During the coronavirus outbreak I started
making DIY Face Masks using some of the patterns
I found online, but I really didn’t like
fit, especially because I was used to my more
form-fitting and comfortable masks used for
carpentry or demolition. So I designed what
I’m calling the “Best Fit Facemask.”
It’s more form-fitted onto the face and
it has adjustable elastic ties around the
ears to fit a wider variety of faces.
Let’s get busy making the Best Fit Face
Mask and be sure to share this tutorial with
your friends and family and let’s kick Corona
Viruses butt!
During this time, the safest thing to do is
to stay home. For that reason I’ve compiled
this list of fabrics you may have in your
home that will work beautifully for your Best
Fit Face Mask.
Inside really good fitting face masks is some
type of flat wire. I’ve experimented with
a couple different materials to see what works
best. First I tried twisty ties doubled up.
They worked okay, but not as firm as I would
like on the bridge of my nose. I also tried
pipe cleaners, floral wire, and electrical
wire with less successful results as well.
This is the tie on a coffee bag. I can get
two nose clips out of one coffee bag! I just
pulled it off, cut it in half and it bends
in shape over the bridge of my nose. Well,
it doesn’t stay on until it’s in the mask,
but anyway I found this worked the best.
But, if you don’t have coffee bags or need
more nose clips, I offer a close second to
the coffee ties. Cut a piece of electrical
tape to 3 inches. Then cut two pieces of 18
gauge craft wire (or paper clips) to 2.5 inches.
Lay them on half of the tape and fold over
the tape to seal it to itself. Then trim off
the excess tape, making sure to leave some
tape on the ends to cover the wires.
I know one of the other materials that are
hard to find is elastic so here are a few
acceptable alternatives. I purchased ⅛”
round shock cord (or paracord) in bulk. Cut
two pieces of paracord 12 inches long. If
you can’t find paracord, you can cut t-shirts
into 1” strips, then stretch them out to
12 - 13”. Finally, if you can get your hands
on the flat (no pull) hair ribbons, you can
untie them and use one for each ear.
The key to the Best Fit Face Mask fitting
so well, is the adjustable straps. Using a
craft bead on the straps will allow the user
to adjust the mask to their face. The paracord
is the hardest to thread, but I use pointed
tweezers to poke the straps through.
Be sure to tie the ends of your straps to
prevent the bead from coming off.
If you don’t have craft beads, a button
with some craft twine can work well as a strap
adjuster. Finally, a jump ring can work too,
but it’s a bit harder to adjust.
Download and print out the templates. Make
sure to print at actual size and check the
size with the one inch box on the template.
Links for the templates are in the description
box below or on my blog.
Gently score and fold the two corners on the
template.
Trace the outside face mask template on your
fabric. I designed the templates so you can
get maximum use out of your fabric when making
multiple masks. It helps to fold over the
fabric and cut with the long sides of the
template on the fold. But, you can rotate
the template to fit more cuts out of the fabric.
You’ll just have to seam together the pieces
on the long side.
Now lay your inside liner template onto your
liner material. If you are making a filter
pocket, you’ll need two liners (but only
one outside piece.)
If you need to connect two pieces of fabric
together on the long side, do that now making
sure right sides are together. I used a very
small seam allowance.
Fold the corners of your template and mark
a line onto your fabric. Repeat this on all
pieces you cut out.
Stitch along all the marked corners. If your
fabric is printed, be sure your right sides
are together.
Now trim off the excess material at the corners
making sure to cut closely to the stitching.
Turn your outside mask material right sides
out and press it with the iron.
Lay the liner on top of the mask making sure
the angled corners match for the nose and
chin. Insert the liner fabric into the outside
material and align the points and angles.
Then center the liner so there is an equal
border of outside material around it.
Open up the mask to the center. Fold over
the outside material once to touch the edge
of the liner. Press and then fold over the
material a second time this time over the
liner.
This next step is only for those wanting to
add a filter pocket. Just know that the more
fabric you add, the harder the mask is to
breathe through.
Fold over ½ an inch of the material twice
at the ends of the second liner. Press it
with the iron. Now stitch over both sides
along this the edge to tack the fold over
in place.
After stitching, Insert the filter pocket
on top of the liner, matching all the corner
points. Then tuck it under the pre-ironed
edges. If you need to, iron the edges again.
Locate the nose portion of the mask. Remember
this is where you’ll be inserting the nose
clip.
Flatten the nose clip and tuck it under the
ironed edge of the nose. I inserted a pin
to hold the clip in place, but be careful
not to put the pin all the way through the
outside fabric layer so as not to add any
large holes in the mask.
Stitch along the edge of the fold, being careful
to avoid stitching onto the nose clip.
Rotate the mask and stitch along the chin
side of the mask.
Flip the mask over and feel for the nose clip.
Sew a few stitches to the left and right of
the nose clip to keep it from sliding around
in the mask.
Double fold the ends of your mask, being sure
to avoid the filter liner if you have one.
Time to grab those straps you made earlier.
Take one strap and tuck it under the fold
on the end. Stitch along the edge of the fold
taking care not to stitch over the elastic.
Repeat for the other side. Make sure your
elastic straps still move freely in the fold.
This allows the mask to cinch behind your
check and not pucker.
This concludes your tutorial to make the Best
Fit Face Mask. If you end up making these
to sell or donate, please send me an email
so I can add you to the database. And please
share this video with a friend or two or three!
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