This simple face mask with visor is an idea that was sent in by Mary Smith from Olympia, Washington about 3 weeks ago. Since then it has become the third most requested pattern in the history of So-Sew-Easy.
I think face masks may be here to stay, so I'll be sharing new designs from time to time. They can be made of many different materials combining a bit of fun with protection.
This mask has a visor that acts as a shield, stopping your hands from reaching your eyes, or in case someone is close to you, reducing the number of droplets that get in your eyes and mucus membrane.
I have eliminated the need for using elastic by using bias tape instead, which you can use to tie the mask on the back of your head while still being able to hang it from your neck should you decide to take it down while driving.
I have added a dart on the side to shape the vinyl around your eyes for your eyelashes. I found my eyelashes touching the visor without this dart and my eyelashes are just 1/2″ at the center.
Material
- 1/2 yard (if making your own bias tape) of 100% Cotton quilting, calico or tight weave linen or ramie
- 10″ X 6″ clear plastic vinyl
- Thread to match
- Bias tape if not making your own
Several readers have asked for a good place to get the right kind of clear plastic vinyl. This will work well.
Tools (optional)
- Rotary cutter
- Teflon foot
- Sewing machine
- Bias foot
Fabric Recommendations from Fabric.com
Experience Level: Beginner
If you have never sewn before please read the following tutorials before starting
Pattern Download
You can download the pattern for this Face Mask With Visor Pattern from our account at Bluprint.
Creating an account at Bluprint is completely free and no credit card is required to create an account to download.
For help downloading and printing PDF patterns, please CLICK HERE.
How To Print Your Face Mask With Visor Pattern
Print the pattern using Adobe Reader. It is free and is the only program you need to download and print the pattern.
Print using Actual Size and Landscape Mode.
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Pattern Layout
The pattern is only on page.
How To sew Your Simple Face Mask
Make three lengths of bias tape.
#1: 19″ long X 1″ wide
#2: 36″ long X 1″ wide
#3: 36″ long X 1″ wide
Cut four pieces of the face mask and label the top. Believe me, you will not know what side is up or down.
Step One:
Sew both sides (front and back) of the mask using a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Step Two:
Pin the visor to one of the sides of the mask at the top of the mask. Pin the other side of the mask. You will have made a sandwich of cloth, vinyl then cloth. Sew at 1/4″.
Note: if you find the fabric slipping sew one side to vinyl then the other.
Topstitch on the fabric side separating the vinyl from the mask. Topstitch very close to the edge.
Step Three:
Fold the darts downwards and secure it with as art peg or a quilting clip.
Step Four:
Add bias tape starting on the left side of the mask and end on the right. I found placing the bias tape at the bottom leaving the clear vinyl on the top made it easier for the machine to sew the combination of vinyl and fabric. Seen below is the opposite and it is very difficult to have a nice straight line as I was sewing.
As you start sewing the vinyl pull the bias tape slightly so it takes the curve shape of the visor. Please respect the seam allowance so the visor does not look miss shaped.
Fold the tape 1/4″ then fold over the other side of the vinyl then sew.
Finally, take the other two strips of bias tape and fold in have using the iron.
Take one of the bias tapes and fold again then pin making a flat cord. Mark the middle of the cord.
Pin the middle of the cord to the middle of the mask.
Start sewing the cord from one end-
through the mask to the other end of the cord. This way you are both sewing the edge of the cord while attaching the cord to the mask.
Finally using the same technique as above of leaving some bias tape to be used as cord add bias tape to the bottom of the mask.
You can make a really simple face mask without the visor. Cutting the top and bottom you can adjust this simple mask pattern to a child very easily as well.
Need another simple face mask?
Would you like to know what is the second most requested pattern in the history of So-Sew-Easy? Please have a guess in the comments below. Stay tuned next week when I will be sharing with you an item that is guaranteed to become a staple piece in your wardrobe.
Stay healthy everyone, and Until Next Time, Happy Sewing!
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If you'd like to support our site where almost everything we do is free to everyone, we'd really appreciate a cup of coffee to keep us going..
Thank you so much for sharing the pattern! One question: is the vinyl part to be cut on the fold? I got lost a little over that part.
Trace the other side then cut flat, because it is not so easy to cut vinyl on the fold.
Thank you! I accidentally printed two copies of the pattern so I taped the two halves of the visor together, that way I can cut it in one go.
Awesome pattern, thank you so much for sharing it!
This is great, you are so creative! Any chance you can post the pattern here? Bluprint stopped allowing all downloads. I had 8 classes to collect from my subscription too 🙁
Hi, yes, we’ll be changing all the links over to a new site shortly. Please stay tuned.
[…] over at So Sew Easy has a cool pattern for a similar mask that uses vinyl and fabric ties instead of clear plastic and […]
Nice pattern, etc. But would definitely be nice if there were “printer friendly” instructions.
Many “how to” websites put way too many pictures in their instructions. I understand that some people new to sewing, or sewing certain types of items, need the visual aids, but …
Advanced/seasoned sew-ers, sometimes only want to print the words. If the visual aid is necessary, we can always go back and look.
Besides, a “printer friendly” option would save TONS of paper and ink.
Any possibilities>
Hi Barb, I can not please everybody, I guess I give the pattern for free instructions are on the site always free. Can you believe all this takes me around 38 hours of work? I could use some help (pattern maker) or an Assistant but sadly I can not afford either. Until I can all I can do is well easiest for me and it is free for you.
Thank you, Mayra, I appreciate the answer. I knew it took quite a while, but did not realize that you were spending the better part of 5 8-hour days.
And I understand that you do this out of the goodness of your heart for others.
Thanks again – for all you do. I will do my best to copy the information to my computer and then print what I need.
Best regards
Thank you Barb for understanding. If I had more time I really would put out more patterns for sale where everything would be in two files.
I made one. It’s neat. I found the vinyl piece is wider than the bottom section after the two pieces are sewn together. I just trimmed it. I tried it on with my glasses and found it tight to the glasses. I’ll try your recommendations to make the dart a little larger. I’m trying to figure out how to put a nose wire in.
I am a little skeptical because here in France, we are recommended to wash the masks at 60 ° C, so machine washing seems to be the only possibility to reach this temperature. I’m not sure that the visor (which is not detachable) can withstand machine washing. What do you think ?
Even washing the mask at 60 degree will not guarantee that you will not get the flu or Covid-19, what you are trying to do is reducing he amount of viruses that you might come in contact with.
I’m sorry for my question, which I may have translated incorrectly.
I didn’t mean to say that I was skeptical about the effectiveness of the mask, I know that this mask is not effective against the virus itself, but that it has a “barrier” effect against the postilions and other projections (which is already very useful).
In fact, my question was mainly to know if, despite the fact that the visor is not removable, can we wash the mask in the washing machine? or does it risk damaging the visor?
Thank you so much.
It is my pleasure!
Thanks for this pattern! Will definitely be making a few for family and friends. But want to provide some info re: something you mention.
The CDC and other agencies in the US, global medical organizations, mask manufacturers, and public health officials all say that you should never, ever, untie the top part of the mask and let it hang from your neck while driving or doing anything else. If there are contaminants on the outside of the mask, it is easy for them to transfer to your clothing if you let the mask hang from your neck. Proper mask usage requires that a mask be either completely on or completely off.
A mask is worn to keep you and others safe and healthy. Please — Don’t risk virus transfer by letting it hang from your neck.
Believe, this mask is not for driving the vinyl may distort you line of vision. it is like looking through a very think glass, you could change to a mask that does not cover your eyes.
What is the gauge of the vinyl you used? There seems to be several. Thank you
Hi Patty I used gauge 6, but use as think as your machine can handle.
Hmmm. Second-most downloaded pattern? I’m guessing the seatbelt pillow.
Thank you for playing, the requested….
Where do you get the vinyl for this mask?
You can find it online in any fabric shop such as fabric.com
How does vinyl stand up to repeated washing? I assume they would need to be air dried.
Vinyl with time will scratch so you need to hand wash. It is durable.
Hospitals require staff to machine wash masks in hot water daily. This mask is interesting, may have some potential for some settings. I think the vinyl piece needs to be separate.
I did not make this mask for hospitals, but for people to move around. This one is for the heath care workers here is the link. https://so-sew-easy.com/super-simple-face-mask/
This looks like a great idea for those people who must get close to others. How would you recommend washing this one?
How would you clean this? Is it ok to machine wash? Can you tumble dry it?
Vinyl durable and can be machine wash, but I think tumble drying it will damage the shape and even scratch it.
I can see schools needing these come Fall for science labs. I will be asking my brother and nieces. Thanks
My pleasure!
What is the best way to wash this?
I would hand wash, and line dry.
Thank you for your kindness and free patterns. I will have to try this one.
You are always sharing great ideas with us and I really appreciate it. Stay safe.
It is my pleasure Nelly, I really would like to go back to normal as soon as possible and being outside connecting with people is a huge part of it.
Thank you. Why doesn’t the virus enter through the seam over the nose and mouth?
I have been making the continuous piece facemasks which are pleated at the sides because of this concern. Mine contain a wire over the nose and fit close to the sides of the face because of the ties.
The only way to stop a virus from reaching you is to wear a hazmat suit. With a mask and a visor you are trying to stop touching your face and reducing the amount of virus that you might get.
What a great idea and pattern! Thank you so much for sharing and making it available to us all for free. I just printed it and will try it out as soon as I get hold of some vinyl
Do let me know how it turn out for you please, a feed back is helpful to improve a pattern. Thank you!
Would you give more information about the clear plastic vinyl? It comes in many different gauges. What gauge did you use? Thank you!
Excellent question! I used gauge 6, because tis is what I had, i would have liked to use a thicker one such as 8 to see how the combination of the materials sit on the face. I suspect that the heavier the gauge the curvier the seam between the mask and the visor. I did not talk about the vinyl because I was hoping as you guys used the pattern and tried different gauges you would comment. It really all depends on how thick your machine can handle. I no most domestic machines (or al least not mine) can not handle a big gauge number such as 50 for window treatment.
Love the idea but how do you clean it??
I do by hand and line dry but I will try on the machine and the dryer and I will let you know.
I have been advised that it is important that masks fit to the face all around. Some darts added will bring the mask bottom to the face. Put the mask on and take darts until it fits the contours of your face. Some people add elastic to the bottom to bring it in, but I find the darts more comfortable.
Indeed Amanda, Darts are more comfortable, the first mask I made without darts touched my lashes so much it was hard to see and left a huge gap on my forehead.
I prefer the chin area to be a little bit tighter. I took a large hair elastic (or a piece of elastic) and made a 1/2 inch casing (you can use 1/2 inch ribbon or bias binding) on the inside of the chin edge of the mask. I then pulled the elastic through the casing. I sewed one end of the elastic to the mask to keep it from pulling all the way through and after pulling the elastic through the casing I anchored the other end. It is enough to gather the mask at the chin.
This is a great idea!
we have to remember we making these for the general public not medical staff. Have a prefect fit would be great but just getting people to wear a face covering would be wonderful.
It only takes a couple minutes to do this and I feel that it prevents more problems. I have an elderly husband and anything I can do to stop this from possibly coming into my family I will do.
I can’t seem to get any of your free patterns from blueprint without a subscription! Why!
Hi, that shouldn’t be the case. You have to have an account, but it is free. Did you have a prior subscription and are they recognizing the email address perhaps? That really shouldn’t matter but just a thought. Not sure if you have another email address but perhaps you could try with that?
Because that is their business model. I am republishing the patterns on ETSY and PAYHIP but this takes me some time so stay tuned thank you!
Very clever and easy. Thank you!!! However, I did not see any instructions stating that the pattern piece for the vinyl needs to be placed on the FOLD of the vinyl before cutting. It is not printed on the vinyl pattern piece either. I realized this by seeing the shape of the pattern piece, so hopefully, beginners or others will realize this when they read the measurement size for vinyl required. Thanks for all your efforts!!
Indeed! I did made this mistake and was hoping that a little common sense would prevail. Hope people will read your comment.
How do you clean mask? Will hand washing scratch visor? Is there a way to make removable? Looks great.
I will wash mine and let you know.
Nice job. I have those bias tape folders. This should be a piece of cake. Thanks
Mask pattern with visor looks good but how does it fit with eye glasses?
Great question! I would recommend making the dart a little wider as to create a bigger corner and therefore more room for your eyeglasses.