DIY Face Masks: Review of 2 Online Methods

UPDATE! Those making face masks to be distributed in Birmingham should email bibandtuckersewop@gmail.com for drop-off procedure. At this time, we're asking for drop-offs of 25 masks or more at a time. Thank you!

Samples of 2 DIY face masks I made using tutorials on the internet. Read on to find links to the tutorials and a few tips I would recommend from following the tutorials.

The internet is a wondrous place! A community contact has offered to distribute masks to vulnerable populations if Bib & Tucker makes them and so I've been looking for the easiest version of a DIY face mask. This may be part 1 of further investigations, but for now, here are my two cents:

I thought the above design was going to be the easier of the two, but because I used t-shirt material for both front and back of this mask, it was WAY hard! The video tutorial can be found HERE. I found it impossible to pleat two layers of t-shirt and then fold over the edges to make the elastic loop holders for the ears. The fit is slightly better than the 2nd mask I made, but it wasn't fun and easy to put together. If I did this one again, I would use a thinner material, which seems counter-intuitive, given that we're trying to make a mask with protective layers to it...also, I didn't have the right kind of elastic here at the house, so I cut a 1 in-thick piece into four strips (.25" apiece!), which worked well, but wasn't very attractive since the edges were fraying. I wanted to try some rubber bands but the ones I had pulled my ears forward.

I am much more pleased with how this mask turned out AND it was a lot easier to put together. There is one big issue with this one, though: it requires a special pattern. I've done my best to translate the dimensions but you'll have to create the curves on your own and I think that's just a matter of trial and error. The video tutorial can be found HERE. See below for a few helper images...I highly recommend watching the video one time through, checking out my images below, and then going from there. Feel free to email bibandtuckersewop@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, etc!

The dimensions shown here do NOT include a seam allowance. I left a .375" (three eighths) perimeter around the edge of my pattern piece and let that be my seam allowance.

For the felt pieces, you will only need a seam allowance around three of the four pattern sides. Make sure to watch the video if you're confused.

One big tip! I created the paper pattern first and then used it to make the felt pattern. Just make one mask to start to make sure your curves are working and then, go to town!

Our sweet Geeshie is very particular about where she rests and she has many, many places throughout our home where she perches. Ever since our self-imposed confinement, she's decided that my craft room is her preferred resting spot. And, leave it to a cat not to be too concerned with clutter! Phew!

I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and sane during this unprecedented time of isolation. We at Bib & Tucker remain determined to keep our little sewing family's spirits uplifted and hope that the family grows virtually during this time, too!