How to DIY 3 Clever Elastic Earloop Substitutes for Your Face Mask
Face masks are a daily essential to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy! With all the masks being produced there is an elastic shortage. No need to worry! I have found three different ways you can make earloops for your mask without using elastic. If you are ready to add earloops to your homemade face mask then this tutorial is for you! Follow my step-by-step guide and learn how to make three different elastic substitutes to keep your face masks secure and in place.
Tools and Materials:
- 6 hair ties
- Lace trimming
- Cotton ribbon
- Old T-shirt
- Bias tape
- Pins
- Sewing machine
The first elastic substitute is something you probably have lying around the house. Hair ties! Start by cutting six hair ties into straight pieces.
Tie the ends of three hair ties together to create one big loop. Once your loops are ready, cut off extra end pieces of the hair tie.
Fold the ear side of the mask over your hair tie loop. Pin it in place and then sew down the fold.
There you have it! A perfect substitute for elastic earloops that works just as well!
The next elastic substitute is this gorgeous lace trimming which adds an elegant feel to any mask. Start by cutting the trimming about 30-36 inches depending on your size.
Fold the ear side of the mask over the lace trimming. Once it is folded in place, use a pin to hold it securely and sew the fold down.
Attaching lace trimmings in place of elastics adds extra texture to the mask making it more of a fun, fashion statement.
Fold the side of your mask over the ribbon, pin it in place and sew it!
Once your ribbons have been sewed onto the mask, double fold the end pieces and sew with a zig-zag or straight stitch.
The cotton ribbon is soft on the ears and easy to find. You can play with different colored ribbon to add to the aesthetic of your face mask!
I love the idea of using old T-shirt fabric strips to make earloops! It’s a material you already have sitting around the house that you know is super comfy!
Cut an old T-shirt into 1-inch strips.
Fold the ear side of the mask over the T-shirt strip, pin it, and sew it.
This T-shirt strips substitute is bound to leave your mask feeling comfortably tied to your head!
Cut the T-shirt strips shorter to create a comfy earloop for your mask! Using these strips adds so much softness and flexibility!
Use bias tape as a clever substitute for elastic earloops!
Fold the ear side of the mask over the bias tape. Once you have folded the mask, pin the fold in place and sew it down.
Neaten up the ends of the bias tape by folding the raw edge down and then fold the bias tape over that edge. Stitch the bias tape at the folds to the edge to the mask and back up again.
Bias tape is pretty comfortable and can be bought or made. To learn how to make bias tape go to 5:54 in my video tutorial. It’s so easy to create clever substitutes for elastic on a face mask. Which one would you choose? Let me know in the comments below!
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I saw a girl with a mask that had what looked like a wide (1.5 inch?) hair band that was attached to the sides of the mask and just went completely around her head! You could make or buy this sort of fabric which looked comfy and bypassed the ears entirely!!
A friend of mine made me a mask and used old bra straps for mine - LOL! I love it!!!