Simple Face Mask Tutorial By Dori Troutman
It’s incredible to me to see all the people sewing face masks by the hundreds and donating them to different places. The sewing community truly is amazing.
I also joined in to sew masks but I chose to share with family and friends (and friends of friends!). I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant at first because of all the speculation. Do they help? Are they medically approved? Are they just going to get tossed in the trash because they aren’t approved? There have been so many questions circulating that it made it very confusing. But I finally decided to sew them for family and friends that would be using them as a precaution and it felt very good to me. So today I’m excited to share a tutorial with you on how I make my simple face masks.
So lets get started! This mask is so simple and so quick to make! I have included pictures and detailed steps so that even a beginner sewist can make these.
Necessary Supplies:
- Two pieces of different fabrics cut to 8″ x 9″ in size for the mask
- Two pieces of fabric cut 1.5″ x 40″ in size for the ties
- One piece of SF101 fusible interfacing cut to 8″ x 8.5″ in size
- Clover Bias Tape Maker 18mm (Art. No 464/18)
- Clover Wonder Clips (Art. No 3185)
- Iron
Step 1: Gather your supplies. I recommend using two pieces of fabric scraps for the mask. (That way the user can remember which side of the mask was worn close to the face.) Cut them 8 inch by 9 inch.
Cut your SF 101 interfacing 8 inch by 8.5 inch. (You can make this mask without the interfacing, but I feel it creates a bit of a filter and keeps the mask firm and in place.)
Step 2: We are going to make the binding tape for your mask ties first. This is when you will use the Bias Tape Maker. Cut your fabric 1-1/2 inches wide by approximately 40 inches long. You will need two of these strips. At the end of each strip cut the fabric at a point so that it will slide into the Bias Tape Maker. Use a stitch ripper to push the fabric through to get it started if necessary.
NOTE: Typically, using the 18mm (red) Bias Tape Maker you would cut your fabric strips at 1-5/8 inch width. We want our ties to be a little narrower for our mask so cut it at the 1-1/2 inch width.
Step 3: Once your fabric end is through the Bias Tape Maker it will form a nice folded edge on each side. Use your hot iron to press these edges down firmly. I use a Clover Mini Iron, but a regular size iron will work as well. It will need to be hot to really press these edges crisp. Hold the little metal handle of the Bias Tape Maker with one hand and gently slide it away from the iron as you move to the end of the long strip of fabric. Repeat with the other long strip of fabric.
This is a very quick process with the Bias Tape Maker! If you don’t own one, I highly recommend that you purchase it!
Step 4: Fold and press the ends of your binding tape in 1/4 inch so that you have a finished edge for your ties.
Step 5: Now fold the long edges of your binding tape together and press the entire length. I use Wonder Clips every few inches to really hold these edges together. You can now set your binding tape aside until we are ready for it.
Step 6: Center the interfacing to one piece of your mask fabric, fusible side facing the wrong side of the fabric. It will be 1/4 inch shorter than the fabric on each end. Iron it in place, making sure that the interfacing fuses to the fabric. Now place your fabric pieces right sides together. Sew a 3/8 inch seam on the longer sides of the fabric. Leave the shorter ends open. (The black line in the picture above demonstrates where you will sew your seams.)
Step 7: Turn your fabric right sides out through the opening. Using your fingers, roll the edges smooth and then carefully press until the seams are flat and crisp.
Step 8: Lay your fabric on a cutting mat, with the raw edges at the sides. Using a ruler and an erasable fabric marker, you will mark both raw edge sides at the following intervals from the top of the fabric: 1 inch from top, 3.5 inches from top, 6 inches from top.
Step 9: At each of these intervals fold your fabric with the right side of your mask facing out. Press the fold with a hot iron.
Step 10: Fold under approximately a half inch of fabric at each of the pressed intervals forming pleats. Use a Wonder Clip on each fold to hold the pleats in place.
Press the pleats down in the center of the mask. This doesn’t have to be exact, but I try to make the edges approximately 3 inches in length on each side after pleats are in place. The most important thing is to make sure it the same on both sides.
Step 11: Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the pleated edges of the mask. Do not remove the Wonder Clips until your presser foot is right up next to them, as it is easy for the pleats to slip out of place.
Step 12: Using a ruler and rotary cutter (or a pair of scissors) cut off a small sliver of fabric next to the seam you just sewed. This just narrows the edge to be covered with the binding and also cleans it up so there are no hanging threads.
Step 13: Remove all the Wonder Clips from your long binding tape strips and fold them in half lengthwise, marking the half way point with a fabric marker.
Step 14: Open your binding tape and center the pleated edge of the mask at the midway mark. Fold the binding tape over and use Wonder Clips to hold it in place.
Step 15: Sew close to the open edge of the binding all the way from one end to the other, carefully enclosing the pleated edge into the binding. Repeat for the other side.
Wash and dry your mask and it is complete!
I’ve been placing mine in a little bag with a tag attached. It makes them special to share and adds a little brightness to a friends day. I hope you will make them too!
~ Dori ~
Disclaimer: Please remember that these are NOT medically approved, they are NOT proven to prevent COVID-19, they are made to use simply as a precaution when you need to be out in public in any way.
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