Fabric Face Mask: Pattern and Materials
Important: this is a craft project, not medical advice. Homemade fabric or knitted masks are not a substitute for certified protective equipment or advice from qualified professionals.
Most people have probably heard the rumours about a new virus approaching. I am not usually a worrier, and I understand that if it does reach us, precautions may not solve everything. But that is not the point. At school, the children were given so-called preventive rules and told to have fabric face masks with them (cotton-and-gauze, disposable and so on). My girls are no longer little, and they flatly refuse — in their words — to put a piece of old tulle folded several times over their faces.
Recently they have become interested in K-pop and asked me to make masks like these, or something similar.
Could you help with a pattern and suggest the best materials? Or would it make more sense simply to buy masks like these instead of overthinking it?
I didn't find a pattern for this exact mask in my stash, but I can share a very interesting version of a fabric mask that is popular among people in Asia and the East.
To make this mask, you will need:
The mask pattern is quite simple, and it is easy enough to transfer it to paper and enlarge it to the desired size.
Fold the fabric in half and transfer the pattern to the material. It is important to add seam allowances on all sides immediately. Repeat the same procedure with the lining (the inner part of the mask).
Sew the central part of the piece.
Make small notches along the curved line of the fabric so that the mask fits comfortably and securely to the face.
Topstitch along the center on the front side of the mask. Repeat all steps for the lining as well.
Place the two pieces right sides together. It is important that the central seams match exactly. Sew the pieces together along the top and bottom of the future mask.
Turn the piece right side out and finish the mask with topstitching.
Fold the free edges of the main fabric into a pocket and sew. The elastic that goes over the ears will be inserted into this opening.
Using the same principle, you can make a mask with a pocket for a replaceable soft filter. To do this, you just need to leave an opening on one side of the mask (on the inside) and finish the edges.