Links to free sewing patterns, instructions & tips.
If you’re a sewist looking to make DIY cloth face masks, we’ve pulled together some information for you. Our collaborator, Laura, at Trash To Couture has instructions to share for making masks with elastic and tie options. We have tips from teammates who have tested additional popular mask projects, with links to instructions and free patterns. We’ve also created a PDF tutorial that you can download and print to easily reference basic masks and FAQs. Please also note the blog updates that we have made as information becomes available or changes.
We’re providing this information because as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies run low across the nation, some health care facilities are accepting home-sewn face masks as supplemental supplies. If you are interested in participating, we encourage you to reach out to your local hospital and see what they are accepting or needing.
Blog post updates as information becomes available or changes.
Update 4/30/20: we have updated our tutorials. Download this tutorial with mask instructions for 3 easy mask styles (super easy/beginner/a bit more sewing); this includes a sewing pattern for the 3rd style. Download these tips & FAQs. Both documents are in PDF format, so they are easy to reference, print and review. We’ve gathered this information to address specific project and product questions we’ve received from our sewists and makers over the last several weeks.
Update 4/6/20: please note these CDC recommendations regarding the use of cloth face coverings in public.
Please note: DIY face masks are not intended to prevent infection or disease.
Trash To Couture face mask tutorial.
Jump over to Trash To Couture to grab the sewing tutorial for the face masks that Laura created.
These face masks call for Dritz ¼” braided elastic; it comes in 3 yard and 8 yard packages. Note that 1/8” braided elastic will work as well.
Optional loops with fabric.
If elastic is not available or on-hand, there are options provided in the tutorial for using jersey T-shirt fabric in place of elastic. The first option is to create loops with fabric.
Optional ties with fabric.
The second option is to use the jersey T-shirt fabric to make ties.
Fabric straps made with bias tape.
If you’re familiar with using a bias tape maker you can make fabric straps out of bias tape.
All the options from Trash To Couture.
Visit Laura’s full blog post to see full instructions for all of the different techniques, and materials needed for each.
Craft Passion face mask tutorial and free pattern.
This mask was created using a pattern from Craft Passion by our teammate, Robin. This project calls for elastic cord. Any elastic between 1/8”-5/8” can be used to make this pattern. There are many products in this width in the Dritz range. Mask shown uses ¼” white elastic.
Visit this page over at Craft Passion to see the full instructions, tips and comments from other makers, and to download the free pattern. Make sure to add a seam allowance to the free PDF template.
Robin’s pro tip.
Before cutting fabric to make a large quantity of face masks, cut fabric and make one face mask to completion to ensure everything is correct!
Also, in the interest of time, the top stitching step was not done on this mask.
Super easy face mask with cord.
Robin has been making a lot of face masks for her community, and she came up with this style that uses cord instead of elastic.
Just four quick steps for this easy mask.
- Cut 2 pieces of fabric 6″ x 9″ and sew them with right-sides together as marked by the black lines. Note the spots you skip.
- Turn mask right side out using the gap you didn’t sew.
- Top stitch around mask as highlighted. This creates 2 channels on each end of the mask.
- Pull 60″ of cord up through one channel then back down through the other using a Clip ‘N Turn tool.
Paradiso Designs face mask tutorial and free pattern.
This mask was created using a pattern from Paradiso Designs by Cheryl Kuczek by our teammate, Amy, using ¼” elastic. Grab the free pattern and instructions here.
Elastic supply details.
At the time of this blog post’s publication, the supply of elastic in the US retail market is tight. Search for Dritz elastic online and continue to reach out to retailers regularly as the supply situation continues to change.
Follow Dritz on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter (in the footer/bottom of this blog) as we’ll be sharing information in these spaces to keep you informed. Check our DIY cloth face masks tag for all blog information pertaining to mask-making.
