A Sewers’ Dozen: Face Masks for Everyone
Post Update! As of May 11, my daughter and I have made & delivered 82 face masks – 90% of them free of charge. We’ve shipped to Pennsylvania, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, Tennessee, Idaho, New York, California and Australia!
Small Goals. Little Wins. Something to feel good about!
Face Masks. Quite a controversial topic right now . . . which is sort of weird. Who knew we should have asked for a king-size pack of toilet paper and a face mask for Christmas – right!? Anyway, in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the CDC is now recommending EVERYONE wear a face mask when outside their home.
I know. I know. DIY face masks do not fully protect one from Covid-19 BUT here’s my spin. It gives me peace of mind. Wearing a face mask prevents me from accidentally coughing or sneezing on anyone. The mask also helps me not touch my face . . . and then other stuff – like the grocery cart. There’s also an additional bonus I’ve considered . . . when wearing a face mask, I can leave the house without any make-up, I don’t kill people with my coffee breath and, truthfully – I feel a little bit like a Ninja. So, there’s that . . .
Bottom line, as an added layer of protection, we are all being asked to wear face masks and I think we all agree the hi-tech, super-duper models should be reserved for healthcare workers. They (and therefore their families) are truly on the front line of this Covid-19 battle. So DIY masks it is. . . and since not everyone can sew, I’m encourage sewing enthusiasts to break out the fabric scrap stash and put needle to cloth to make sure EVERYONE who wants a face mask has one.
TAKE THE
Sewers’ Dozen Face Mask Challenge
Let’s bundle up all our skill and crafty enthusiasm to make sure there’s not a single person in our circle that is feeling vulnerable or afraid for the simple fact of not having a face mask. I know many manufacturing companies are turning their production over to making masks and eventually there will be plenty high quality versions for everyone but until then . . . your mad sewing skills may never be more appreciated than right now!
The challenge is super simple with only two key steps. MAKE and GIVE.
First, MAKE A DOZEN FACE MASKS
Download a face mask pattern – any pattern you like. There are a ton of them out there.
The Crafty Composition (ACC) Face Mask Pattern and the Removable Filter Pattern are available at the buttons above. Full printable ACC Face Mask Instructions are at the bottom of this post.
The ACC face mask is a blend of two different hospital-influenced patterns with tweaks made for coverage, comfort and durability. It has a flexible wire for an adjustable fit over the nose and a pocket where a disposable filter can be placed. The mask can be worn with around-the-ear elastic straps or a twill tape/ribbon tied at the back of the head.
The optional filters slide right into the back pocket of the ACC Face Mask and give you added protection.
The ACC Face Mask whips out in about 25 minutes but may be difficult for a beginner. Here are some of my favorite tutorials offering a simpler style of face mask for new sewers.
And this NO SEW version at The Art of Doing Stuff
Then, GIVE A DOZEN FACE MASKS
Check in with family members, friends, neighbors, clergy, assisted living facilities, grocery store clerks . . . anyone in your life radius who wants one. Don’t forget to practice social distancing when you do this. Together, one by one, we’ll get everyone covered.
Face Mask hygiene tips: Wash before you wear the face mask for the first time. Wash the mask after each use. Remove face masks by the straps. Don’t lay used face masks on counters/tabletops or put them in your purse. Keep a little box or pail to drop used masks into – then just plop them into the wash. Always wash or sanitize your hands after removing your face mask.
Feel like making more than a dozen face masks? You can find a list of hospitals in need of face masks at SEW CAN SHE. There has been a huge push for sewing face masks lately so check in with the organization before making/sending them DIY masks to ensure they still have a need. Caroline of Sew Can She also has a great video tutorial for the “Olsen Mask” which is one of two mask designs I based my pattern on.
It doesn’t matter which pattern you choose, just get busy!
Please remember, these masks DON’T need to be perfect – just durable. They will be washed A LOT so remember to always pre-wash your fabric and back stitch your seams.
SHARE
I love to see all the fun fabrics people are using for these masks. If you are on Instagram, please post pics of your DIY face masks followed by the hashtag #SEWERSDOZENFACEMASKCHALLENGE. This way we can all follow along and offer kudos to you amazing sewers.
#SEWERSDOZENFACEMASKCHALLENGE
Of course, I always LOVE when you post in the comment section of A CRAFTY COMPOSITION – it’s down at the bottom of each post. Yep, keep scrolling . . . after the instructions – it’s down there.
Adult Face Mask with Wire @ Nose and Pocket for Filter
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
- Iron
Ingredients
- 2 patterns You can find the mask patterns at A Crafty Composition's Sewers' Dozen Face Mask Challenge
- 1 piece 16" x 7.5" PRE-WASHED cotton fabric (Face Mask's Outside)
- 1 piece 14" x 7.5" PRE-WASHED cotton fabric of a different color or pattern than the other fabric (Face Mask's Inside)
- 1 spool sewing thread
- 3 inch piece of wire, doubled pipe-cleaner, or other flexible metal
- 8 inches 1/4" elastic, for ear loops – OR
- 1 yard 1/2" cotton twill or ribbon, for strap around head
OPTIONAL
- 1 piece soft cotton batting to encase the nose wire
Instructions
PREP
- IMPORTANT! Pre-wash, dry and iron all fabric
- Print out the face mask templates from A Crafty Composition Sewers' Dozen Face Mask Challenge. Verify proper sizing by measuring the 1" test box.
- Cut out the templates
TRACING AND CUTTING THE PIECES
- Decide which fabric is your front or "outside" piece and which is your back or "inside piece
- Fold each piece of fabric in half with the right(good) sides together.
- Lay the template (downloaded from the blog post) onto each piece of fabric. The 'Outside' template goes on the 16" fabric piece and the "Inside" template goes on the 14" piece.
- Trace the template onto the fabric
- Cut the traced image. Because the fabric was folded in half, you will get TWO pieces of each template
SEWING THE MASK – use 3/8" seams
- STEP 1: Sew the two "inside" pieces together at the outer curve. Sew the two "outside pieces together at the outer curve. Now you have 1 full "inside" piece and 1 full "outside piece". Note: It's helpful to notch the outer curve and gently press the seam
- STEP 2: On the "inside" piece only – fold each end twice and stitch. Press.
- STEP 3: Place the "inside" piece and the "outside" piece on top of each other with the right (good) sides of fabric together. Carefully line up the middle seam, both at the nose and at the bottom of the mask. Pin
- STEP 4: Working on the inside of the face mask, sew a 3/8" seam STARTING JUST OUTSIDE the folded end of the "inside" piece and stitching across to just outside the opposite end of the "inside piece. You will do this along the top AND the bottom of the mask.
- STEP 5: Working on the inside of the face mask, center the piece of metal wire across the top of the mask. The metal will be placed to the RIGHT of the stitch (in the seam). ZIG ZAG machine stitch or HAND WHIP STITCH the metal to the fabric.
- STEP 6: Turn the mask right side out and carefully flatten and press the seams.
- STEP 7: Working on the inside of the face mask, fold in each end of the "outside" piece 3/8". Press. Now stitch down the side and end folds of this "outside" piece – do this on both ends. MAKE SURE NOT TO CATCH THE INSIDE PIECE IN YOUR STITCH
- Working on the inside of the mask, Fold each end of the "outside"piece in, tucking it into the pocket formed by the "inside" piece. Make sure the ends are tucked into the pocket by about 1/4" to 3/8". Press. This creates the channel that the elastic or twill straps will run through.
- Working on the inside of the face mask (the picture show the outside of the face mask), start a 3/8" stitch on the top/left – just outside the inside pocket. Work across the top of the mask, stop and pivot just outside the opposite end of the inside pocket. Continue stitching right along the outside of the inside pocket (but not on it). Stop and pivot again to sew a 3/8" stitch across the bottom of the mask, stop and pivot just outside the inside pocket. Continue stitching right along the outside of the inside pocket (but not on it). End in the left top corner, where you first started. DON'T SEW ACROSS THE CHANNEL MADE FOR THE STRAPS IN THE PREVIOUS STEP.
- PRESS the entire mask
STRAPS
- For ear straps, using a safety pin to help guide, run the elastic through the strap channel. Tie the elastic ends together securely
- For head straps, looking at the inside of the mask and using a safety pin to help guide, run the twill/ribbon up the BOTTOM LEFT strap channel, out the TOP LEFT strap channel, in the TOP RIGHT strap channel and out the BOTTOM RIGHT strap channel. This will provide a double, adjustable strap to go around the back of the head. You may want to make knots at each end of the twill to prevent it from being pulled out of the channel.
The Filter Pocket
- The inside pocket of your face mask is for an optional filter. Please refer to this video and the Sewers' Challenge blog post on www.acraftycomposition.com for instructions/templates for DIY filters. The filters must be removed prior to washing your face mask.
SAFETY TIPS FOR USING MASKS
- Always wear your face mask with the filter pocket against your mouth. That is why you use two different colors/patterns of fabric – so you know at a glance which side goes against your face.
- Try to only touch the straps when taking off your mask.
- Don't lay your used face mask on counters/tables or place in purses or backpacks. Perhaps carry a ziplock-style bag with you to place your mask in after using. The mask can then be dumped directly out of the bag and into the wash.
- Wash your face mask after every use.
- Wash you hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer after removing your used mask.
- Don't share face masks.
8 COMMENTS
COMMENTS (I love hearing from you!)
BARB Bouvette | 7th Jun 20
Great site. I want to subscribe to your blog but I don’t see where to do that except here. Usually most sites have it at the top- easy to find. Yes this was harder lol
JoElle | 7th Jun 20
Hi Barb! Thanks so much for your comment. There is a “Subscribe Now” section on my right Sidebar BUT I just realized if one is viewing on a smart phone, they must scroll way way way down to the bottom of a post to see that section. No Bueno ~ so thanks for your comment and bringing that to my attention. Here’s the link SUBSCRIBE NOW. Make sure to check your email to confirm your subscription (it might go to your spam). Thanks again for your comment and welcome to A Crafty Composition.
Maria Conti | 9th Apr 20
Thank you Jo Elle. 🥰
JoElle | 11th Apr 20
You are very welcome Maria!
Vikki | 9th Apr 20
Thank you to all you sew-ers who are helping out from home!! This is a great post and will help so many who are wanting to do this.
JoElle | 9th Apr 20
Thanks Vikki. I love how people, crafty people in particular, pull together to get things done. We are all eager to keep busy and feel like we are contributing. Plus, fabric is just a cheerful thing. It makes my heart sing (and make rhymes apparently 🙂
Tania | 8th Apr 20
Love your facemasks! They are so bright and cheery, just what people need right now!
Tania
JoElle | 9th Apr 20
Thank you so much Tania. Every little thing helps and believe me, I’ve got quite the scrap fabric stash. It’s fun to pull the scraps out and remember the things I’ve made in the past. Hope you are staying healthy!