Love in the Time of Corona: How to Sew Matching Valentine's Face Masks

Adriana G
by Adriana G
13 Materials
$7
35 Minutes
Easy

How do you show love to your Valentine? You make matching Valentine's face masks, of course! This easy origami-style mask can be customized for the holiday of love to include a heart design or anything else you desire!


Here’s how to make a Valentine’s Day face mask!

Tools and materials (this makes 2 masks):

  • Outer fabric - 2 pieces each 7 X 7½ inches
  • Lining fabric - 2 pieces each 7 X 7½ inches
  • String or elastic
  • Beads
  • Chopstick
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Ruler
  • Pencil or tailor’s chalk
  • Sewing machine
  • Iron
  • Felt
  • Sequins/pearls/studs (optional)


You’re going to make two masks because what says I care about you more than masking up? If you’re going out to celebrate Valentine’s Day this would be so cute!


You can make the masks larger or smaller by increasing the fabric sizes by half an inch up to an inch or decreasing by the same amount.

Making the face mask pattern

1. Make the mask pattern

Lay the lining and outer fabric with their good or right sides together. 

Folding the fabric to crease it

Fold the fabric in half. Press to flatten well. Then fold it in half again and press again. This helps create a crease. 

Measuring and marking the fabric

With both folds at the bottom, use the ruler to measure up 1½ inches and mark that spot.

Drawing a line across

Then place the ruler diagonally and mark the line across.

Cutting a corner of the fabric

Cut this piece off.

Cutting the elastic straps for the face mask

2. Insert the straps

Open up the fabric. You can use elastic or string to keep the mask on your and your loved one’s ears. Cut the elastic or string to about 12 inches.

Sandwiching the straps between the fabric

Fold the string or elastic in half. Lay the folded string in between the two pieces of fabric, with the loop inside, sandwiching them in.

Pinning the straps to the face mask

Keep the ends of the loops just outside of the mask pattern. Pin at every corner including the elastic or string ends. 

Sewing the Valentine's face mask

3. Sew the mask

Sew all around the mask leaving a ¼-inch seam allowance. Leave one short side of the mask unsewn so you can turn it right side out. Make sure to backstitch over the strings for extra security.

Snipping the corners of the face mask

Once the masks are sewn, trim any excess threads. Snip or clip the corners to reduce the bulk so it lays perfectly flat when you turn it inside out.

Easy origami mask for Valentine's Day

Turn the mask inside out. Use a chopstick or another implement to sharpen the corners.

Folding in the unsewn edges

4. Add the origami look

Fold in the unsewn edges. Give the mask a press to flatten.

Pressing the mask with an iron

Then, fold the mask in half so the strings or elastic lay on top of each other. Give the mask another press to create a lovely crease in the center. 

How to sew a face mask

With the mask on its side, mark 2½ inches from the bottom and the top.

Marking the face mask for the origami detail

Then use the ruler to mark 1½ inches on the slanted sides.

How to make an origami mask

Connect those dots with your marking pencil.

DIY origami mask

Sew down these guidelines with a straight stitch. Make sure to backstitch the edges.

Inside of the Valentine's face mask

Once these are sewn, this is what it looks like inside.

Flattening the bottom of the face mask

Flatten the bottom and try to line up the center point with the seam. Use the iron to press it in place. Do the same technique for the top of the mask.


You may need to add some extra steam to flatten these points.

Pinning the face mask

Pin both of these in place.


Topstitch the entire mask as close to the edge as possible. Use a coordinating color thread. 

How to sew a heart face mask

5. Add the Valentine’s Day hearts

In this tutorial, I’m showing a split heart. To make this, cut out a heart from red felt. Cut the heart in half decoratively.


Place each heart half on coordinating sides of either mask. Pin in place. Topstitch the heart.

DIY heart face mask

If you want to have the soft, fluffy, fuzzy look of the heart, simply sew the heart without using any interfacing to stiffen it.

DIY Valentine face masks

Once you’ve topstitched it in place, rub the seam allowance of the felt heart to fray it and fluff it up.

Finishing the straps for the face masks

6. Finish the straps

If you’ve used elastic, straps are done. If you’ve used string, place a pony bead on each ear loop. You may need to use a needle or other sharp implement to push it through.


Once it’s at a comfortable place for you and your loved one’s ears, make a tight knot towards the outside of the bead. Pull the string taut and cut off the loop.

How to make matching Valentine face masks

DIY Valentine face masks tutorial

You’re done! Please let me know if you made these easy origami Valentine’s Day face masks for you and your loved one. Stay safe and healthy!

Suggested materials:
  • Outer fabric - 2 pieces each 7 X 7½ inches
  • Lining fabric - 2 pieces each 7 X 7½ inches
  • String or elastic
See all materials

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2 of 4 comments
  • Nessa Alexander Nessa Alexander on Jan 31, 2022

    👍🏾♥️👍🏾

  • Renee Renee on Jan 31, 2022

    I'll mention that the best masks consist of different materials. One layer of cotton (600 count thread is the best, but it only comes in expensive sheet sets so I use woven cotton fabric), one layer of stretch chiffon (90% polyester, 10% spandex), and another layer in the middle. I usually use sew-in interfacing.


    The stretch chiffon alone has been demonstrated in scientific experiments to physically block 67% of virus containing droplets, so the amount blocked is increased with each additional layer. These materials trap viruses using chemical properties as well as physical size. Three layers are much more effective than two.

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