Need a face mask? This is how you make one yourself!

Need a fashionable face mask for the train or bus? Luckily, you can easily make one yourself! With this handy step-by-step guide, you can give your old, favourite cotton MS Mode garment a new life in no time.

Let's get to work!

This is what you need

  • One or two old garments made from 100% cotton. The fabric must be washable at a temperature of at least 60°C.
  • Enough fabric to cut the patterns. Sizes: 26.5 cm x 21 cm (+ 1 cm width on 3 sides) and 22 cm + 21 cm (+ 1 cm width on 3 sides).
  • 4 x 40 cm ribbon or elastic band with a max. width of 0.8cm.
  • Sewing materials: Sewing machine, thread, pins, measuring tape and scissors.
  • The MS Mode pattern, printed or copied on pattern paper.
  • Optionally, filter material such as a vacuum bag, coffee filter or folded kitchen paper.



Instruction:

Step 1

Print out the MS Mode template with pattern and cut it to the desired size. Attention: select 'full size' in the print settings.

Step 2

Pin the pattern on your old garment. Make sure you only pin one layer of fabric! Tip: You can also choose two different fabrics instead of one.

Step 3

Cut out the fabric 1 cm along the pinned pattern. The extra 1 cm of fabric is the seam allowance. Add small cuttings to the seam allowance at the red lines. These will come in useful later when ironing.

Step 4

Fold the indicated folding lines on top of each other and go over them with an iron. This creates folds. Do this with both fabrics.

Step 5

Fold the bottom of the shorter section 1.5 cm inwards and iron it. Make sure the fold is on the wrong side of the fabric.

Step 6

Fold the top of the longer section 2 cm inwards and iron it. Make sure the fold is on the wrong side of the fabric.

Step 7

Topstitch the turned folds on the outside of the two pieces using a sewing machine.

Step 8

Align both parts of the section with the good sides and pin the bottom of the large section on the top of the small section.

Step 9

Sew the sections together with the sewing machine.

Step 10

Lay the ribbons or rubber bands on the sides of the large section and make sure that the other sides of the ribbons or rubber bands are placed in the middle of the section. Attach the strings to the right side of the fabric.

Step 11

Fold up the section and make sure the parts of the section are lying on top of each other with the right sides together. The large section is still out of proportion with the smaller one. You can solve this by folding the larger section in such a way that makes both sections the same size. Attach it with pins.

Step 12

Sew the sides of the section together with the sewing machine.

Step 13

Fold the face mask inside out and check that everything is in place. Then fold back the face mask and cut the remaining seam width on the side to 0.5 cm.

Step 14

Iron the face mask and add a filter if necessary.

Maintenance

After use you can wash the face mask at a minimum of 60 °C. Then let it dry out in the air. Does your mask have a ribbon? Then it is recommended to use a laundry net. When the mask is dry, you can also iron it with heat for safety.