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.

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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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• 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.

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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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