If you want to make a reusable mask but you don’t have elastic, then this tutorial is for you. Instead of elastic, you’ll create fabric ties and attach them to the mask. The ties are then tied around the wearer’s head to secure it around the nose and mouth. Since you have the ability to change how tight or loose you’d like the fabric ties, this mask can fit both adults and children.
Materials
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1/4
yard main fabric -
1/4
yard lining fabric -
1
yard binding fabric
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Cut Your Fabric
Cut a 9″ x 6″ rectangle of the main fabric and the lining fabric. Cut two strips of fabric 2 1/2″ x 43″ for the binding. Set aside the strips for now.
Stacy Fisher
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Make Your Binding
If you have pre-made binding you can use that here or you can make your own with the strips you cut in Step 1. Here’s how you do it.
- Fold the strip in half by the long edges with the wrong sides together. Press and then open.
- Fold down the top edge of the fabric strip and bring it down to meet the middle line you just made with your iron.
- Fold up the bottom edge of the fabric to meet the top edge.
- Fold the strip together just like you did at the beginning.
- Repeat with the second fabric strip.
Stacy Fisher
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Get Ready to Sew
Place the main fabric down on your table with the right side facing up. Place the lining fabric on top, right side down. Both pieces of fabric should have their right sides facing each other. Use sewing pins to pin the short sides of the mask.
Stacy Fisher
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Sew the Sides
Sew along both the short ends of the fabric with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn right side out and give it a nice press with your iron.
Stacy Fisher
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Create a Fold
Now it’s time to create several folds to help you easily mark where the pleats will be added later. Fold the bottom long edge of the fabric up to meet the top. Press.
Stacy Fisher
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Finish Folding
Fold the top edge of the fabric towards the middle, using the pressing line from step four as a guide. Repeat with the bottom edge of the fabric. Press and then open the mask back up.
Stacy Fisher
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Pin the Binding
Open the binding and tuck the mask fabric rectangle into the folds of the tape so the raw edge of the mask is enveloped by the tape strip. Pin. You’ll want to have equal amounts of binding coming off of both sides of the mask. Pin the other fabric strip in the same way to the bottom of the mask.
Stacy Fisher
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Attach the Binding to the Mask
Stitch along the entire length of the bottom long edge of the top binding tape to secure it to the mask, tucking in the ends of the strips as you go. Repeat on the bottom, this time stitching the top edge of the tape.
Stacy Fisher
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Create Pleats
Fold the fabric of the mask accordion-style to create 1/2″ pleats using the pressing lines you made at the beginning as reference. Pin the sides as you make the pleats.
Stacy Fisher
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Sew the Pleats
Sew along the sides to secure the pleats. Repeat on the other side. Your mask is finished!
Stacy Fisher
Alternatives to Binding
Instead of making your own binding, you can use pre-made bias binding or quilt binding for the ties. You could also add strips of jersey knit from an old t-shirt instead to secure the mask.
Caring for Your DIY Mask
It’s easy to care for your fabric mask. Wash it with your regular laundry to clean after each time you wear it.
Source: The Spruce
