How to Make Your Own Face Mask

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Duration: 34:47

Depending on the time of year, germs can be all around us. Having your own face mask to wear can be a good way to limit the potential spread of germs. Nicki LaFoille shows you how to quickly and easily make your own face mask from small amounts of cotton fabric and thin elastic. She also provides a simple pattern piece download.

Make sure to also catch managing editor, Ashley Hough’s, Facebook live event answering you’re questions about face masks!

*Disclaimer: This mask is not designed to prevent you from getting sick and is not an alternative for best practices recommended by the CDC. This mask is a supplemental tool that can help you avoid touching your face.

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Make Your Own Face Mask

Nicki begins by talking about the materials you will need to make your own face mask, which are the pattern piece, fabric and elastic. She explains what kind of fabric is good to use as well as the width and type of elastic that is good to use and why. She then explains how to cut out the pattern pieces for the outer and lining pieces and tells you how many of each you will need.

Nicki then shows how to assemble the outer and lining pieces and how to trim the seam allowances so that there is less bulk in all of the seams. Once the outer and lining pieces have been stitched at the center front, Nicki shows how to assemble, press and topstitch the outer and lining pieces together.

The last step that Nicki demonstrates is how to attach the elastic.

While some face masks have only one strip of elastic that goes around the back of your head, Nicki shows how to attach two shorter lengths to each end that can be worn around the ears. Once you have your face mask made, Nicki recommends washing it before using so you can ensure that you have a clean face mask.

While face masks are of course good for trying to cut down on the potential spread of germs when people cough and breathe, Nicki explains that they are also a great way to keep both adults and kids from touching their faces.

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71 Responses to “How to Make Your Own Face Mask”

  1. Saundra

    I love this face mask, but unable to download in my PDF can you please give me the measurements or can I buy the pattern from you.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Saundra,
      I have emailed the PDF for Face Mask to your email kayever@att.net.

      Please reach out to us again if you have further questions.
      Sincerely,
      Danesha
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  2. Rachel

    On the pattern piece download.
    1. there should be a 1 inch square on it so everyone can be positive that they are printing at the right scale.
    2. The HUGE EXTRA BOLD writing FLU MASK PATTERN??? why? I sure wasted a lot of ink there and it served no purpose.
    sorry, It’s just upsetting because there are tons of free utube video services for most everything you have and the pattern quality is excellent and makes sense.
    I really hope you change it.. ty

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Rachel,

      Thank you for your feedback. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.

      If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or contact Customer Service at 1-855-208-7187.

      Sincerely,

      Joan
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  3. Laura Hollywood

    Is it possible to add closed captioning for the hearing impaired to the videos!

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Laura,

      Thank you for your feedback! Unfortunately, at this time, our videos do not feature CC. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction!

      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  4. craftykitten

    A simple way to prevent the problem when first starting to sew the mask: use a scrap piece of fabric. Sew that until the end, then butt the end of the mask to the needle. It will continue stitching fine, or use the scrap piece to guide the mask through.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Mumtaz!

      To download the pattern, you’ll need to look at the description underneath the video player. It’ll state in pink font where to click and download the pattern!

      Thanks!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Memberhsip

      Reply
  5. Pamela Norton

    I’d like to know what kind of ironing mat you’re using in the video. Seems very useful.
    Also would like to know how to make an opening for inserting a filter into the mask. Thanks!
    Thanks.

    Reply
  6. Adejuwon Adamson

    Hello Nicki
    Please want to ask if you have a tutorial of your hand pins holder.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  7. Andrew Sawyer

    The middle is supposed to be accessible so a middle filter may be added. They way elastic is sealed over both top and bottom prevent that in this video if i understand properly

    Reply
  8. kimberly reid

    I’d like to make one for my 8-year-old grandson, how much smaller do you think I should cut it?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Kimberly,

      Thank you for contacting us, Sorry for the long delay.

      Here is what Ashley had to say:

      I would recommend starting with 1/4″ smaller on all edges and seeing how that fits. It’s always easier to trim a patter smaller if needed.

      If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-208-7187, or chat with us on our site.

      We greatly appreciate your business!

      Sincerely,

      Joan
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Nancy!

      The directions are in the video and to find the pattern, you’ll read the description below the video. In pink you’ll find the words “simple pattern piece download.” You’ll click on this to download the pattern, shown in the video.

      Thank you!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lisa!

      Yep! The download is available in the video’s description!

      Thank you!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Anna!

      I’m so sorry! What you’ll want to make sure is to download it onto your computer. It is not available for download via mobile device or iPad.

      Thank you!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Denise Bone

      If you have an iPhone, just click on the link to open it. Then hit the button at the bottom that you usually use to forward/send things. You can then scroll down & hit “print”. You can also scroll down further & save it to iBooks, the cloud, or to a Documents app. Hope that helps!

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Odette!

      The pattern is located in the video’s description underneath the video itself. You’ll see the sentence “She also provides a simple pattern piece download”. You’ll click on this to open up the face mask pattern.

      Thank you!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  9. leah

    One person said this pattern could be cut with front and back as one piece. don’t understand. I understand that front and back can be cut at same time…using same or different fabrics. Then cutting lining/back 1/2 ” shorter. but what about getting that curve. How would you get shaping in that area? Maybe I’m not understanding her tip.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Leah!

      That’s a great question and we’d love to help!

      The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!

      Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:

      1. Click on the email link: https://go.nationalsewingcircle.com/C21677
      2. Click on the Premium Membership offer.
      3. The Checkout page will display your Premium Membership purchase.
      4. Fill in your Billing Details and create an account password.
      5. Fill in your debit/credit card information.
      6. Finish by clicking Complete Order.

      If you have any further questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-855-208-7187 at your earliest convenience, or chat with us on our site.

      We greatly appreciate your business!

      Sincerely,

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  10. semra.peksoz

    Could you show a version that has a metal piece for shaping around the nose.

    Reply
  11. Linda

    Mask seemed a bit small for my husband; fit me fine. I tested mask for a 2 hour shopping trip and my ears got sore. I had used thin, roped elastic. Instead, I made a 2 inch wide tie the WOF, double folded it and threaded it through looping it at the top and both ends coming out bottom. Ties are preferred in medical field and are so much more comfortable!

    Reply
  12. Sheila

    I just want to say thank you, Nicki, not only for the video and pattern, but the public service. I’m sharing it all on Facebook. Nice work!

    Reply
  13. Pauline

    At the beginning of the video, she points out that the lining is smaller than the outside, yet only one size pattern piece is provided. Please clarify

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Pauline!

      That’s a great question and we’d love to help!

      The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!

      Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:

      1. Click on the email link: https://go.nationalsewingcircle.com/C21677
      2. Click on the Premium Membership offer.
      3. The Checkout page will display your Premium Membership purchase.
      4. Fill in your Billing Details and create an account password.
      5. Fill in your debit/credit card information.
      6. Finish by clicking Complete Order.

      If you have any further questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-855-208-7187 at your earliest convenience, or chat with us on our site.

      We greatly appreciate your business!

      Sincerely,

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  14. Sheena Singh

    Beautiful! Such a neat piece of work , everyone should have. I wish I hadn’t sewn mine before seeing this neater one !
    Thank you very much, in going to try this for sure.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Anna!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Make sure you’re downloading the PDF to your computer as mobile devices (unless you have a PDF app on your phone) cannot download PDFs.

      Thank you!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
  15. Cathy Hughes

    I don’t have a printer to download. How can I get the measurements need to make masks? Please

    Reply
    • Denise Bone, RN

      I would use nonwoven iron-on interfacing on the inside. That way, you get 4 layers, & you get the nonwoven material that’s recommended.

      Reply
      • Denise Martinez

        But can you breath, with the 4th layer (or even the 3rd layer)? Especially with the interfacing?

        Reply
        • Sharon Hughes

          I am about to make this one, but in a class I took we used interfacing for a 3rd layer and it’s no problem to breath through 🙂

          Reply
  16. Robin

    Hi. The front and back of the mask can each be cut out as 1 piece, saving the need to sew each one together. Also, be sure to check the fit of the mask over your ear before cutting the elastic after you have knotted it.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Theresa!

      For sure! You’ll see a description box underneath the video itself. The download link is highlighted in pink and reads “simple pattern piece download.”

      If you have any other questions, feel free to chat with us on the website or call 1-855-208-7187.

      Thanks!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Vermella!

      Thank you for the feedback! I will forward this to our team!

      Sincerely,

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lou,

      I’m sorry but there are no written instructions only what is with the download: https://www.nationalsewingcircle.com/video/how-to-make-your-own-flu-mask/

      *Disclaimer: This mask is not designed to prevent you from getting sick and is not an alternative for best practices recommended by the CDC. This mask is a supplemental tool that can help you avoid touching your face.

      If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-208-7187, or chat with us on our site.

      We greatly appreciate your business!
      Sincerely,

      Joan
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Betsy,

      Thank you for contacting us. There is no size stated it only has the template in the download.

      *Disclaimer: This mask is not designed to prevent you from getting sick and is not an alternative for best practices recommended by the CDC. This mask is a supplemental tool that can help you avoid touching your face.

      If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-208-7187, or chat with us on our site.

      We greatly appreciate your business!
      Sincerely,

      Joan
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Elaine,

      I’m very sorry to hear that! We’d love to help!

      What issue where you running into when downloading the pattern?

      Thank you!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
      • Sheila

        I downloaded the pattern. But I’m only getting one side. Is this the outer or inner piece?

        Reply
        • Customer Service

          Hello Sheila!

          Thanks for commenting!

          The pattern is explained in more detail when you view the video!

          Thank you!

          Jessica
          National Sewing Circle Video Membership

          Reply
          • Lee Reynolds

            I want to put in a pipe cleaner in above the nose how can I do this?

            Reply
          • Customer Service

            Hello Lee,

            We have received the following response from our experts regarding your question:

            You can insert the pipe cleaner between the layers of the outer and inner fabric before you finish off the short edges. You may also want to sew slightly below the pipe cleaner after you insert it to create a “casing” for it so that it doesn’t fall down.

            Sincerely,

            Terri
            National Sewing Circle Video Membership

            Reply
    • Sylvia

      Can you sent me the template measurements or pattern? I’m trying to figure it out from your mat….but it’s a total guessing game. Thanks so much.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lola!

      I’m very sorry to hear that! We’d love to help!

      What issue where you running into when downloading the pattern?

      Thank you!

      Jessica
      National Sewing Circle Video Membership

      Reply
    • Dale Hunter-Aubichon

      Please ignore my question; i have located the pattern download. 🙂

      Reply
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