How to Sew a Face Mask with a Filter Pocket - Easy DIY.

Today's DIY is about how to sew a face mask and is relatively easier than some of the other tutorials I have seen out there. It was inspired by my sheer desperation to protect my family.

I saw a tutorial on a Youtube channel for a DIY face mask with pockets.

But by the time the 'situation' rolled around most supplies were out of stock and face masks were an endangered commodity. Enter Tara with her modest Sewing machine and limited sewing skills.

I have a video attached at the end of this post if you prefer to watch instead of read. I have also broken the process down to simple Step by Step pictures.

What you will need:

1. Fabrics

2. Pins to hold the fabric in place

3. A rotary cutter or a pair of scissors

4. A cutting mat

5. Iron and Ironing Board

6. Sewing machine

7. Elastic

Measurements for your mask:

For the adult size, I cut one piece of 24 cm x 19 cm for the outside lining and two pieces of 18 cm x 13 cm for the inner lining.

For the elastic, I cut 35 cm lengths . I used a medium stretch elastic, but you might need to reduce the length if yours is too stretchy.

For Children's sizes, I cut one piece of 21.5 cm x 16.5 cm for the outside lining and two pieces of 15.5 cm x 10.5 cm for the inner lining.

For the elastic, I cut 30 cm lengths . I used a medium stretch elastic, but you might need to reduce the length if yours is too stretchy.

How to make your mask:

1. Cut out all your fabric pieces and iron them.

2. Take your two lining pieces and fold over 1 cm as shown in the last image.

3. Once your pieces are ironed, tack them in place using the pins.

4. Sew a straight line down the fold and remember to remove the pins as you go along.

5. That's what it should look like, as shown in the last image.

6. Start aligning your pieces. Place the lining pieces on top of the Outer layer.

7. Very Important: The Outer layer should be right side up and the two inner layers should be wrong side facing you.

8. The raw edges of the inner lining should align with the bigger outer layer.

9. Pin all three fabrics together as shown.

10. Sew along the pinned side in a simple stitch.

11. Once you have sewed the pieces together, it's time to iron them out.

12. Iron the seams at both ends.

13. Flip the fabrics over and fold the lining as shown below.

14. Iron both lining pieces and flip back to the correct side.

15. With the correct side now facing you, fold the first pleat as shown in the image below and tack at either end.

16. Iron the pleats.

17. Sew down the pleats leaving a 2 cm margin from the end for the elastic.

18. Cut the elastic to size.

19. Tie a simple knot at the ends of both elastic pieces.

20. Decide how much fabric you will need to fold over the elastic. Example in the first image below. You could also do this last step by hand sewing.

Congratulations on sewing your mask. I used regular kitchen towels as filters in the pockets because at this time even woven fabrics were sold out.

Check out the video below for a seamless tutorial.

aI hope this tutorial could help you guys, be sure to leave a comment down below if you have any questions.

Stay safe and see you soon with another DIY.