Sewing Guidelines
- If you are sick, please do not make masks.
- Prior to making your mask, please wash you hands, clean/sanitize your work area (Clorox sheets or similar), and be sure it is free of food, smoke, and pets.
- Wash your fabric, ideally with unscented detergent, and dry it.
- If you are making several masks, remember to wash your hands frequently.
- When finished, wash and dry your masks again, put them in a ziplock bag, and include a note stating the material content and a note of thanks to those working to slow/stop the spread of the virus.
When making masks, please use whatever pattern you are comfortable with or make in accordance with any stated guidelines from the hospital/facility seeking donations (including materials requirement). Many facilities request 100% cotton fabric; other request polypropylene (such as OLY-fun). Smart Air shares What are the Best Materials for DIY Masks.
In the Sew to Stop COVID-19 Facebook site, you'll also find downloadable patterns designed by some of our members.
When making a rectangular mask, you do not need bias double-sided binding, However, you may still like working with it, and may need it in some circumstances. If so, visit Continuous Bias Tape Tutorial from Harts Designer Fabric. It provides clear instruction and a handy conversion chart to calculate need.
Face Mask Patterns and Videos
| THIS MASK IS FABULOUS! PERFECT FOR USING T-SHIRT TIES, TOO. Vali Schiller and Ami Simms designed this adjustable cloth mask. Two styles, filter pocket, optional wire nosepiece, gapless fit for all face shapes. It's a winner! This will fit over N95 masks, too. Valli and Ami -- hence, Valami. Free download here. |
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| THIS MASK IS FAST AND EASY! It can use elastic or binding ties, has a filter pocket, and a pipe cleaner for a snug nose fit. FACE MASK WITH FILTER POCKET, by Leah Day Downloadable Pattern |
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HOW TO MAKE A FACE MASK WITH TIES This pattern from Dana of Made Everyday is a version of the video that uses elastic that secures behind the head. |
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REUSABLE FACE MASK with FILTER POCKET No elastic, no pleats to sew, a flexible nose band, and a filter pocket. |
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HOW TO SEW A CLOSE-FITTED FACE MASK From Sweet Red Poppy |
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MAKE A HEALTHCARE MASK WITH FILTER POCKET Jennifer Tessmer-Tuck, MD and VP of Medical Affairs at North Memorial Health Hospital, who also happens to be a quilter, shares a straight-forward effective pattern. |
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| N95 MASK COVER WITH ADJUSTABLE CASING Visit the White Arbor Quilting Adjustable side face mask page for step-by-step directions and many helpful resources and suggestions. |
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| FITTED MASK WITH FILTER POCKET AND NOSE FIT Downloadable Pattern -- Note the printing scale for different sizes. If you don't have elastic or don't want to use it, here's a video tutorial on how to the same pattern without it from Quilt Addicts Anonymous. |
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| CRAFT PASSION'S FACE MAKING TUTORIAL Video details fitted mask with with filter pocket, removeable wire pocket, and tie closure. Visit website for step-by-step directions and downloadable pattern in four sizes. |
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| A.B. MASK BY A NURSE FOR A NURSE, by, Jessica Nandino The Instructables site includes a downloadable pattern and step-by-step sewing instructions. To the right is a video of someone making the A.B. Mask, and some pointers. |
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| THE OLSEN MASK by Clayton Skousen & Rose Hedges for Unity Point Health, Cedar Rapids, Downloadable Pattern |
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| REALLY EASY SCRUB CAP tutorial that is reversible, works on long or short hair, and requires NO pattern. | |
| HOW TO SEW A SURGICAL CAP instructions and pattern download |
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| SCRUB HAT tutorial with information on creating your own pattern download pattern |
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HEPA FILTER FACE MASK
Dr. Ryan Southworth explains how to make what he calls the made from a vacuum cleaner bag which uses a HEPA filter. NOTE Downloadable directions Downloadable pattern |
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Surgical/scrub caps and more resources
In late April, there has been more requests for scrub/surgical caps needed by hospitals and medical facilities. In addition to what is listed above, Hospital Gown Tutorial (LazyGirl) shares instructions on how to make. Artist and sewist Kevan Lunney designed a medical cap pattern for our use. A PDF of the Kevan Lunney Medical Cap pattern is here. It's one of my favorite patterns!
MakerMask.org has patterns for the "Surge" and the "Cover" designed to wear over an N95. The masks use polypropylene (OLY-fun from Joann's Fabric) - although you can adapt for cotton.
Pam Ruert shares a video sewing with polypropylene here. She also has a downloadable pattern. Using OLY-fun for Face Masks? What you Need to Know (Fairfield).
Emory Healthcare offers downloadable instructions for an N95 mask cover here.