DIY Fabric Face Mask With Wire Nose Support. Washable, Reversible.

8 Materials
$2
15 Minutes
Medium

Editor's Note: This mask is not a N95 mask. It is meant to be used for general protection from coughing and sneezing when out in public. This is not protection in place of social distancing. At this time, it is best to stay home when possible. For necessary trips out, like trips to the grocery store, the CDC recommends wearing a mask to provide whatever protection you can for yourself and others.


You can help your loved ones and your community by sewing a fabric face mask. This is an easy beginner sewing project and a great way to help prevent the spread of infection (in addition to practice social distancing and washing your hands of course). Medical face masks are in high demand. Help fill the need with these washable, reversible masks that with wire nose support.

Check out the video tutorial


Watch the video tutorial for detailed instruction then follow the steps below:

Supplies


  • 2 cotton “fat quarters” of 100% cotton non-stretchy fabric
  • Coordinating thread
  • Scissors
  • Straight pins
  • Tape measure
  • ÂĽ inch elastic  cut into 7 inch long pieces
  • Iron and ironing board
  • 3 inch long 20 gauge wire
  • Wire cutters and pliers
  • Sewing machine
Download the template and cut it out


You can get access to the template here: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q9s3c6

Wash and dry your fabric


Before you begin, wash and dry your fabric. Iron if necessary to remove and wrinkles.

Cut your fabric rectangle according to the template.

Sew a pocket to insert the wire.


Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together and sew a seam at the top 1/4 inch from the edge. Sew another line underneath it to make a small area where you can insert the wire.

Insert the nose wire


Cut a 3 inch piece of craft wire and curl the edges. Insert it between the two rows you have stitched and center it.

Prevent the wire from moving


Prevent the wire from moving by sewing a line on either side of the wire to keep it in place.

Cut the elastics


Cut two 7 inch pieces of elastic and pin them to the fabric according to the template.

Sew a 1/4 hem all the way around


Once the elastics are in place sew a 1/4 hem all the way around the fabric leaving a small hole to flip the mask inside out.

Flip inside out and pin the pleats.


Take a tape measure and place a pin every inch from the bottom of the mask for 4 inches.

Pin pleats in place


Gather the fabric from the bottom pin and bring it to the pin on top. Remove pins and repin the pleat for sewing. Do the same with the top two pins. If this seems complicated- watch the video.

The mask should look like this


You can now sew the the sides of the mask to keep the pleats in place.

Side view of the pleats


This is what the pleats should look like from the side.

Finished mask


This is what the mask will look like finished.


Wear your mask and always use the same side touching your skin in-between washings. Wash in the laundry with your other clothing like normal. You can add a little bleach to the load for extra germ fighting power.

Resources for this project:
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Adrienne Carrie Hubbard | Crafty Little Gnome
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 21 questions
  • Barb Salvini Barb Salvini on Apr 04, 2020

    Looks easy....do you have a pattern for surgical caps??

  • Cindy Turner Cindy Turner on Apr 04, 2020

    Wouldn't it make more sense to have the opening at the bottom of the mask?

  • Carol Carol on Apr 06, 2020

    how do I down load?

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 151 comments
  • Casey Casey on May 09, 2020

    I just read that the folds of the pleats should face the bottom of the mask when you wear it, so maybe you should pin them the opposite way.

  • Hanna Hanna on Jul 09, 2020

    Thank you for this!

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