Super Simple Face Mask Pattern For Adults And Kids

super simple face maskBy now, most countries have some sort of shortage of face masks.  So what can you do if you can't get your hands on one?  With this super simple face mask you can help protect yourself and those you care about.

I never thought we would get to this state.  But really, when you think about it, how many books have you read, and how many science fiction movies have you watched that have been warning us of things like this.  The real world is surprisingly like a movie, we're experiencing a gripping and tragic story that's, gluing us to our seats. We have the villain (the virus), the heroes (the doctors), and the anti-heroes (the naysayers and the indifferent), and the hundreds of supporting extras.

super simple face maskThe extras help the hero, cure, treat and stop the spread of the disease.  Who are the extras?  Everyone in your home, your neighbors, your community, your country, your continent, the world — all those people doing their best to limit the spread of the virus. It is because of the sheer number of extras that we have the power to stop and come back from this disease, and it all starts with the right mindset.

These self-made masks will not filter out the virus from the air.  But it will stop you from touching your face and transporting the virus to your mouth, eyes, or nose where you can be infected.  Additionally, it will help keep infectious droplets if you cough, sneeze, or talk, away from others — preventing you from infecting other people if you're a carrier.

super simple face mask

If you're looking for a face mask in a different shape or style, please make sure to check out our super popular Face Mask Sewing Patterns Roundup where you'll find one of the best collections of free face mask patterns out there.

Face Mask Sewing Patterns Roundup

Materials

  • One 15 X 8″ fabric square. Use fabric with a tight weave, such as linen, quilting cotton or calico
  • One 6 1/2 X 3 1/2″ rectangle of batting, interfacing, or other padding material (optional)
  • 14 inches of 1/4″ or 3/8″ elastic
  • Thread
  • 4 X 1″ strip of aluminum from a beer or soda can, bendable wire, flower wire or a garbage tie

As a filtration material, lots of readers have been recommending this melt-blown, non-woven cloth as exactly the material that is in professional masks. I've ordered some but yet to receive. It looks like a good option to me.

Tools

  • Sewing machine (optional)
  • Iron with steam
  • Sewing machine needle 70 or 80
  • Ruler
  • Water-soluble ink pen, Frixion pen or tailor's chalk

Fabric Recommendations


Pattern Download

Download HERE

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Sewing Skill Level:  Beginner

A beginner that can follow written instructions should do fine with this pattern.

Seam allowance is included and marked in the pattern.  Use a small stitch.  Please wash your mask every time you use it or at least place it inside the dryer on high heat.

What To Use To Make The Nose Guard

We will be making the nose guard with soft wire, a garbage bag tie, flower arrangement wire or soda can strip.  The purpose of this guard is to help the mask seal properly over the bridge of your nose to help keep the nasties out.

If using a soda can cut a strip 4″ X 1″

super simple face mask

then fold in half.

super simple face mask

How To Sew Your Super Simple Face Mask

Step One:  Sewing The Top And Adding The Wire 

Cut the pattern out and place it in on the fabric folded twice.  You will end up with two pieces.

Trace the pattern, marking the pleats on both sides.  If you are using a fabric with a print, let us pretend the lined side is the print side.

super simple face mask

So, print sides together, sew at 3/4″.

medical face mask

Fold in half and mark the middle.

super simple face mask

super simple face mask

Sew a rectangle to encase either soda can strip or wire, 5/8″ for the soda strip and 1/4″ for the wire.

medical face mask

Leave one side open to be able to insert the wire.

super simple face mask

Insert the wire or the strip of aluminum and close the gap.

super simple face masksuper simple face masksuper simple face mask

Step Two: Folding The Pleats And Adding The Elastic

Place the work open with the pleats vertically

medical face mask

Print side up, you will fold the pleats on the right towards the right-hand side.

super simple face maskmedical face mask

Do the opposite on the left.

super simple face mask

Pin the elastic.  One side next to the top seam the other the seam at the bottom.

medical face mask

Fold the pleated side over the right side with the elastic.

super simple face mask

Sew at 1/4″.

super simple face mask

Clip the corners.

super simple face mask

Turn the mask right side out.

Insert the padded rectangle, batting or interfacing inside.

super simple face mask

Fold the edges in 1/2″ and sew.

super simple face mask

super simple face mask

Super Simple Face Mask For Kids

Simply reduce the length and width of the pattern by 1″

So I am inviting you to see it from a different perspective if you have nothing to wear on your face would you rather wear a homemade mask or nothing at all.   It is not just about you getting sick but rather you or I not coughing on someone.   If you do not approve, please place your link below of your story from your social media on how you are helping your community and donating all your N-95 masks to the people that really need it the doctors and nurses on the front line, not just pointing fingers.   I think we are past that, we need solutions and solidarity not just naysayers.

I want to make sure it's clear again, this mask is not like the N-95 masks that can filter out the virus from the air. However, in many places, they are in critically short supply. This self-made alternative will stop a major source of infection, the touching of the face — and help limit your spreading of the virus by your sneezing and coughing. If you can, get your hands on the best medical masks available, but this super simple face mask is much better than nothing. After all, we need solutions and solidarity not just naysayers.

So here we are, it's time for you to choose your role in this movie. Doing your part, no matter how small, will make an important change. Protecting yourself and others, even if it's just with your own homemade super simple face mask will make more of a difference than you can imagine. I wish you all good health and good luck!

In case you missed it, our Face Mask Sewing Pattern Roundup was article was linked to by the New York Post.

Our Face Mask Sewing Patterns Article Linked in NY Post

Join me next week when I will be sharing a vinyl coat perfect to go shopping for food supplies that protect your clothes and it is easy to wash and wear.

Stay healthy and Happy Sewing!

Please Consider Supporting Our Site

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..

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Shelia Cox
Shelia Cox

Have you tried washed nonwoven dryer sheets for a disposable liner ? They are like some baby wipe materials. It also recycles the dryer sheet. I use them for multiple crafts .Also you can wash & dry the sheets.

Y.rosa
Y.rosa

Awesome. Thanks for sharing !!!????????????

Moritz
Moritz

Great work and very nice instructions.
There are great instructions on DIY face masks.

Penny
Penny

I can’t get the pattern to print in the correct size. What are the dimension of the uncut fabric please?

Cynthia J Cloutier
Cynthia J Cloutier

I’ve been making masks for our church members. On one web site I saw a suggestion to use unused vacuum cleaner bags (cut to size) as a filter. BUT, some bags have fiberglass in them, so don’t use them. I’ve been using interfacing and fusible web inside the masks I make. If you know of any reasons to not use the web, please post! Thanks.

Moda Year
Moda Year

The pattern printed as 7 1/2″ x 8″.
Is that correct?
Thank you

Carolle
Carolle

I have read that Ace bandages can be cut into strips to use for elastic. Hope this helps.

Ivlia Vespasia
Ivlia Vespasia

If you don’t like the added warmth from the batting when wearing it in warm shops etc you can leave a gap at the top and add your own filter instead. If you don’t have access to specialist fabrics a dried baby wipe folded in half and inserted into the pocket is surprisingly resistant to water droplets such as the virus. When home remove and throw filter, wash mask. Dry, add new filter. I make them this way for neighbours who work as home health visitors for the elderly and vulnerable so