Breathe Easy DIY Facemask

Tools and materials:

• Nonwoven fabric
• Outer fabric
• Wire piece
• Elastic
• Sewing machine

Use breathable fabric

For this DIY facemask, I used a nonwoven fabric as it has good dust filtration. This fabric is also lightweight and breathable. For the outer fabric, I used gauze-like fabric pieces that don’t help with filtering but are easy to breathe through. 

Cut the fabric pieces 

To create the pattern, I measured 20cm (8 inches) on the short side and cut off the rest and I had my pattern. I cut the nonwoven piece and then used it as a template to cut the outer piece. 

Sew the fabric

Next, I sewed the top area of the mask leaving a 1cm (0.4 inches) seam allowance. 

I then double folded the other end of both pieces of fabric and pressed the folds in place. 

I turned the fabric to face the correct side and then topstitched it to make sure it would lay flat. 

Insert the wire 

Next, I took the small wire piece and placed it under the seams. I sewed it in place with a zipper foot. 

Add pleats 

To create the pleats, I folded 5cm (2 inches) down and pinned. 

I then created an overlap of 1.5cm (2 inches). I pinned the whole pleat in place and then moved on to the second pleat. I did the same only this time I made a 1cm (0.4 inches) fold with a 1cm overlap.

I stitched the pleats in place and also zig-zag stitched the edges of the facemask. 

Add elastic

I took a piece of elastic and wrapped one end of the facemask around it creating a small channel. I sewed, making sure that I sewed the fabric and not the elastic band. 

I tied the ends of the elastic band together and the mask was complete. 

This facemask is so easy to make and I love that it is so breathable! What fabric pattern would you use for your own mask? Let me know in the comments below!