With the demand for cloth face masks at an all time high, I know I would be making masks for friends, family and donations. Unfortunately, there are so many mask patterns out there now, choosing has become a little overwhelming!
I knew for my own family that the things I cared about were that it was comfortable to wear, that it fit reasonably well and that I enjoyed sewing it. I figured if I am going to make 100s of the things, I’d better enjoy the process!! So I made several masks from the same materials and then my husband and I tried them on.
What we found after trying on a bunch of masks in rapid succession was that there wasn’t a huge difference between any of them. We each had our preferences to be sure, masks we just liked better, but all of them fit fine and worked fine. So what you make really just depends on your own preferences.
If you’re making masks to donate, ask them what they want and make the mask they request.
But if you’re making masks for friends, family, clerks and other non-medial people, you can make whatever you enjoy making.
Before we dive in, if you need more information on the various features of a cloth mask are, such as style, tie types or positions, you might want to check out my article How to Choose a Cloth Face Mask Pattern. If you have other questions about cloth face masks such as why or how to wear one, you might want to see my article Frequently Asked Questions about Cloth Face Masks. Otherwise, read on for the cloth mask pattern guide!
Cloth Mask Guide Contents
Pleated Masks
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Kaiser Permanente
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Made Every Day
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Froedhert Medical Group
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The Turban Project
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DIY Home Staging Tips
Shaped Masks
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Craft Passion
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JenniferMaker
Pleated Masks
KAISER PERMANENTE CLOTH MASK
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Style: Pleated
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Pleat Method: Measure and mark, then pleat
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Tie Material: Fabric
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Tie Construction: Binding strips extend to form ties
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Tie Position: Behind head
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Different Inner/Outer Fabric: No
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Size Options: Adult one-size fits all
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Filter Pocket: No
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Nose Wire: No
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Construction Style: Stitch the top and bottom, then turn and leave sides unfinished. Measure, mark and pleat sides, then bind raw edges.
MADE EVERY DAY
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Style: Pleated
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Pleat Method: Make three even pleats by eye so mask is 3” high
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Tie Material: Elastic or jersey knit strips
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Tie Construction: Sewn into corners before turning
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Tie Position: Behind head
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Different Inner/Outer Fabric: Yes
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Size Options: 14-adult, 9-13 years old, 5-8 years old and toddler
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Filter Pocket: Optional, by leaving one seam open
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Nose Wire: Optional, by enclosing a chenille stem inside of the mask
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Construction: Stitch all four sides leaving a gap, then turn and press. Make three pleats by eye so mask is about 3” tall then topstitch pleats into place.
FROEDHERT MEDICAL GROUP (popularized by JoAnns)
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Style: Pleated
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Pleat Method: Measure and pin, then pleat
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Tie Material: Fabric
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Tie Construction: Binding strips extend to form ties
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Tie Position: Behind head
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Different Inner/Outer Fabric: Possible, though not illustrated as such on the pattern
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Size Options: Adult, one size fits all
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Filter Pocket: No
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Nose Wire: No
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Construction: Stack fabric, then measure and pin sides for pleats. Pleat sides, stay-stitch, then bind sides and top forming ties.
THE TURBAN PROJECT
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Style: Pleated
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Pleat Method: Make three even pleats by eye
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Tie Material: Elastic
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Tie Construction: Sewn into corners before turning
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Tie Position: Around ears (This style can cause ear fatigue! Only make if specifically requested!!)
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Different Inner/Outer Fabric: Yes, the pattern calls for a flannel lining
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Size Options: Adult and child
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Filter Pocket: No
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Nose Wire: No
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Construction: Stitch all four sides leaving a gap, then turn and press. Make three pleats by eye then top-stitch pleats into place.
DIY HOME STAGING TIPS
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Style: Pleated, with fabric cut on the bias
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Pleat Method: Make three even pleats by eye
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Tie Material: Elastic
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Tie Construction: Sewn into corners before turning
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Tie Position: Crossed behind head
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Different Inner/Outer Fabric: Yes
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Size Options: No
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Filter Pocket: No
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Nose Wire: No
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Construction: Stitch all four sides leaving a gap, then turn and press. Make three pleats by eye then top-stitch pleats into place.
Shaped Masks
Craft Passion
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Style: Shaped
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Tie Material: Elastic, Jersey Knit Strips, Fabric
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Tie Construction: Ties thread through channel at sides of mask
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Tie Position: Behind the head OR behind the ears
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Different Inner/Outer Fabric: Yes
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Size Options: Men, Women/Teens, Kids 7-12, Kids 3-6
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Filter Pocket: Optional, using separate filter pocket pattern instructions
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Nose Wire: Optional, using additional nose wire pattern instructions
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Construction: Sewn using shaped pattern pieces similar to garment construction (cut by hand or use free Cricut and Silhouette cutting files)
JENNIFER MAKER
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Style: Shaped
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Tie Material: Ribbons, also suggested are string or other available non-stretchy materials
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Tie Construction: Sewn into corners before turning
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Tie Position: Behind the head OR behind the ears
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Different Inner/Outer Fabric: Yes
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Size Options: Small, Medium, Large which fits a range of kids to adults
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Filter Pocket: Optional, using additional filter pocket pattern instructions
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Nose Wire: Yes, optional
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Construction: Sewn using shaped pattern pieces similar to garment construction (cut by hand or use free Cricut cutting files)
That’s it!
I hope this helped you to find the right cloth mask pattern for you!! I will keep trying masks and adding them here as I do.
If you have a favorite mask pattern you think I should try, leave a comment below!
Meanwhile, here are some of my other posts about cloth face masks:
If you have any great tips for mask-making, leave them in the comments so we can all learn from your experience!
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