With everything going on in the world at the moment, facemasks have become more important than ever.
We rarely leave the house without one and they have become just as essential to carry around as our keys, driving license, and wallet!Single-use facemasks can quickly become expensive and are not fantastic for the environment.
Given this, many people have decided to use reusable face masks instead for day to day use. Although they are expensive to purchase in the first instance, they are a lot cheaper in the long run. They are worth investing in as they are easily washed and dried.
If you have been looking into the prices of facemasks, you may have been wondering whether it is worth making your own. It is fairly simple to do and is a great solution instead of buying facemasks in bulk.
In this article, we will be going into detail about how you can make a fitted facemask and all of the materials you will need.
We hope you find this article interesting!
What You Will Need
Here is everything you will need to make a fitted face mask:
- 100% Cotton fabric (the fabric can contain any type of pattern you like, feel free to get creative with the one you choose!)
- Scissors
- Elastic (Fairly thin - around ¼ of an inch thick)
- Sewing machine (you can sew manually if you do not own a sewing machine)
- Sewing Thread
- A soft wire that can be bent
- Wirecutter
- Pencil
- Sewing pins
How To Make A Fitted Face Mask
Here is how to make a fitted facemask.
If you follow our foolproof steps below you will be able to make one in no time!
Please note that we have included how to make a face mask without a filter in this guide.
Step One - Choosing Your Mask Template
Before creating your fitted face mask, you will need to either create or print off a face mask template. As everyone’s face shape and size are different, you will need to find one that is suitable for you.
Always remember that a face mask should fit well and not be loose. It should cover your nose and reach beneath your chin.
It is up to you if you choose to create a facemask with or without a filter. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) does recommend that your mask should be at three layers of fabric.
If you are unsure of what facemask shape is the best for you, take a photo of your face from a front and side angle to help you choose which one would be best.
Step Two - Cutting Your Fabric
Once you are happy with the template you have chosen, place it on top of your fabric and neatly cut around it. Alternatively, draw around the template with a pencil before cutting.
You will need to repeat this process four times on separate pieces of fabric. You should be left with four pieces that match your template.
Step Three - Pinning
Next, you will need to take two pieces of fabric and place them on top of each other, ensuring that they are placed the same way as each other.
Begin putting your sewing pins into the longer, rounded side of the mask to secure it in place. Repeat this process for the two leftover pieces of fabric.
Step Four - Sewing Your Pieces Together
Once you are happy with the pinning, you can begin to sew the two pieces of fabric together. You can either do this with a sewing machine or by hand. Sew around the whole of the two separate pieces and remove the pins once finished.
Next, you need to sew your two sets of fabric together. You will need to sew the seam along the longest side of the mask. We recommend sewing ⅜ inch center lining seam. Ensure both sets of two pieces are sewn together tightly.
Trim the seams if it is thick in the center, this will make the mask more comfortable and it will fit better.
Step Five - Cutting Your Elastic
Once you are happy with this, the next step is to sew and secure your elastic.
First, you will need to cut your elastic. The length may vary depending on the type of elastic you use and the shape of your face.
We would recommend cutting the elastic around 8 inches long. Measure it to your face to ensure you have enough before sewing on to the mask.
Step Six - Sewing Your Elastic
Pin the ends of your elastic to each side of the mask.
One piece of elastic should be used for each side. The elastic should be ⅜ of an inch from the top, bottom, and sides of the mask.
Once you are satisfied with the placement, secure in place. Remove the pins once finished.
Step Seven - Sewing Your Whole Mask
Now that you have the components of your mask complete, next, you will need to sew your whole mask together.
As you have done previously, sew with a ⅜ seam allowance.
Step Eight - Adding A Nose Wire
This step is optional, but a nose wire is a great way to make your mask more fitted and secure.
Cut a piece using your wire cutter that will fit the top peak of the mask and fits around your whole nose. The size will vary for each person, but it should be around 6 to 8 inches long.
You will then need to bend the ends of the wire to stop them from puncturing your mask and sew it to the inside of your mask where your nose will sit. Again ensure that it is not too close to the edge of the mask.
Step Nine - Pressing Your Mask
Before you do your final stitches, you will want to turn your mask inside out and press it.
This will remove any creases and you can see your stitching more clearly.
Step 10 - Final Stitches
To finish, topstitch your mask.
Ensure all of the fabric is securely stitched together and that there are no gaps.
Cut off any excess string.
Summary
We hope this article has helped you know how to make a fitted facemask.
As you can see, it is fairly easy to do.
Not only will it save you money by not having to purchase single-use masks, but they are also better for the environment too.