How to Sew Masks with Filter Pockets

Sharing is caring!

In view of the current scenario, I could not stop myself from designing a face mask. Initially, I was reluctant to design one, as I was doubtful about the effectiveness of fabric masks.

 

With the immense shortage of masks even for doctors and in the light of them asking for help to solve the shortage, I finally ventured out to design a fabric face mask that can give the maximum protection possible, if not complete.

 

 

This tutorial on how to sew face masks with filter pockets can help you make masks for yourself and also for others.

 

I know these masks are never a replacement for N95 masks but can be used in situations where N95 is not available. These masks can also be used as a cover for the N95 masks to make them last longer. In fact, even the CDC recommends the use of fabric masks in the absence of N95 masks.

 

 

These masks are designed with filter pockets. For the filter, you can use a piece of your cotton t-shirt, which according to the CDC, has a high ability to capture particles. In the absence of these materials, you can also use dried antibacterial wet wipes or even toilet paper as a filter.

 

 

 

These masks can be made in two ways, one with elastic and if your supply of elastic is over, you can sew them with ties. In fact, I can say that the mask can last longer with ties, as elastic tends to get stretched and damaged after multiple washes.

 

I have also given an option to attach a piece of pipe cleaner to hold the mask better over the nose and give it a perfect fit.

 

 

To make the masks, I recommend the use of tightly- woven, high thread count cotton fabrics for maximum protection. You can use heavyweight cotton fabric like quilting cotton or cotton fabric used for furnishings like bedsheets and pillowcases. Stretchable fabrics and knits are a strict no-no.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This mask design gives you the shield of four layers of cotton and an additional filter layer in between. It can also be made in adult and child sizes.

 

If you would like to see more of my face mask making tutorials, find them below:

 

 

 

How to Sew Masks with Filter Pockets

 

Disclaimer:

These masks are never a replacement for N95 masks. They can only be used when N95 masks are not available and also as a covering for N95 masks, to make it last longer.

 

CDC recommends that children under the age of 2, people with trouble breathing, and anybody unable to remove a mask unassisted should not wear a face mask.

 

• Following the suggestions of many of my readers, the tutorial has been updated with an external casing for the pipe cleaner to make it removable while washing.

 

Materials Required:

 

Pieces of tightly woven cotton fabric for the mask outer and lining- measurements specified in the table below.

 

3/8- inch elastic or fabric strips for ties – requirement specified in the table below.

 

Pipe cleaner or floral wire- 6-inches.

 

Sewing Notions.

 

 

Gather your supplies.

 

Cutting and Sewing The Mask

 

 

Cut your mask front, mask back, and lining pieces, referring to the table above.

 

 

Cut your pipe cleaner casing piece, referring to the table above.

Also, cut your elastic (or ties) and pipe cleaner pieces.

 

 

Place the mask front and one of the lining pieces layered, with the wrong sides together and aligning the edges. Repeat with the mask back and lining pieces.

 

 

Fold the long edge of the layers, towards the lining,  by 3/8- inch and press.

 

 

Sew down the folds along the edge.

 

 

Fold the two pieces lengthwise in half, aligning the edges and press.

 

 

Draw two straight-line markings along the two shorter edges, referring to the measurements in the picture above.

 

* Note that for adults the lines are 1- inch long and 1- inch from the folded edge. For children, the lines are ¾- inch long and ¾- inch from the folded edge.

 

 

Sew straight lines along the markings.

 

 

Open, turn over to the right side, and press.

 

 

Turn over to the wrong side and you can see two box pleats formed. Handpress the pleats flat to make it look like the pictures above.

 

 

Press with an iron to set the pleats. Repeat on the mask back.

 

Next, we sew the elastic.

• If you wish to sew ties instead of elastic, refer the end of this tutorial.

 

 

Place the edges of the two elastic pieces  ½- inch from the long edges of the mask front. Pin and sew the elastic pieces to the mask.

Next, we need to sew the pipe cleaner casing to the mask back.

 

 

Take the casing piece and fold the two short edges and one long edge towards the wrong side by 3/8- inch and press to set.

 

 

Fold it in half widthwise and mark the center along the raw edge.

 

 

Next, fold the mask back in half widthwise and mark the center, again along the raw edge.

 

 

Place the casing on the right side of the mask back, with its right sides facing up and the center marks aligning. Pin the raw edges of the two pieces together.

 

 

Sew along the pinned edge to join.

 

Let’s sew the mask back and front together.

 

 

Place the mask front and back layered, with the right sides together and aligning the edges. The elastic and the pipe cleaner casing pieces are now sandwiched in between the mask front and mask back. Sew the mask shut, leaving a gap of about three inches along the folded edge. Keep the seam allowance as 3/8- inch.

 

 

Cut the corners to reduce the bulk in the seam.

 

 

Bring the right side out through the opening.

 

 

Turn over to the mask back and sew the pipe cleaner casing shut along the other long edge. The two short edges are left open to insert the nose piece.

 

 

Poke the corners out gently, without tearing the corners.

 

 

Press the mask to set the pleats.

 

 

Take the pipe cleaner piece and insert it into the casing, through the opening.

 

 

Our face mask with a filter pocket is ready!

 

Tie Version:

Cut the four pieces for the ties, referring to the table above.

 

 

Take one of the tie pieces, fold the two longer edges towards the wrong side by 3/8-inch and press to set.

 

 

Fold it in half and press once again. Repeat on the other tie pieces.

 

 

Place the ties 1/2- inch from the long edges of the mask and pin. Sew the ties to the mask (picture for illustration purpose).

 

Pin it for later here,

 

 

 

For more of my free patterns, click here.

 

For hundreds of free patterns and DIYs, visit allfreesewing.com.

Sharing is caring!