Sewing A Fabric Face Mask
This particular post came about when I started sewing fabric face masks and donating them locally to people who needed them at the beginning of our world health pandemic. (You know what I’m talking about 😷 )
This fabric face mask sewing tutorial is all VIA videos with a bit of wording detail. I found that making these sewing video tutorials instead of a bunch of photos was much easier for this project. The great thing about videos is that you can ‘SEW ALONG’ pausing each video as needed.
While I was rewatching these videos, I REALLY talked about fabric grain lines and which grain lines were best for laying out the mask pieces . Patience please…after the first three videos you should have the grain line concept memorized! 😂
Materials Needed for Sewing Fabric Face Masks
Basic Sewing Tools and Sewing Machine
Cotton Fabric: 1/3 yard will make two masks and you’d be using the same fabric for the front and back of masks. (Watch first 3 videos for measurements and layout.) You could get two different fabrics each at 1/3 yard and you’ll have enough to make FOUR masks- this way the masks will have different fabric on the front and back. **If you are buying fabric you’ll need a 1/3 MINIMUM.
You can use fabric scraps: Each mask piece is 10″ wide (width grain) and 7″ long (length grain). There are two of these fabric pieces for each face mask. You’ll need four ties for each mask- ties are 1 1/2″ wide (width grain) and 18-20″ long (length grain)
Thread
Face Mask Video #1
This video introduces fabric grain lines and the best layout for the fabric face mask pieces.
Face Mask Video #2
Cutting mask tie pieces- There is about 20 seconds in this video where I have challenges cutting my fabric- Stuff happens! You can leave the fabric on the table while cutting along- I just needed to hold it so you could see what I’m doing and that was a bit challenging.
Face Mask Video #3
One more go around with fabric grain lines and cutting out the actual face mask pieces.
Face Mask Video #4
Detailed steps for preparing face mask ties for stitching AND preparation steps for filter pocket opening.
Face Mask Video #5
Pinning Stitched Ties to Mask Face Pieces
Face Mask Video #6
Sewing Fabric Face Mask and Ties together & Tips for sewing over the ties that are sandwiched between the face mask pieces. Trimming corners of mask before turning right side out.
Face Mask Video #7
Topstitching Face Mask and Adding Pleats. The actual topstitching is NOT shown in this video.
Directions for Topstitching– start on one side of the filter pocket and topstitch around to other side of filter pocket. (Picture explaining topstitching will be posted here soon!–In the video, you’ll be able to see the location of the topstitching. Do NOT topstitch over the filter pocket opening. After pinning the pleats, I verbally mention stitching pleats in from edge at 3/8″ but then when I’m sewing I actually stitch at 1/2″ from edge. (Watch the video…you’ll see what I’m talking about) Either amount works fine- you choose.
Congratulations! You have made it thru the Pleated Face Mask Sewing Tutorial video series!
Thanks for reading and Happy Simple Sewing to You!
For any questions about this post you can contact amy@amyssewingstudio.com