This tutorial is for a child size cloth mask with a filter pocket and straps.
I saw a lot of people posting on social media about making cloth masks, and it looked like an easy craft to pass the time, so I thought I’d make some for fun.
I’m sharing how I made them in case you want to try it out and just don’t know where to start.
I made three different sizes. I started with the largest and pared it down for the smaller faces in the family.
This style has a pocket for a filter to be added, if desired. It also has straps, as elastic can be painful around the ears and can’t adjust for a safer fit.
I use sew-in type interfacing as a filter, as it’s washable. You can sew this in when making the mask, but I wanted mine to be removable in case anyone had trouble breathing through it. You could also later add more of it in the pocket, if you can tolerate it.
I don’t see many tutorials for child size masks online, so I’ll start with that one.
The fabric store wasn’t really sounding safe to visit, so I worked with what I had on hand. I wanted a soft flannel for comfort on the inside, so I used two different fabrics for the inside and outside of the mask.
SUPPLIES
Flannel 7.5×5.75”
Printed Fabric 7.5×5.75”
[Or if you use one piece of fabric folded, 7.5x11”]
Fabric for Straps 2×34”
Pipe cleaner
DIRECTIONS
I took one pipe cleaner, folded it in half, and twisted it together. I folded the ends in so they don’t poke.
If you want to sew interfacing into the mask, cut a piece equal to the inner piece of fabric, minus about an inch along the 7.5” edge (so you don’t have to fold it and sew through all those layers later) and layer it on the inner piece. Baste stitch the sides of the interfacing so it stays in place.
Sew the inner and outer mask pieces together, right sides facing, along the 7.5” edge with ¼” seam allowance. If you attached interfacing, this seam will be on the edge with interfacing layered.
Take the front part of the mask, fold the 7.5” edge to the wrong side ½” and sew, leaving a tube to later slide your pipe cleaner into.
Slide the pipe cleaner into the tube and center it in the tube.
Fold the mask along the bottom seam so it is 2-ply and the front is on top. Take the inside of the mask, and fold the 7.5” edge to the wrong side. Assess how much of the inside you want to see over the top of the mask. Adjust the fold on the inside and sew in place.
Fold the mask at the bottom seam so it is 2-ply. Baste stitch the sides near the edges.
You can mark with pins or just eyeball the folds for the pleats.
My folds, roughly:
From the top of the mask going down…
Outer fold 1” from top edge
Inner fold 5/8” below that
Outer fold 1.25” below that
Inner fold 5/8” below that
Pin the folds. You can press the folds to help them stay in place.
Fold the 2×34” strips of fabric in half lengthwise and press.
Fold the long ends in to the center fold and press. Re-fold in half lengthwise and press closed. Fold the ends in and press.
Align the center of the strap length with the center of the mask edge.
Slide the mask edge into the center fold of the strap and close. Sew strap closed over the mask edge and continue sewing the strap closed to the end. Backstitch the ends for durability. Come back to the mask and sew the strap on the mask a second time going the other direction, continuing to sew the rest of the strap closed. Do the same for the other strap.
If you want to put in a removable interfacing filter, cut a piece 6.5×4.5”. Manipulate it into the mask and pleats.
You are ready to go!
Wear the mask snug to the face. Remember this protects others from you, not so much you from others. Keep at least six feet between yourself and others.
Wash masks in hot water after each use. Hang in sun to dry (and kill germs), or machine dry hot.
