We include mask molds to print
Learn how to sew an easy face mask with my easy-to-follow instructions and free mask templates or patterns. Even if you haven’t sewn face masks before, you can! I even have a video-tutorial so you can watch me make one in just a few minutes.
The mask pattern was designed by medical professionals to be used when other surgical masks and N95 are not available. Most agree that it’s the best pattern available for homemade facial masks, and I think so too!
It’s curved to fit the nose and mouth area, and there’s a pocket inside to hold a filter if you want to use one, but it’s not necessary.
Download _Check out my new free pattern here!
Download the free mask PDF template or pattern (adult size) here.
Download the free child-size PDF pattern here.
(If you have any printing problems, make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe reader , it’s free, and then 100% print. I have heard that printing with a mobile device does not result in the correct size).
I have made many masks with this pattern to share with family members and health workers in my community. After a lot of sewing, I was able to simplify the original instructions on how to sew the face mask that came with the templates.
The following photo tutorial was written with permission and is not intended to replace the mask pattern, but rather to accompany it.
Upon request, I have changed the size of the pattern templates for making child-sized face masks in two different sizes.
Molds or patterns for child-size masks include:
- The Small Face, Mouth, and Cheek Pattern or Stencils for 2-5 Year Olds (page 1)
- the large face, mouth and cheek stencils for ages 6-10 (page 2)
Cutting and sewing instructions are the same for the child sized masks. Print the pages at 100% scale.
How to sew the face mask pattern?
Video link: https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/simple-step-by-step-tutorial-for-the-olson-mask-pattern?jwsource=cl
You will need to:
- about 20cm tightly woven cotton fabric
- 2 hair elastics (other types of elastics can be improvised)
Cut:
The mask pattern has 6 pattern templates and specifies to cut one from each template. You can save time by using only the Mouth 1 (mouth1), Cheek 1 (Cheek) and Face 1 (Face) templates.
Cut 2 of each of the Cheek 1, Face 1 and Mouth 1 pattern templates.
When cutting, layer the fabric with the sides wrong so you can cut the two pieces at once and reverse them.
Sew plain hems
Take the cheek pieces and mouth pieces to your ironing board.
1. Press the longest straight edge of the cheeks to the wrong side 1/4 ”.
2. Press the straight edge of the nozzles to the wrong 1/4 ”side.
3. Sew along the fold of all of these pieces to make simple plain hems.
Sew the curved edges of the mouth and face
A 1/4 ”seam allowance is allowed.
1. Place the two right sides of the ‘Face’ pieces together and sew along the curved edge.
2. Place the two ‘mouth’ pieces with the right sides together and sew along the curved edge.
Pin and sew the pieces together
1. Place the cheeks and nozzle (sewn along the curved edge) on your workspace, right sides of the fabric facing down as seen above. If necessary, check the templates to make sure you are not placing any of them upside down.
2. Allow the cheeks to overlap the top of the mouthpiece approximately 1 ”and pin the top and bottom of each cheek.
Don’t worry too much about the amount of overlap of the mouthpiece with your cheeks at this point; you will adjust them for a precise fit in the next step.
This is the ‘inner piece’.
3. Place pinned ‘inner piece’ on top of facepiece, right sides together.
Match the pieces at the center seams and pin the center top and bottom.
4. Align the straight edges of the sides and secure with pins.
5. Now carefully remove one of the pins holding the mouth and cheek pieces. Smooth and adjust fabrics to fit well between sides and center seam.
Reattach all layers.
7. Repeat for the 4 pins that attached the cheeks to the mouthpiece.
8. Sew around the mask with a 1/4 ”seam allowance.
In each of the corners:
- stop needle down
- raise the presser foot
- spin the fabric
- lower the presser foot
- keep sewing
When you get to the place where you started sewing, continue sewing over your first few stitches and then backstitch to secure.
9. To reduce bulk, trim excess fabric at the corners, without cutting the seams. You can safely cut 1/8 ”from the seam.
10. Rotate the mask right side out through the a from the openings next to the cheek. Do not try to go through both openings at the same time, as it will get tangled. ?
11. Place a side edge through a hair tie and fold it about 1/2 ”.
Sew the side edge down, backstitching at the beginning and end to secure well.
Of course, you can use other types of elastics or make drawstring ties, depending on the needs of the user and the resources available.
Tip: If you can’t find a 1/4 ”elastic, try bending 1/2” over the elastic (FOE). It is soft and flexible, maybe even better than normal 1/4 ”elastic for making mask ties.