Felt Fox Mask: Hand-Drawn Pattern and Blanket Stitch
Step-by-step master class for a felt fox mask: measure the child's forehead from temple to temple, draw the base, nose, lashes, and ear pieces, cut the details without seam allowances, sew on the decoration, attach ribbon or elastic, and join the layers with blanket stitch.
BeginnerFree
Translated
Things you will learn
The author draws the pattern by hand using the child's forehead measurement from one temple to the other.
The base is made from 1-2 sheets of firm 20x30 cm felt, and the decoration from medium-weight felt and gold foamiran.
No seam allowances are needed: trace the pieces, cut them out, and place them on the base.
Attach the ribbon or elastic to the second base near the eye openings so the knots end up inside after sewing.
From the discussion: ribbons and pieces are more reliable when sewn wherever possible; medium-weight felt creases less than very firm felt.
What you will get
A soft carnival fox mask with two base layers. The front holds the decorative pieces, and the back layer hides the knots from the ribbon or elastic.
Materials and tools
Materials
Firm felt for the base, 1-2 20x30 cm sheets, for the two mask layers
Medium-weight felt for decoration, white, black, and bright orange
Gold foamiran, 1 20x30 cm sheet, for the lashes
Threads, orange, black, and white
Satin ribbon or elastic, 50 cm, for tying the mask or fitting it on the head
Hot glue sticks, for extra fastening and foamiran lashes
Paper for the pattern, the base, nose, lashes, and inner ear pieces are drawn separately
Thread for whiskers, in the source the whiskers are embroidered; the discussion suggests starched threads as an option
Felt in other colors for variations, the discussion shows that the same method can be used for an owl, deer, wolf, bunny, or mouse
Tools
Darning needle, for hand stitching and embroidering the whiskers
Hot glue gun, for extra fastening and foamiran details
Scissors, for felt, foamiran, and the paper pattern
Pencil, for transferring the pattern to the material
Pins, useful for temporarily holding the layers and ribbon
Preparation
Take the measurement
Measure the child's forehead from one temple to the other. Draw the mask base to this width so the eye openings and ties sit in comfortable places.
Separate the pattern into pieces
Besides the base, you need separate templates for the nose, lashes, and inner ear pieces. Do not add seam allowances: the pieces are cut along the outline.
Choose ribbon or elastic
The source allows satin ribbon or elastic. In the discussion, elastic is described as convenient, while ribbons are best sewn on if you need a stronger hold.
Pattern and cutting
First prepare the paper templates and cut all pieces. The fox shape is drawn freely, but it should be based on the actual forehead width.
Draw the base and small pieces
Draw the pattern by hand using the measurement from temple to temple. Prepare separate templates for the base, nose, lashes, and inner ear pieces.
The author draws the pattern by hand using the child's measurement.
The size depends on the child
Do not copy the mask from a photo one-to-one: first check the width and eye placement.
Transfer the pieces to felt and foamiran
Transfer the patterns to the materials in the needed colors, trace them with a pencil, and cut them out. Seam allowances are not needed. Cut the eye openings in the base.
The pieces are transferred to the materials and cut without seam allowances.
Front side of the mask
Sew the decorative pieces to the front base first, then embroider the whiskers.
Sew on the face details
Sew the nose, orange face detail, and inner ear pieces onto the face base. Place them symmetrically around the eye openings.
The face decoration is sewn to the front base.
Embroider the whiskers
Embroider the whiskers with black thread. The discussion suggests starched threads as an option, but the base master class shows embroidery.
The whiskers are embroidered with black thread.Before assembly, the front side already has the nose, ears, and whiskers.
Ties, back layer, and assembly
The second layer hides the tie knots and makes the wrong side of the mask neat.
Attach ribbon or elastic to the second base
Attach the ribbons or elastic to the second, undecorated base in the corners near the eye openings. Place the knot on the wrong side so it ends up inside after sewing the layers together.
Place the knot so it ends up between the layers.
You can sew it on
The discussion recommends not only gluing but also carefully machine-stitching or hand-sewing the ribbons for better reliability.
Secure the fastening with glue
Use a hot glue gun for extra hold. Work carefully: hot glue is needed only at the fastening points that will later sit between the layers.
Hot glue is used as extra fastening for the tie.
Join the front and back with blanket stitch
Place the front and back bases together and sew them around the perimeter with blanket stitch. Finish the eye openings the same way.
The front and back are sewn around the perimeter and around the eyes.
Glue on the foamiran lashes
Glue the gold lashes as shown in the photo. Pieces that can be sewn are better sewn: in the discussion the author notes separately that glue alone can fail.
The final detail is gold foamiran lashes.
Finish and variations
Finish
Before the performance
Try the mask on in advance: check the field of view, ribbon or elastic tension, and whether the knots inside the layers press anywhere.
Storage
Store the mask flat without pressing the ears and lashes so the felt and foamiran do not crease.
Variations
Other animal masks
In the discussion, the author shows that this method can be used for an owl, deer, and wolf. Participants also discuss a bunny and a mouse: you can draw the base yourself and change the ears, nose, and color details.
Elastic instead of ribbon
Elastic is convenient when the mask needs to be put on and taken off quickly. Ribbon looks more festive, but it is especially important to secure it well between the layers.
The pattern was copied without measuring the child.
How to fix it
First measure the forehead from temple to temple and check the eye placement on the paper pattern, then transfer the shape to felt.
The felt creases
Problem
Visible creases appear on the mask.
Likely cause
The base is made from felt that is too firm.
How to fix it
The discussion suggests using medium-weight felt or adding small darts at the temples and at the base of the ears if the shape needs volume.
The ribbons do not hold securely
Problem
The ties may tear off during wear.
Likely cause
The fastening is held only with glue.
How to fix it
Attach the ribbons or elastic to the second base and sew them if possible. Use glue as extra fastening.
Decoration may come loose
Problem
Small pieces are held only with glue.
Likely cause
Felt and foamiran are glued without stitching where the detail could have been sewn.
How to fix it
It is better to sew felt details. Save glue for extra fastening and foamiran lashes, which are harder to sew neatly.
The edge looks unfinished
Problem
The perimeter and eye openings look raw.
Likely cause
The layers were not sewn with blanket stitch, or the eye openings were not finished.
How to fix it
Sew blanket stitch not only around the outer edge but also around the eye openings, as in the source master class.
?FAQ
Do I need a ready-made fox mask pattern?
No. In the source, the pattern is drawn by hand: first measure the child's forehead from one temple to the other, then draw the base, nose, lashes, and inner ear pieces using that measurement.
Do I need seam allowances?
No. Transfer the pieces to felt or foamiran, trace them with a pencil, and cut along the outline without seam allowances.
Which is better: ribbon or elastic?
The source allows both options. Ribbon looks festive, while elastic is convenient for a child. The discussion recommends sewing the fastening if maximum reliability is needed.
What felt should I choose to avoid creases?
The source uses firm felt for the base, but the discussion notes that material that is too firm can crease. For a softer fit, use medium-weight felt.
Can I use this method for a different animal?
Yes. The author writes that the principle is universal for masks with different animals and characters; the discussion includes examples of an owl, deer, wolf, bunny, and mouse.
Your project
Log in to track your project, attach photos, and publish your result into the shared feed.
I think this year it is worth sewing a mouse mask too. 2020 will be under the patronage of that little animal. 🙂 I found this kind of mask. Unfortunately, there are no patterns, but it is not complicated - you can draw it yourself. 😉
In this case the pieces are simply glued on. To me that is questionable - they may fall off at the worst possible moment. I always try to sew on anything that can be sewn. 🙂
Ohhh, this is a sore subject! Every year it is: sew a costume, make a mask, craft something... Kindergarten seems to be punishment for parents. 🤪 😄 Last year my little boy was a bunny. Sharing a tested pattern (click to enlarge):
It is better not to sew from very firm felt, because creases appear (you can see them in the fox photo). I used medium-weight felt and added "darts" (you can see them on the diagram) at the temples and on the ears where they attach to the top of the head. Everything is in two layers, sewn around the perimeter with a hand overcast stitch. The base is white, and the ears and nose are pale pink. You can also make whiskers from starched threads. I used elastic, by the way. 🙂
Yes, ribbons can absolutely be stitched on! Many moms sew on elastic bands too - that is convenient as well. 🙂
This master class is universal: masks with any animals and characters are sewn this way. For example, I am sewing an owl now (currently at the "it is time to start sewing" stage):
BeginnerFree
I think this year it is worth sewing a mouse mask too. 2020 will be under the patronage of that little animal. 🙂
I found this kind of mask. Unfortunately, there are no patterns, but it is not complicated - you can draw it yourself. 😉
In this case the pieces are simply glued on. To me that is questionable - they may fall off at the worst possible moment. I always try to sew on anything that can be sewn. 🙂