If you've been looking for how to make a face mask, you've come to the right place. We're offering a free paper mask template to cut out so you can make your own face mask.
Dutch Label Shop has partnered with Carmen Cheung, owner of Carmen's Creations to show you how to sew your own face mask with a filter pocket, nose wire pocket, and a personalized label.
Disclosure: these masks are not medical grade. This guide is based on the methods outlined by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) with additional filter pocket and nose wire.
Let's hand it over to Carmen!
First things first: gather your supplies!
DIY Face Mask Sewing Supplies:
- 2x fabric for the front layer (7inch x 7 inch) [I'm using 100% cotton for the front layer]
- 2x fabric for the back layer (10inch x 10inch) [I’m using muslin for the back layer]
- Sewing Machine (ideally, but a simple needle and thread will work, too)
- 2x pieces of elastic (8 inches)
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
- Nose wire(optional) can use a pipe cleaner, floral wire, twist ties
- Personalized labels from Dutch Label Shop
Pattern Cutting For Face Mask
After gathering your supplies, you will want to cut your pattern.
Cut the fabric using our free paper mask template or draw your own!
Cut the front layer using two 7x7 inch fabric squares
Cut the back layer using two pieces of 10x10 inch fabric. Place the two pieces of fabric together and fold in half. Fold the pattern to the line highlighted in yellow. Place the pattern along the fold and make sure not to cut the folded area of the fabric/straight edge of the pattern.
Your cut face fabric will look like this.
Sewing Your Face Mask
You will be left with a front layer and a back layer that looks like this.
Take the two front layers and place them together with the right sides facing in. Secure in place with pins or clips and sew along the curve leaving a ⅜” seam allowance.
Take the two back layers, fold them in half and place together with pins or clips and sew along the curve leaving a ⅜” seam allowance.
Open and turn the front layer so the pattern is facing out and place the back layer over top of the front layer with the back layer stitches facing out. Secure with pins or clips and sew the top leaving a ⅜” seam allowance.
Dutch Label Shop offers a variety of labels to add to your face masks, whether you're selling them or just want an easy way to distinguish between multiple face masks in your household.
If you're working with a custom personalized label, take your label and place it in the desired location, then sew it into place.
If working with a fold-over label, place the front of the label in the desired location, fold the back over, and sew into place.
Sew the bottom layers together leaving a ⅜” seam allowance.
Find the opening between the front and back layer and flip turn inside out.
Topstitch the top and bottom leaving a ⅛” seam allowance
Adding a Nose Wire Pocket and Personalized Label to Your DIY Face Mask
Fold the sides for the elastic insert. I folded twice, making sure to backstitch the beginning and end and then hiding the elastic knot inside.
Topstich again on the top leaving a ⅜” seam allowance to make a nose support pocket. Leave the sides open to insert or remove the wire before washing.
Use a safety pin to pull Elastic through elastic inserts
And that's it! Congratulations! You just made your own face mask! :) We also have a step-by-step video guide on how to make a face mask, if you want to follow along.
