DIY Face Mask Resources
Hello friends! As many of you are already aware, wearing face masks has become a lot more common in Canada. I understand wearing a face mask can be uncomfortable, especially in hot weather, but I think it’s a small discomfort to protect people around you (and yourself!)
I was born and raised in Japan and it’s always been common to wear a face mask when one is having a cold or during a flu season even if you’re not sick. Many feel wearing a mask makes a difference during allergy season as well. It has been like that in Japan for decades. So the idea of wearing one is pretty familiar to me.
I’ve made a couple of masks for my husband and myself. I’ve tried a couple of different patterns, so I’d like to share those with you today. Unfortunately, I’m not able to make time to bulk sew masks to give away at the moment. But I hope this post comes handy for those who wants to try making one!
Canadian government guide for Non-medical masks
First, let’s look at the guidelines for non-medical masks from Canadian government.
In the guideline, it’s stated that “Non-medical face masks or face coverings should be made of at least 2 layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen)”. Although it says “woven” here, they’re also sharing how to make a mask out of a T-shirt, so maybe woven fabric is more of a recommendation, rather than a requirement.
The patterns I’m sharing today all have two layers. I’ve been using quilting cotton which is one of the most common cotton fabric in North America (I think.) It’s easy to source, is affordable, comes in variety of prints, easy to sew, and is one of those fabric that are tightly woven yet breathable.
Face mask patterns by Keiko Olsson
-Language of the pattern: English and Japanese
-Free pattern and tutorial
-Multiple sizes
-Elastics around the ears
Keiko Olsson has a few versions of the face mask patterns shared on her YouTube channel, Keiko Olsson Sewing Channel.
I’ve used her first version of the patterns.
This is my model for this post, his ear placement and the shape of his face are a tad different from us humans, but I think you can still see the shape of the masks!
Some great things about Keiko’s pattern:
You only need to cut out one piece of fabric to make two-layer mask
Minimum sewing
Has contoured fit
The construction is so simple (yet clever), so if you’re a beginner at sewing or have no sewing machine, this pattern will be a good start and I think it’s manageable with just hand sewing. It’s contoured to fit nicer around your nose too.
Since her first version, she has released updated versions with nose wire and filter, and improved summer version.
She also has great resources like basic hand-sewing technique, and how to install elastics without a special tool, etc.
Face Mask Pattern by STATE the label
-Language: English
-Free pattern with tutorial
-One size
-Elastics around the head
Their pattern can be found on their website: Face mask pattern by STATE the label
This shape seems to be one of the most popular ones here in Canada (and maybe in U.S.). It looks simple and clean, and designed to fit well on your nose. However, my husband who wears glasses had a problem with his glasses getting fogged. I also wear glasses but have less problem with the fogging. Perhaps it’s because we have such different bone structures. (I have a smaller and more flat nose.) For those who wear glasses might need to tweak this pattern a bit, so that you can put a nose wire in.
This one comes in one size; it fits my husband really well but is on the big side for me. But I don’t mind it, as I prefer a size with generous room. Plus, the nose pads of my glasses sit on top of the mask, and they press down the mask in place. It sort of works like a nose wire would. But perhaps if I were to talk a lot or move a lot, that might not stay on well.
If you prefer elastics around your head, rather than your ears, you’ll probably like this one! I prefer wearing mine around my ears, so I adjusted the elastics.
They also have masks available for purchase, which is great! I believe they are American company, so I’m not sure what the shipping cost would be like to have it shipped to Canada.
DIY Face Mask with Fitted Nose and Filter Pocket by kcoton
-Language: Japanese (with some English notes)
-Free pattern and tutorial
-Multiple sizes
-Elastics around the ears
Although her Youtube tutorials are in Japanese, there are some notes and numbers written in English as well. If you’re an intermediate or advanced at sewing, I think you can figure out the construction by watching her videos, too. The constructions of her masks are really clever! She has many versions and shapes, but I used this one: DIY Face Mask with Fitted Nose and Filter Pocket.
I really like the crispness of the top-stitching! Just like the name suggests, it has a filter pocket and a nose wire pocket. And the nose wire is actually removable! Meaning, we can take it out every time we wash them. Very practical! For that reason, this one is our (me and husband) favourite pattern, so far.
For myself, I made the standard size which is recommended for female, and I used the size LL (which is recommended for men) for my husband. LL has a really good fit for him. The standard size has a plenty height to cover my nose and mouth, and generally speaking it’s big enough for me. Although it felt snag around my chin (I have a rounded chin.) So I drafted a size in between the standard and the LL. That turned out really well, it has a plenty room just like I prefer, but it’s not too loose. (I don’t like the snag fit, but I’m also aware that too loose isn’t protective either. This one turned out just right, I think!) But if you don’t have a rounded chin like I do, the standard size would feel fine, I’m sure.
She has a ton of designs and updated versions of masks on her Youtube channel. Even if you don’t understand Japanese, I think they can be a great reference, in terms of learning the constructions of the masks.
*Update (Sep 9. 2020)
Kcoton has a newer and simpler version of the pattern. It can be found on her Youtube channel.
This one has no filter/nose wire pockets which makes the process even simpler and faster. But the nose wire slot cant be easily added, if you like. I always do! Because there’s no filter pocket, you’d sew the main and the lining fabric together which makes them stay in place together nicely.
I can out this one together quickly. The simple process always gives me a nice clean finish too. Kcoton patterns are still my favuouite, both the fit and the process!
*Update (July 27, 2020)
If you like this style of mask, but need a tutorial in English, Marie of A Stitching Odysey has made a tutorial video in English on her IGTV, using Romilda DIas’s pattern. The constructions of the Kcoton’s mask and Romilda’s mask are different, but the end result are somewhat similar.
My favourite is still Kcoton’s design, it fits me better and removable nose wire and filter option is great. But that’s my personal preference and someone with a different facial bone structure might find Romilda’s design more comfortable. Marie’s tutorial got a ton of positive feedbacks, so I think this pattern is also worth giving it a try, if you’re interested!
PDF pattern: Free 3D Fabric Mask pattern
*Update (Sep 7, 2020)
I found another pattern that is similar, both tutorial and pattern in English.
I found so many good reviews on Instagram about this pattern. It is a nice pattern, it has plenty of height so my mouth doesn’t touch the mask at all. I think it contributes to the comfort a lot. Plus, even if you have to do a lot of talking, your mask isn’t going to slide off! Unfortunately it didn’t fit my bone structure around my nose, and it made my glasses fog a bit more than my Kcoton ones. But this one is another pattern that is worth a try!
Those are the face mask patterns I’ve tried so far. I’m very grateful for these talented people who generously share their patterns with us. And a lot of them are free, with detailed free video tutorials. I know that takes a lot of work! So thank you to everyone who provides these information and share their skills with us.
Now let’s look at elastic options.
If you’re not sure what types of elastics options are out there, check out this blog post below.
Sewing Tutorial: How to Pick the Right Elastic for Your Sewing Projects by Make Something
As you can see in the photos above, I first used narrow cord elastics because that’s what I had in my stash. They work fine, but if I were to wear them more than an hour or so, they would start hurting my ears.
So I ordered some yarns that have elasticity. I got Ribbon XL by Hoooked and Maker Home Dec Yarn by Bernat. I ordered both from YarnCanada.ca. I wanted to try Zpagetti by Hoooked too, but I couldn’t find any Canadian online store that had them in stock.
Compared to cord or braid elastics, these yarns are less stretchy. But I think they have enough elasticity for masks and they’re much softer and much more comfortable. The two types of yarns I got are either 100% cotton or cotton/nylon blend, so they should be fine in the wash as well.
*Update (July 27, 2020)
If you’re not able to find Zpagetti anywhere online, there’s a Canadian made version of Zpagetti by Aster & Vine. I haven’t tried these yet, but I might! Thanks Cori for introducing me to this brand!
*Update (Sep 7, 2020)
So I had a chance to try on Zpagetti, but it was too wide as a mask elastic, and it didn’t have enough elasticity as I hoped.
I found another good alternative though. I bought a couple of really soft elastics from Funky Monkey Fabrics.
If you find wearing elastics around your ears too uncomfortable, but you can’t alter the elastics long enough to go around your head, there’s one more option!
There are these things called “ear savers” that let you wear your masks around your head, without switching the elastics. Just search for “ear savers” and I’m sure you can find a lot of ideas out there. One that seems really nice is the crocheted version by Cheryl Bennett.
Isn’t it so clever? She’s generously sharing the pattern for free on her website:
Crochet Ear Savers on Crochet 365 Knit Too by Cheryl Bennett
*Update (July 27, 2020)
If you‘re not into sewing masks and/or want to support local makers, Linda’s blog post, “Guide to Edmonton Area Face Mask Makers”, would be a great place to find local mask makers.
I think that’s all the resources I can share so far. If you have any suggestions or have useful information, please share with us in the comment section!
Stay safe, friends!
June 29, 2020
