Face Mask with Filter Pocket Tutorial

Materials Needed

Fabric- 1 piece cut 10" X 15"
Elastic- 2 pieces cut 6 1/4"
Twist wire-1 piece approx. 4-5" long (I am using the twist wires that came with plastic sack)                OR a pipe cleaner cut to fit
Thread
Sewing Machine
Marking Tools-chalk, Frixion Pens, fabric pencil markers, etc.....
Filter material/non-woven

Fold fabric in half right sides together (RST) matching short 10"ends together

Measure and mark 2 1/2 " in on each top edge.

Stitch 1/2" seam from edge to the 2 1/2" markings, back stitch to secure seam, leave the center open.

Press center seam open.

Fold under edge of seam and press, then edge stitch to finish edges being careful not to catch the underneath layer.
If you prefer you can simply serge the edges before sewing, or after. I like this finished edge because it will make the opening more durable as it will be utilized often from changing out the filters.

Place the seam in the center of the tube. To find the exact center, fold tube in half at the newly made seam. Flatten out gently. On the opposite end where the fold it, place a pin on each side to designate the center of the front of the mask. Open up and match the seam to the pins, pin in place as shown.

Measure and mark each corner  at 1 3/4". Draw a diagonal line matching the markings at each corner.

EASY BUTTON

cut a 1 3/4" square out of poster board and cut in half diagonally

Place in corners

mark corners-no measuring-easy 😀👍

Sew each diagonal line, backstitching to secure stitches.

Trim off corners leaving about a 1/4" edge.

Turn right side out and press.

This is the inside of the mask where the filter can be inserted.

If your fabric is directional, be sure to check the front of your mask before placing your twist wire nose piece. Flip your mask over, decide what is the top and once determined, slip in the twist wire in along the top edge of the mask. You can secure it with pins to make sure it doesn't slip out of position before and while sewing.

Top stitch 1/4" from edge on all STITCHED seams.

Lay mask on pressing surface, outside down, pocket up facing you.
You are going to fold the top and bottom sewn edges into the center overlapping slightly and press.
Use the top-stitching around the filter pocket opening as your guide. Press.

The next part is a little tricky. If you aren't sure what or how to do it, please leave a comment and I will try and explain better.

You will be folding the corner of the folded edge down

to the folded edge, creating a 90 degree angle.

Below, notice how it made a 90 degree corner 

Clip or pin in place.

You will notice that as you are folding the corners down and securing that the mask doesn't lay flat, the ends curve up, that is normal.

These folds are what helps the mask contour around the chin and nose.

To finish the ends, turn a 3/8"-1/2" seam towards the 90 degree corner you just created, then turn again covering/catching the fold. Clip or Pin in Place. See photos.

Tuck ends of elastic at both ends and edge stitch all the way around. Go over the ends a couple times to firmly secure the elastic in place.

And you are done!!! 

Well Done!!!

Ideas for the filter fabric: Hepa vacuum bags were tested and shown to be one of the better materials to use as a filter. Not as good as the N95 or surgical mask.

Other ideas for elastic? Hair elastic!!! I have a few black ones and when cut they are about 6 1/4" long!! So they might work. I will be trying them out. 

ALSO

I will be experimenting with ties for this pattern. Elastic is getting hard to find so making ties out of bias or out of coordinating fabric can work too. Just need it long enough to make a bow in the back to make undoing it easier for the wearer.

Once I get a few made with ties, I will update this post showing how I did it. If you have ideas, please share here!!!

And, if you make any masks from this tutorial, email them to me and I will post them on my blog!!!

Happy Sewing!!!

Martha

Disclaimer: These face masks do not replace the N95 or Surgical Masks
I did not design this pattern, it is not for sale.