I recently posted a free face mask pattern with a contrast trim and elastic ties here, but what if you don't have any elastic on hand you ask? Well fret not, the cubs have decided to write up another Easy Face Mask Pattern (without a contrast fabric) with fabric ties instead!
Materials needed:
1) 1 piece of Main fabric: 9 x 16 inches
2) 4 pieces of fabric tie fabric: 1.5 x 18 inches
3) 3-4cm flexible wire (I used a pipe cleaner from Bunnings!)
If you would prefer elastics:
1) 1 piece Main Fabric 9cm x 16cm
2) 2 pieces 6.5cm Elastic
3) 3-4cm piece of flexible wire
Step A: Prepare the fabric ties
1. With wrong sides together, fold down one of the short edges by 1/4 inches. Press flat.
2. With wrong sides together, fold in half along the long edge. Press flat to mark the midline.
3. Open up the fabric tie piece, and fold the long edges towards the midline. Press flat.
4. Fold down once more to create a fabric tie that is 3/8 inch wide.
5. Edgestitch around the sides of the fabric tie
6. Repeat step 1 to 4 for the other 3 fabric tie pieces.
Note: you can fold down both of the short edges to hide the raw edges, but the other end will be hidden in the mask anyway so I leave that edge raw :)
Step B: Prepare the mask
Optional: For this mask method, there will be exposed raw edges inside the mask if you are making it with a filter slot. I like to overlock the 4 edges of the main fabric, but the side seams will be hidden through a later step so you can choose to overlock just the filter slot edges.
Leave edges raw if not inserting a filter slot, we will slipstitch this close at the end
Alternatively, you can choose to finish the filter slot edges via topstitching following this pattern
7. Bring the short edges together.
8. Mark 2.5cm from the both edge, this will give you a 4cm filter slot
9. Sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance to the marks, then press the seam open.
10. Bring filter slot to the bottom (or center, up to your preference).
Step 3: Attach Elastics or Fabric Ties
11. Slip the ties or elastic into the mask
12. Use sewing clips or pins to pin the raw edge of the fabric ties or the elastic to the corners. The elastic is around 2cm shorter than the side of the face mask, so don't be surprised if the fabric doesn't want to lay flat!
13. Sew down the sides slowly with a 3/8 inch (1cm) seam allowance, being careful not to catch the fabric ties or elastic.
Step D: Add Pleats!
14. Turn mask right side out through the filter slot.
15. Mark a line 1.25 inches (32cm) from the top and bottom edge.
Mark 4 lines 1 inch (25cm) from these lines. You will have a total of 6 lines.
16. With the outside facing part of the mask facing up,
Bring the 1st line down to meet the 2nd line
Bring the 3rd line down to meet the 4th line
Bring the 5th line down to meet the 6th line
17. Sew down the sides! I like to do 2 rows of stitching (one at 1/8 inch, the second at 3/8 inch) to secure the pleats a little more
18. Slip stitch the filter pocket close if you prefer it without a pocket
Step E: Optional Nose Wire
19. Mark the midline at the top of the mask
Mark 2 lines, each around 1.5cm (if using 3cm nose wire) or 2cm (if using 4cm wire) from the midline
20. Sew from the first line to the second line with a 1/2 inch seam allowance (along the yellow line!)
21. Flip the mask inside out, and slot the flexible wire (or pipe cleaner!) through the nose wire slot
22. Flip mask back right way out. Bend the wire to fit over your nose.
23. Admire your beautiful hand made mask!
What sewing projects are you working on this week? Comment below and let the cubs know!
Paw Five,
♥Kendall and the Cubs♥
