also adjusted the elastic length. My modifications are shown below.

I want to thank Teancum from Sew Yeah Quilting for putting out this video. It’s a great idea and a perfect project we can all work on right now. Not just for ourselves but also for others who may appreciate it.

How To Make Your Own Face Mask

photo of DIY Face Mask - Finished masks — A Pair of Finished DIY Face Masks

3 Shingle Pleated DIY Face Mask with Elastic Ear Wraps

Please watch the video first as this is Teancum’s tutorial and I’m just showing my modifications. You’ll see that my mask is sewn with white thread for better visibility. I hope you enjoy this project!

Remember that a face mask will not protect you from germs, but it will keep your hands away from your face. Therefore you’re less apt to touch your face.

photo of DIY Face Mask sewing half inch seam — First fold mask fabric in half and sew a 1/2″ seam along the 8″ side. MY CHANGE: Cut the side bindings to 2 1/2″ x 5″ instead of 2″ x 6″. Also cut the elastic to at least 7″. My husband actually preferred 8″ so it wouldn’t be too tight.

photo of DIY Face Mask sewing center seam and pressing open — Press the mask seam open and then fold and press both binding strips in half lengthwise

photo of DIY Face Mask Turning Fabric Tube and mark sides — Turn the fabric tube right side out and center the seam in the middle of the tube. Place the fabric tube seam-side down. Press well. Then mark both edges with pleat markings.

How To Fold The Pleats

photo of DIY Face Mask how to Pin Pleats — Pin the pleats by folding the first mark up to the second then pin in place. Next continue with the remaining two pleats.

photo of DIY Face Mask how to pin and Sew Pleats — Pin the pleats on the other side of mask and press well. Sew a 1/8″ seam on each side to hold folded pleats in place.

How to Attach the Elastic Ear Wraps

photo of DIY Face Mask how to loop and not fold elastic — Loop the elastic on each side of the mask being sure not to fold it. A loop will be more comfortable to wear.

photo of DIY Face Mask how to Sew binding on each end — To add the binding, first lay your mask flat with the elastic loops on top. Next place the binding under the mask as shown on the left hand side. Then fold the outer ends to the top side and pin in place. MY CHANGE: Note on the right hand side that the end is pinned with the corner angled just off the mask. The binding will sew easier with this modification.

photo of DIY Face Mask Closeup of folded binding ends — This closeup makes it easier to see the tips of the folded binding extending beyond the mask edge.

photo of DIY Face Mask Trimming binding — Now trim the extended corners off the binding to reduce bulk inside the folded binding.

photo of DIY Face Mask Closeup of turned binding — Turn the binding to the right side. See how the the corners are now slightly tucked in. This will make the sewing much easier and eliminate any exposed raw edges.

Photo of DIY Face Mask how to Fold and pin binding — Then fold the binding over the elastic of the mask, pin and press to make sewing easier. As you fold the binding, make sure the cut ends are tucked inside.

Photo of DIY Face Mask how to Sew binding — Use the stitch-in-the-ditch method to sew the binding.

photo of DIY Face Mask Finished mask — Your face mask is finished! Now have some fun and get creative with a few more for friends and family.

photo of DIY Face Mask First finished mask — This is the first mask I made which turned out well but it was a tight fit. I lengthened the elastic to 7″ which made a big difference.

photo of DIY Face Mask First mask closeup with twisted binding — My first mask was difficult to finish off nicely with a 2″ binding so I modified it to 2 1/2″. I also turned in the corners to reduce some bulk.

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‘Easier DIY Face Mask’

photo of Easiest DIY Face Mask Complete — Easiest DIY Face Mask

Here’s an Easier DIY Face Mask You’ll Love!

While the DIY Face Masks above are a great pattern and turn out well, this variation is even simpler. There are no side edges to finish and it goes together even quicker. Making DIY Face Masks is a world-wide effort and the easier they are the more we can make.

How To Make An Easier DIY Face Mask – Made in the USA

Start with the same size block of fabric measuring 8″ x 14″ (child size 7″ x 14″). Fold the fabric in half so your block measures 8″ x 7″ (child size 7″ x 7″). With a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew aproximately 2 1/2″ from the edge right off the fabric.

Using an 8″ piece of elastic (child size 7″), place each end diagonally into the corners of the side seam. With a 1/4″ seam sew from one end to the other securing the elastic into the seam. Repeat for second side seam.

photo of Easiest DIY Face Mask Step 1 Side seam with elastic angled into each corner. — Step 1 – Side seam with elastic angled into each corner.

photo of Easiest DIY Face Mask Step 2 Second side seam with elastic — Step 2 Second side seam with elastic

Easier DIY Face Mask Finishing

Once the sewing is completed, turn the mask right side out through the opening and press well. Be sure to fold the unsewn seam allowance into the mask .

Fold and pin the pleats the same way as above. Top stitch around the entire mask 1/8″ from the outside edge. This will secure the pleats and opening used to turn the mask right side out. Then sew a second row of 1/4″ top stitching along the sides to secure the pleats and elastic in place.

To make it easy, I just sewed around the entire mask a second time rather than trim those extra threads. Press the pleats in place and you’re finished!

photo of Easiest DIY Face Mask Step 3 Turn and press. — Step 3 – Turn and press. Then pin pleats and topstitch

How To Adjust The Size OF A DIY Face Mask

Another advantage to this mask assembly is that it’s very easy to adjust the size for each individual. The top stitched sides may easily be turned under and sewn right over the previous stitching to make the mask just a bit smaller. This is such an easy adjustment to make to ensure a good fit.

photo of 800 Easiest DIY Face Mask in two different styles — DIY Face Mask in two different styles

Here Are Some Fun DIY Face Mask Options

Get creative and make personalized sets for couples or families. These Easier DIY Face Masks are for a few different families with young children. They each love having their own individualize face mask!

photo of Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Star Wars Print — Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Star Wars Print

photo of Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Princess Print — Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Princess Print

photo of Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Scooby Doo Print — Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Scooby Doo Print

photo of Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Gamer Print — Easier DIY Face Mask Adult and Child Size_Gamer Print

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Comments

Sandra says

April 23, 2020 at 4:01 pm

Thank you for the simple and easy to follow directions I just made my first one!

- Lea Louise says
  
  April 26, 2020 at 2:56 pm
  
  Congrats to you Sandy! The updated version is a very easy modified pattern. I’m glad it worked out for you,
  Lea
  
  PS – We’ve gotta love our sisters, don’t we!
  
Marilyn Grant says

April 3, 2020 at 6:45 am

Thank you. for the DIY face mask. I am going to ask two friends/neighbors and fellow quilters to make some. My 23 year old granddaughter is working in a small grocery store in a small rural town and they do not have any. A local woman made some and brought them in for the staff. All staff were so grateful. When staff started wearing their own masks the boss told them to take them off because they would scare customers and if they didn’t he would fire them. They all petitioned and threatened to walk out if they were not allowed to wear them. Only then did he back off.

- Lea Louise says
  
  April 4, 2020 at 6:06 pm
  
  Hi Marilyn, I’m so glad you’ll have use for this face mask pattern. I’m surprised of the local management’s initial resistance for employees to wear them. Fortunately that worked itself out. Perhaps they could post a sign stating employees are wearing masks for their personal safety as well as the customers. That should make everyone feel assured. Our area grocery stores have already installed plexiglas shields in front of every cashier, and customers have no problem with it. Folks working together to solve problems will only make our immediate future much easier and less stressful!
  Thank you for making more masks available in your community,
  Lea
  
Denise says

March 24, 2020 at 2:53 pm

Thank you so much Lea. This has been so helpful to me. Ran out of elastic, so making ties instead. This still works for that too!!!😊

- Lea Louise says
  
  March 30, 2020 at 9:48 am
  
  Hi Denise,
  It seems lots of face masks are being made right now and narrow elastic is hard to find. But you are right that fabric ties work perfect! My local quilt shop sent out an email requesting face masks to help out the hospitals in town. I’m sure I’ll use up my elastic up quickly and will also be making ties. It might be worth getting some double fold bias tap since it’s already to sew. That would be much quicker to just cut and sew. I might even have some tucked away! Don’t you just love how a simple idea can evolve to fit any situation. Keep on sewing!!!
  Lea
  
Ilene says

March 23, 2020 at 8:14 pm

Have made 31 face masks today for our rural emergency services.

- Lea Louise says
  
  March 24, 2020 at 1:07 pm
  
  That’s AMAZING Ilene! Anything we can to do help others feel a bit more at ease is terrific! Keep up the great work,
  Lea
  
sheila palin says

March 23, 2020 at 9:47 am

Hi Thank you for the help making a mask very informative

- Lea Louise says
  
  March 24, 2020 at 1:05 pm
  
  Thank you Sheila! They are easy to make and it helps to reassure us that there are some small things we can do right now.
  Lea
  
Karen says

March 21, 2020 at 2:28 pm

SO SO CUTE!!! Love it!! I am on Chemo and may just make myself one!!! thanks!!

- Lea Louise says
  
  March 21, 2020 at 4:09 pm
  
  Hi Karen,thanks for that great tip! Hope you recover quickly and feeling great soon,
  Lea
  
Rebeccah says

March 21, 2020 at 1:44 pm

Very helpful – thank you!

- Lea Louise says
  
  March 21, 2020 at 4:07 pm
  
  Thanks Rebeccah!