Easy DIY Cloth Mask You Can Sew [With Infographics]

With the shortage of surgical masks, people are learning to sew a cloth mask. In fact, medical workers are now asking for help via social media. Making protective masks for our doctors, nurses, and first responders is also a great way to support them.

If you’re among those who have taken an interest and/or in dire need of your own, you’ve come to the right post.

Below are two DIY face mask patterns you can sew with or without a sewing machine.

Note that you can always add an inner lining or washable filter in the mix.

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How to Make DIY Cloth Mask: 2 Sewing Patterns

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1. Cloth Mask Pattern 1

To make this mask, download the pattern here. Depending on whom you’re sewing for, I have sizes for men, women, teenagers, young kids, and small kids. Follow the instructions below:

• Select the size you plan to sew and cut.
• Take two pieces of 30 x 16 cm cloths. Put them on top of each other and then fold horizontally in half.
• Put the paper pattern on top of the cloths. Make sure that the smaller mouth of the pattern is on the open end of the fold.
• Use sewing pins to keep the pattern in place.
• Trace the pattern on the cloth using a fabric marker or pencil.
• Cut around the marking and make sure you keep a distance of 7 mm from it.
• Remove the paper pattern then, put back the sewing pins so your fold stays aligned.
• Hand stitch or use a sewing machine to stitch on the marking of the big mouth of the cloth.

Note: Where you stitch is the going to be the inner side of the mask.

• Once done, unfold your mask revealing the outer side. Spread the edges of the inner seam towards sides.
• Stitch the edges of the inner seam onto the body of the mask.
• Take another piece of 30 x 16 com cloth. Cut out the same pattern size from it.
• Stitch the center of your second cloth pattern so it looks the same as the first one on the outer side.
• Put the two patterns on top of each other, outer sides facing each other. Secure the edges in place using clips.
• Sew the remaining unstitched marking, leaving an opening in one corner.
• Create cuts on the edges of the inner seam. Then, cut out the four edgy corners.
• Reverse the mask to reveal the outer side by pulling it out from the open corner.
• Sew again on around the edges. Make sure you fold the edges of the open corner inside to have a clean finish.
• Fold the two sides 1 cm inward. Secure in place using clips. Stitch them in place, leaving an opening at their centers.
• Take two 25-cm long garters. Insert them into each folded side. You can use a hair clip for ease in insertion.
• Tie a knot at the ends of the garters to seal them in place.

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2. Cloth Mask Pattern 2

 

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A post shared by Tyng | Sewing x Sustainable (@madebytyng) on Mar 4, 2020 at 5:52am PST

• Take a 32 x 23 cm cloth. Fold horizontally in half, inner side out.
• Stitch the edges in place but leave an opening at the center.
• Cut out the edgy corners then, reverse the cloth to reveal the outer side.
• Again, sew around the edges.
• On one shorter side, make 6 consecutive 2-cm markings from a corner. Do the same on the opposite side.
• Make a fold by meeting the first 2-cm marking with the second. Secure with a clip. Do this with the third and fourth and then, the fifth and sixth. Make sure you’re folding upward.
• Do the same thing on the opposite side. By the time you finish folding, you’ll have three horizontal lines created by the folds at the center.
• Stitch edges of the folds in place.
• Fold the same edges 1 cm inward. Secure in place using clips.
• Sew them in place leaving an opening at their centers.
• Take two 25-cm long garters. Insert them into each folded side. You can use a hair clip for ease in insertion.
• Tie a knot at the ends of the garters to seal them in place.

Don’t forget to download, save, or share this handy infographic for reference:

Watch this video by Ae PooiM on how to sew these masks:

Whether you’re aiming to use your masks personally, gift them, or sell them, I hope you enjoyed my cloth mask tutorials. And, oh! I suggest you use a vacuum cleaner bag cloth or a thick dish towel for this so the filter’s good.

For whom are you sewing cloth masks for? Share with us who’s receiving your amazing DIY sewing project in the comments below!

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