How to Make a Face Mask

Face Masks to Assist in Covid 19 Pandemic

Hello, never in a million years did I ever think I would be explaining a pattern for a face mask to help combat a virus for a world wide pandemic.  These are trying times we live in, but by keeping busy and social isolating we can do our part.
 I am posting this tutorial because I think we are all trying our best to combat this terrible virus affecting everyone in society and  we have a genuine wish to help.  To date I have made 33 of these masks.
This mask does not  replace the N95 mask.  
There are conflicting  reports out there about mask wearing.
We were told as a community not to buy masks to prevent a shortage for medical professionals.
What we do know is there are medical professionals in our community that are now asking for people to send them hand sewn masks. 
​ Please see drop off and contact info for masks at the bottom of this post
As it relates to mask wearing as a  whole community, I found this article:  "It’s really a perfectly good public health intervention that’s not used,” argues KK Cheng, a public health expert at the University of Birmingham. “It’s not to protect yourself. It’s to protect people against the droplets coming out of your respiratory tract.”
About this mask :

•  It has a wire piece to snug it up tight around the nose.
•   There are elastics to hold it to your head around the ears.
•   There is a hidden pocket on the backside for the wearer to place an additional filter. (hepa filter, coffee filter or paper towel for added protection)  
•  It has pleats making it expandable to go over the chin and nose.
•  I have been told that this style of mask is worn by health care professional on missions in other parts of the world where N95 and  other medical masks are not available.

What you will need:

• There is a step by step written version of the below pictorial tutorial here for free download.
• 1 piece of tight weave quilting cotton or good quality cotton 15"long  x 7."wide.
• 1 piece of wire (pipe cleaner or very bendable wire)  approximately 6 1/2".
• 2 pieces of fabric 3.5 long x 2 wide for elastic casing.
• 2 pieces of  1/4" elastic , 9 3/4" long.
• As a precaution it is recommended to wipe down your sewing machine with antibacterial wipes and wash your hands thoroughly before proceeding to sew.

How to make the mask - see the steps in caption below the pictures:

Step 1- Serge or zig zag the short ends of the mask fabric.

Step 2-Fold short ends right sides together and fold mask fabric in half, clip or pin.

Step 3-Measure 1 ½” in from each raw edge, mark as shown.

Step 4- Stitch from raw edge to marking on both sides of short ends.

Step 5- Fold fabric with seam in center and press seam open.

Step 6- Turn your fabric to the right side.
Step 7-Top stitch close 1/8” to fold and seam line through one layer of fabric- see in photo below.

Step 8- Measure ½” from the seam line on both sides , mark on the raw edge.

Step 9 & 10 Fold towards the ½” marks and press as shown. Press the bottom of mask as well.

Step 11- Pin or clip top and bottom and stitch all the way around, using ¼” seam allowance.

Step 12-.Add bendable wire to top opening and pin in place.

Step 13- Stitch ¼” from the outer stitch line holding the wire straight and in place against outer top stitched line, leave the opening on the bottom as shown in below photo.

13- Wire sewn in and pocket now showing.

Step 14-Turn your mask so the right side is facing up and make (3 or more) pleats about one 1/2'” apart as shown.

Step 15- Press the front and the back of your mask well to press pleats in place

Step 16-Sew down the short sides with a 1/8” seam allowance.

16- Mask should look like this now.

Step 17- Apply trim piece to sides, right side of trim piece to right side of mask as shown, rolling raw edge to the back (where pocket is) and sew ¼” seam allowance along the edge.

17- Sewing along the edge (with a 1/4" seam ) of the trim piece through all layers.

Step 18- Turn mask to the backside and press edges inwards, fold raw edge of trim in ¼” and press as shown.

Step 19 -Fold raw edge in 1/4“ and then fold pressed trim edge towards the back just beyond seam line and sew a line in the ditch on the right side as shown.

19. Sew close to the folded edge of the trim on one side and stitch in the ditch on the right side of the mask.

Step 20- Feed elastic through side trim as shown with a safety pin, tie into a tight knot, slide the knot back inside the trim opening. Do the same for the other side.

It's Done!

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Please Note: if you wish to add straps you would extend the trim piece to 36 " centre it on the sides and top stitch without elastic. See photo below:

Adding straps instead of elastic.

Made 9 more to be sent out- I'm up to 42 now! I am sure I'll make more.

Not exactly a fashion statement  and not at all pretty,  but neither is this virus!
There is a need out there. Please contact local health authorities in your area to find out where masks are needed.
For KW area:
Completed masks can be delivered to either of these locations:
a) Community Living Cambridge, 160 Hespeler Road, Cambridge. The office is open from 8:30-4:30, however the doors are locked. Ring the doorbell and someone will answer the door. 
                                                                        OR
b)  Cindy’s daughter’s home (where Cindy is currently living). They can be dropped off in her mailbox. The address is #1 – 230 Blair Road, Cambridge. Cindy is also willing to pick them up from your home. Please contact her at 519-498-4292 or email her at cindymacmu@gmail.com.
 Also:
Completed masks can be delivered to any of the following locations:
Elmira- Karen Marche
              9 Weigel Ave., Elmira
              Call 519-669-1039 before dropping off please
Waterloo-Kristy Heimpel
                   487 Northlake Dr., Waterloo - Leave on the front porch
 Kitchener-Gwen Narimalla
                   258 Manchester Rd, Kitchener

If you need child sized measurements please download the written tutorial here.
Many thanks to anyone is is willing and able to help!
​Hope you are making the absolute best of your social isolation, take care and stay well!