Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Simple DIY fabric face mask with filter pocket (no pattern or sewing machine needed!)

Hi there,
Staying at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic with nothing to do seems to make me more creative than ever! And after a few days of making mask non-stop, it seems like I have overthrown the claim of the easiest face mask ever, because I have found a totally new way of making a fabric face mask which is even easier than that. You can make it – even without a sewing machine. All you have to do is sewing straight lines and do some fold. An easy task for some extra protection against the highly infectious COVID-19 virus.
And here is a simple photo tutorial of this easy DIY fabric mask with filter pocket.
What you’ll need:
– Needle and thread
– 1 piece of fabric with measurements below
– 2 pieces of 12.5cm (5in) long elastic cord (or strips cut from old T-shirt, pantyhose, bias tape, etc., anything that you can get your hands on

If you are looking for materials to make face mask, visit our little store here:
We have plastic nose wire, elastic, non-woven fabric for filters, anti-microbial fabric masks, hand made fabric masks to meet your needs. All items are ready in stock and will be shipped from Toronto, Canada. Same day shipping for orders before 3:00 PM. Free standard shipping for orders from US$75.00.
Fabric measurements:
For men, 20cm * 40cm (8in * 16in)
For women and teens, 18cm * 36cm (7 1/8 in * 14 1/4 in)
For kids, 16cm * 32cm (6 1/4 in * 12 1/2 in)
Sewing instruction:
Step 1: Fold one short end of the fabric piece twice to the wrong side and sew a narrow hem. Repeat with the other end. Draw two lines according to the picture shown below.


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
Step 2: Fold the fabric (right side of fabric facing in).


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
Step 3: Sew along the sides, leaving the top (with hemmed end) open.


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
Step 4: Trim the corners, turn the fabric inside out. Press if necessary. You will get something similar to a small pillow cover.


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
Step 5: Draw the center line of the mask. Draw two parallel lines 5cm (2in) from the center line (the red lines).


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
Step 6: Make a box pleat from the lines and pin to secure.


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
Step 7: Top stitch around the side of the mask, securing the pleat, leaving an opening at the top of the mask (with the flap). This is where you insert your filter in.


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
Step 8: Attach elastic to the sides of the mask. Actually you can do this from step 2, but because this tutorial is intended for inexperienced sewers, I think adding the elastic at this last step is easier.


Easy DIY two layer fabric mask with filter pocket
And here is the view for two sides of the mask. You can see the flap at the inside side of the mask.


Easy DIY fabric mask with filter pocket
You can put the filter in from the top of the mask:


Easy DIY fabric mask with filter pocket
And this is the mask on the very reluctant model (aka my hubby):


Easy DIY fabric mask with filter pocket
I definitely think that this DIY mask is better than any other masks, because it is quick to make and still has the ‘pocket’ to put the filter in for extra protection. It only requires a small piece of fabric (and as I have tried, a pillow cover can make up to 8 masks of this type). It is so simple that anyone can make it, even without a sewing machine.
The mask fits nicely on the face, even without nose wire. However, if you want to add one, just put it inside the top of the mask.
Now let’s try to make more masks. I am making and donate a dozen of them to the hospitals.
See my other posts in the DIY masks series here:
Stay home, sew masks, save lives!
Love,
Tiana

No comments:

Post a Comment