My allergies have been incredible this year, and by that I mean that they have been worse than they have ever been. (Please, please, please do not suggest medical advice here. Much appreciated.) I see an allergy specialist who gives me 2 shots, 2-3 times a week to help with my symptoms. They have helped a lot; however, Juniper Ash (Cedar Fever!) here in Austin is 6 times worse than average this year, and boy oh boy, do I feel it. She suggested that I wear a face mask when I go outside to help reduce the amount of pollen that is going into my lungs and sinuses. After going to a few different stores to purchase some, I found that many other Austinites had already bought them out. No worries, right? I know how to sew. I will just make one. When I finished, I had many requests for a tutorial, so here you go:
Materials needed:
- 1 piece of fabric measuring 8” x 14”. Until you get familiar with this tutorial, I would suggest a non-directional print. One that has a scattered image printed on the surface such as the one shown.
- 2 strips of fabric measuring 1.75” (1 3/4”) x 6”. This will be the accent edge piece. It can be the same fabric as the main piece or a small-scale print or solid.
- Two pieces of 1/4” width elastic. These will be about 6 1/2” long.
- Ruler
- Fabric marking tool.
- Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine, threaded.
Fold the main piece of fabric in half, right sides together. Sew along the 8 inch width edge, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Turn this tube shape inside out, so that the right side of the fabric is now on the outside. Press this flat, keeping the seam to one end of the flattened tube.
Place the tube of fabric so that the raw edges are on each side and the seam edge is at the bottom. Using a ruler, measure and mark a line 1 1/2 inches from the bottom edge. Make another line 1 inch above this line, or 2 1/2 inches from the seam edge. Don’t use a pencil as you see in the picture, use a fabric pen, or fabric chalk. I used a pencil for illustration purposes.
Fold the seam edge up (or down in this picture, as I turned it upside down…sorry) making the crease on the first line that you just marked. You should have 1 1/2 inch edge here.
Flip the tube piece over. Match the crease edge to the second line that you made earlier. Press. The pleat that you just created will be 1/2 inch deep. Pin the pleat down on each raw edge end.
Now you will mark the lines for the second pleat. Mark a line measuring 1/2” from the top crease of the last pleat, (or 2″ from the bottom seam edge). It was difficult to see the top of the crease in this picture, so look at the finger indicator above.
Now mark another line one inch above the last line that you made (or 3 inches above the seam edge). Using these lines as your guide, repeat the steps that you followed to make the first pleat.
You should now have two pleats, each one being 1/2 inch deep. Repeat the steps you used to make the second pleat, so that you end up with three pleats total. Press.
This is what your main piece should look like at this point.
Using a 1/8” seam allowance, baste stitch the raw edges.
Repeat this step so that both raw edges are basted as shown in the picture above.
Pin one elastic piece to the raw edge, making sure not to twist it before baste stitching it to the edge at both ends. I placed mine 1/8” from the top and bottom edge of the main pleated piece. Baste elastic in place 1/8” inch from raw edge. Repeat, to attach remaining elastic piece to the other raw edge.
Your pleated piece should now resemble the picture above.
Fold each accent strip of fabric lengthwise in half, matching raw edges, as shown in the picture above. Press.
Place the strip on top of the elastic. Make sure the raw edge is facing outward, and the creased edge is facing the main body of the pleated piece. It will be a little longer on the top and bottom and that is okay, as we are going to fold some of that to the back.
Tuck about 1/2” of the top edge to the back as shown in the picture above.
Pin all layers in place.
Trim the other end of the accent strip, so that it is about 1/2” longer than the bottom edge of the main pleated piece.
Fold the bottom edge of the accent fabric strip to the back, just as you did with the top edge.
Pin both ends in place.
Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch the length of the entire edge, making sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.
Open the the accent fabric strip seam by flipping it outward away from the main pleated piece, then press.
This is what the mask should look like if you flip it over.
fold the ENTIRE accent piece down toward the main pleated piece, encasing the raw seam. You will now see the accent piece on this side, but not at all on the flip side. Press. Pin edge down.
If you are a good sewist, you will change out your presser foot to a straight stitch foot. If you are lazy, like me, you will keep that 1/4″ presser foot on your machine and struggle your way through this next step. 😀 Stitch this accent strip down to the main body of the mask, sewing along the edge, making sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.
This step isn’t necessary. It just gives it a nice finished look, and helps to give that elastic a little extra stability. Stitch down the edge of the mask close to the elastic side.
The front of your mask should now resemble the above picture.
The back of your mask should look like this. Following the previous steps, attach the remaining accent fabric piece to the other end of the mask.
You should now have a reusable, washable mask that measures approximately 4″ x 7″ (unopened).
It took a few hours to put this free tutorial together for you. For this reason, I am greatly appreciative for any mentions that you can give me if you should use this tutorial. If you post a picture on social media, you can use the hashtag: #buttoncountermask. Feel free to share this page, and please tag me in your pictures so that I can see your beautiful creations. Last, I appreciate constructive criticism, so if you notice something that doesn’t look right, or does not make sense, bring it to my attention. I am happy to clarify any steps where you may have questions.
Enjoy!
P.S. Obviously, the elastic length can be adjusted to your facial measurements.
EDIT (March 24 2020): Because this tutorial has recently been used on a large scale, I will be adding a few things here as frequently asked and answered questions, suggestions, and reminders.
- This tutorial was happily shared by me over a year ago. This is not a new tutorial created in light of the current virus pandemic. I am not in charge, nor affiliated with any organization or entity requesting masks to be made. There are multiple organizations that are using this tutorial for their requests. If you have any question regarding what their requirements are, you really, really, really need to ask them. Please understand that I cannot and will not tell you what you should use, or how you should make your mask different from my tutorial.
- Keep in mind also that there are multiple entities that are using this tutorial for their requests. One entity may have completely different requests regarding features than another entity. (for example one organization is requesting a 4 layer mask, while another is fine with the two layer, as their thoughts are that they can be doubled up or used as a cover or liner to another kind of mask.) So, there is no correct or incorrect mask. Who are you making your mask for? Those are the people to whom you direct your questions.
- CHILD OR BABY MASK: After much thought, I have decided that it is in my best interest to NOT supply a mask tutorial for anyone other than an adult. One of my reasons for this is that I feel that a mask could pose as a choking hazard, and I do not want to have any part of that scenario. My suggestion is that you really should ask each individual child’s doctor or provider what their guidelines are, and go from there.
- I will not be held responsible for any mask misuse or malfunction.
- ELASTIC OR TIES? The main reason why my tutorial uses elastic is so I don’t have to tie it behind my head and mess up my hair. That’s it. So, if you are making the tutorial, and you don’t like the elastic, or if the person who you are making your mask for, requests ties; by all means put ties in yours. My pattern is very easily adapted to your preferences. There are organizations specifically asking for elastic, and some that are asking for ties only.
- ELASTIC LENGTH: I have read that a few of you recommend longer elastic; however, mine ended up being slightly loose. Therefore, I will not alter my pattern. I have stated in the tutorial that elastic length will need to vary due to the fact that human heads are not uniform (Thank goodness).
- I don’t have a PDF or printable version of my tutorial. If I decide to do that, I will; but it will be in my own time. I have received many hateful comments (that I deleted) demanding that I provide this. I need to remind those few sour apples that I am under zero obligation to do so. If my absolutely free visual tutorial isn’t to your liking, I invite you to go find one that makes you happy. If you are a person who often finds themselves using the words ”I need you to…”, you might fall into this category.
- I am completely honored that many of you are using my tutorial, or even certain aspects of it to help people in need. Even if you are using a completely different tutorial or pattern and just stopped by to check this one out, I applaud you for being a maker during this time. I cannot express enough how happy it makes me feel to see so many humans getting together to do something for the greater good. Please continue being that human. Those are the best ones.
I am signing off now to take care of my family, who needs me now more than ever. Thank you all for your kindness and understanding. God Bless.
Button Counter 
Thank you, I think I just might be able to do this one. This will be my first time sewing so wish me luck! If it works out I will also be making some to hand out at our plant, since we are essential workers working at the power plant there are quite a few that have to go in..
Thank you essential worker!
Susan, thank you for being an essential employee. I/we greatly appreciate that more than you know, and more than most realize. I hope that you were able to use this tutorial. Thank you so much for your visit, and I apologize for the delayed response.
Thank you for your free tutorial. I shall be making up a few for my family. I have been following your site for a few years now and have used many patterns.
Happy Easter to you and your family. Hope you stay safe and well.
Hello: have just completely through your tutorial and it looks terrific! I’m just heading to bed now but first thing in the morning I’m going to make one of these. If it works well I’ll make one for my husband and then friends too. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this video in such great detail!
Judy HUTMACHER,
Surrey, BC Canada 🇨🇦
Thank you for taking the time to share your pattern. I appreciate it.
This is perfect! What a wonderful unique touch on the side, so simple yet stylish. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your very well done tutorials, they are easy to understand and very explicit in there directions, measurements are provided which makes it easy to make ones own pattern, I apologize for the nasty comments you may have received people can be so thoughtless and cruel, especially in times of stress but know you are appreciated for your kind efforts to help us all stay safe in these terrifying times….I have not made your mask design yet I plan to add a pipe cleaner inside that top seam because I wear glasses and I find my glasses steam up I’m hoping like the masks sold at pharmacy they have a metal strip that you pinch against your nose providing a better seal hoping this will solve my steam issues🤣
Again thank you so much for your kind efforts in helping all of us stay safe. Time to enjoy your family…many thanks from Canada….Deb
Deb, I have found that straightening out a paperclip and sewing it into the seam over the nose works great for the metal strip you are looking for. I’ve also been told that by cleaning your glasses with shaving cream helps keep them from fogging up.
Thank you for the tip of using a pipe cleaner. I was thinking it would be nice to shape the bridge for a tighter fit but was not sure what to use.
Thank you so much for putting this together. Stay safe and well!
You are BEAUTIFUL!! And thank you!!
Happy Easter, God bless,
Ma Griz
Hi! I wanted to say thank you for the tutorial! It’s really well done and clear. I also lol’d at your comment about using the walking foot instead of the 1/4″ foot, since I am definitely going to push my way through with the 1/4″ foot. Great tutorial, thank you!! (And I’m sorry that some people suck and are giving you hateful comments)
How many inches should my sides measure after the pleats are put in?
Your instruction are great! Had to get a little creative with the elastic(out of stock-covid-19)
Yikes, yes. Elastic has really been disappearing.
Hi I want to say a huge thank you and sending you a virtual hug for this really good and easy tutorial for this face mask. I have made three this morning for my family..and will make a few more. Take care during these trying times..stay healthy. It is April 11th 2020 so I wish you and your family a happy easter. Kind regards Margaret.
Thank you for your post. And how kind of you to take the time to update it for us. Some friends and I will be having a Face Mask Making Zoom party this evening and we will be using your method. Good health to you!
I am wanting to make these for the healthcare facility where I work. Is it possible to put a thin sort of quilt batting between the layers for added filtering?
Thank you for this straight forward mask tutorial with the best, most clear instructions I’ve seen.
I am making masks for the hospital where both of my daughters work. The instructions we got were really not clear which led to a lot of guessing. I’m more of a crafter then a sewer so my first attempt was kinda a train wreck. Your tutorial makes much more sense to me.
Thank you again and be safe. Gratefully yours-
I’ve made some ‘train wrecks’ with other directions, so hoping to get this one done! It’s only clear if you read it through! HA
My family has been making these for a couple of weeks now. We started using the elastic for the ears, however I found my Hearing aids did not like the elastic. It ppulled my aids right out of my ears. So, after the first few failures, we have changed to the bias ties. Worked much better.
I’m a home health social worker and have been using masks that I purchased; however, they were uncomfortable and made my face itch. I made four of these in an afternoon from two fabric quarters I had on hand. Thank you for an easy to follow guide. Love the mask. I used one layer of a “designer lite” interface for added protection.
Thank you very much for such detailed instructions and photos!! Whoot, Whoot!! I have never been given more than a hour of sewing instructions and then it was to make pajama bottoms, sooo this was a breeze! I truly studied your photos and information with each photo! Very helpful, especially once I sat down and did each step. I applaud you for your great efforts for people like me. I’m making them for the novel Coronavirus!
Thank you so much for taking the time to provide such a detailed description and fabulous pictures! It helps so much to see each step. I love the accent strips you added. I am going to make these tomorrow for my family and am so grateful to you for creating this!
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Thank you for taking the time to make this freely available. I’m a technical writer (but in the software industry) so I know just how long it takes to collate and create information and present in a way that makes it simple and easy to follow. Producing it the first place is not so simple nor so quick. Thank you so much! 🤗
Thank you very much! The directions are laid out wonderfully. This will come in handy.
I read your addendum comments and just wanted to say thank you for providing this free tutorial!! I will be adapting slightly to add wire. I am an owner of a veterinary clinic and want to supply my techs with masks. Thank you for sharing this pattern for free, and taking the time to make it!
Love this I am going to change the elastic to strings today , let’s see how that will work
Thank you so much for the tutorial. I’m not very experienced at sewing and the step by step instructions and pictures are easy to follow. I made some for my nieces who work in healthcare. I also made some for my family. My husband said now I can help mow the yard. Lol
Thank you so very much for taking the immense amount of time I’m sure it took to put this together for people you don’t know and will never meet like me! I am not gifted in the area of sewing, so to have this done visually is so great you just don’t know! Also, I don’t have a sewing machine, so it really helps seeing everything written out step by step. Lastly, I just feel so, I can’t even find the right words, about why anyone would even dare to have the arrogance, the unmitigated gall to leave even the slightest comment that could be taken in a negative way let alone an out right blatantly rude comment. It really makes my heart sad how society has become so entitled, and really that’s what it comes down to. Anyway, thank you, thank you, thank you! Happy Easter, God Bless you and your family and many blessings and stay safe and healthy!
Thank you so much for sharing your instructions with everyone. Cleveland Clinic provided the link. I am not an experienced sewer but found this very user friendly.
Just thought I would share this tip. It is impossible to buy elastic so I used the bands from my granddaughter’s weaving loom. (The one used to make pot holders) it’s been a week and they are holding up.
Stay safe everyone!
Thank you. Don’t let the haters get to you. Remember the opposite of love is fear.
This is a wonderful tutorial. Greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!
Your mask tutorial inspired me to make one for my mom! She still has to work during quarantine + shop for groceries. I was confused by the pleating instructions, so I improvised for my mask in a way that worked for me. Have a blessed day!
I love your instructions. I’m trying to figure out how to send you a picture of the ones I’ve made. jeannette2049@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your visual tutorial and the printed comments. It is very easy to understand, and I applaud you for what you stand for [and your wit]. The ends are more tailored and really finish the mask off well.
Thank you, so much for taking the time to share this tutorial. Have a wonderful Easter and God Bless you & your family at this stressful time.
Thank you so much for offering this face mask pattern and instructions for free. Thank goodness for people like you in these trying times that we all are in together. I have ordered “filters” for the masks that I make, so I am leaving a “pocket” opening in the middle on the first sew, so I will be able to slip the filter inside. I will use Velcro to close the “pocket”.
It is very generous of you to share your tutorial illustrations. I agree with you on those who aren’t happy no matter how thoughtful someone is. Those directing the “I need you to….” comments your way are ungrateful.
This is my favorite tutorial for masks! thank you!!
Love the tutorial, very clear! Thankyou, Penny
Thank you for the face mask tutorial. I like the way you put the elastic on must try your version
Thank you for your tutorial! I appreciate your time in doing it (and I love the blue/white material) Stay safe!
Thank you, Leah, for this tutorial. My stepsister just shared it with me and I’m on my way to my sewing room to start sewing masks for my daughter’s family in NYC. Her husband has ALS and he and his caregivers need masks to help protect themselves as best they can in this terrible crisis. You are a great person in turning the other cheek when responding to the berating comments made to you. Hopefully, that person will soon accept responsibility of their terrible actions and reach out to you with a sincere apology.
Thank you for the visual instructions. As a non sewer this helped me understand much better. Making masks makes me feel like I am at least contributing in some small way to help those that need it. Thanks again for the tutorial. Learning to sew ….back to my slow but steady mask making.
Lovely tutorial, thank you!
Thank you for this pattern. I wanted something simple, no inserts or nose pieces and this fits the bill. Great tutorial.
At first I wasn’t a fan of the accent edges but on the second go I was hooked. I find that trying it on after basting the elastic is the best way to check for fit.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Great quality photos and explanations. I appreciate all your work.
Thank you so much for sharing! I have been wanting to make a mask but by sewing skills are minimal. Your tutorial is the first one I have found where the finished product is what I am looking for and I think I can actually sew it! 🙂 I appreciate it!!
I thought we were supposed to use a piece of wire like aluminum or stainless steel to make a nose “piece” that can be folded by the wearer to give a tight fit. Did I miss something?
Thank you for explaining step by step making the pleats. I’ve been struggling with the pleats!!😍😍💝
Bless you and thank you ever so much for sharing your time and attention to all of us. So sorry there have been awful comments. Dear, you certainly don’t deserve that and we can only hope those people come out of their stress with more love and compassion! Have a great life! Mahalo nui from Auntie Kathy in Maui 🤗💗🌺💗🤙🏽🐋🌴
You need to…give yourself a pat on the back! Thanks for sharing this pattern which is really just another way of sharing your love. It was easy to follow, and the tips you added at the end were also helpful. Take care!
Thank you for sharing the face mask with instructions and sizes needed. Have made a couple for my daughter. Keep up the good work. Thanks again.
Thank you. I’m tweaking the pattern a little. I’m making some for my 87 year old mom so instead of one 14” long mask out of same fabric, I’m using a pretty cotton fabric that’s 7 1/2” long and a super soft cotton knit For the inside that is 7 1/2” long And joining them with a 1/2” seam which I’m trimming down to approximately 1/4”. Yes, I could have made a quarter inch seam but chose not to. Thanks again. Stay safe. “This too shall pass”
Thank you for your time and additions, you make me know I can make this. (I put buttons on crooked lol), I’m so very grateful to find you, because your simple to follow design, is allowing me to help my local community with something I would have not believed I could do. Thank you again for being THAT human.
I apologize to you for having to read any negative comments, you don’t deserve anything but praise. My son has horrible allergies this will help him tremendously, as well as everyone I know. God Bless you and your family