Lockdown Sewing a Mask
The new improved version of this tutorial (with the elastics and the insertion of a nose clip) is available here.
This mask was created using the pattern provided by AFNOR (French Standardization Association) here :
www.afnor.org.
I added an opening at the bottom to have a possibility to insert a filter, just like if it was a pillowcase. Second difference is in the attachment system, which allows to fix the mask using only one knot.
Unlike the mask with the central stitch, this model is less fitted and as a result a little less classy. But having sewed, worn and offered both, I finally find this one more comfortable in the long run: it's a bit like a difference between wearing a tight pencil skirt and a cotton hippie dress =) And since once outside it's better to not to touch the mask, I find this model more versatile: you can laugh, talk and even scream without having to adjust it.
Good sewing,
Ania.
The pleat steps: 25 mm – 25 mm – 25 mm – 50 mm – 25 mm – 25 mm – 25 mm
(in inches it looks like this: 1 – 1 – 1 – 2 – 1 – 1 – 1)
Wash, dry and cut your fabric, adding a little margin for sewing.
I've added an extra 2 cm on the bottom of the outer square to make the flap (which will turn our mask into a miniature pillowcase =)
Otherwise, to make fabric straps, cut a strip of fabric 3 cm wide and at least 1 metre long (1 x 40 inches)
Fold the flap (excess of the outer square) to the right side of the fabric, then assemble the two squares obtained right against right.
Make a perimeter stitching on the other three sides, as if you were making a pillowcase.
If you have elastics (I envy you! =), just attach them to the sides.
Otherwise, cut your 1 meter strip of fabric into 4 pieces. The first two will be used to tie around your ears, the other two to make a nice tie around the back of your head.
They will be too loose to hold on their own, this is ok. We'll attach the two remaining strips (a slip knot is enough) to make the pretty ties.
Thanks to this system, there is only one knot to make to put the mask on. Even better, it adapts more easily to any morphology and can be tightened at the desired level of the back of the head.
And most importantly, wash your mask after each use.
