Over the weekend I completed something I’m really proud of! Honestly, I worked like a dog because I felt the urgency to share this tutorial with the world. If you happen to follow me on social media, you already know that I created the Best Fit Face Mask. After struggling with several different patterns online I bemoaned the fit on all of them. Not one of the face mask were any I could wear for any length of time. You could say, I consider myself a face mask connoisseur especially because I searched for years to find my more form-fitting and comfortable masks used for carpentry or demolition.
Best Fit Face Mask
As a general contractor and woodworker, I had searched for form-fitting and comfortable masks to protect my lungs from dust and debris and had my favorites. Several didn’t have a good tight fit around the nose, which inevitably meant I was blowing sawdust out my nose at night. A good fitting mask doesn’t allow air to come in next to your nose. For that reason, I knew there were better options than most of the sewing mask patterns I found. After a weekend, I designed this easy sew Best Fit Facemask Tutorial for use by the public and medical professionals trying to protect N95 and surgical masks while also staying safe during the COVID crisis. (These are not a replacement for N95 or surgical masks. These masks are designed to add an additional layer of protection.) Looking for a simple, stylish, and better fitting face mask? Well, I have you covered. Get it? Covered? ;-D
Truth be told, my Mom reminded me I’ve been sewing and perfecting this design for almost forty years! This is me sewing a quilted rainbow vest (remember Punky Brewster?!)
And this was my costume for Future Day in elementary school. It’s a bit crazy that I thought the future was a place where we’d have so much smog we couldn’t breathe clean air. My costume was a mask with an oxygen tank on my back made from an egg carton. Kind of scary how our current day is a place where we fear the air we are breathing.
Thank goodness, we don’t have to wear tin foil covered milk jugs on our heads. I much prefer wearing the Best Fit Face Mask, a more form-fitted cloth mask with adjustable ties around the ears to fit a wider variety of faces (and keep from irritating the ears after wearing for long periods of time). The mask pattern also has an optional filter pocket, should you need the extra protection (although, frankly it gets harder to breathe the more layers you add.)
Here are a few details about the mask:
- Two Sizes (Medium and Large)
- Easy to Sew
- Filter Pocket
- Adjustable Nose Clip
- Fitted around nose, chin and cheeks
- Less Fabric Waste
Are you ready to make your own Best Fit Face Mask?
Click here to be taken to the full instructions with video and downloadable instruction sheet with templates!
One more thing, I share several options for materials, especially because there seems to be a shortage of elastic.
Prefer to purchase a Best Fit Face Mask? This is the link to the database of sellers.
Thank you for sharing your EXCELLENT mask template. I tried others but yours is by far the best!
From a ‘senior’ handy lady who appreciates all handy women who aren’t afraid to get in there and fix things.
Yes!!! Thanks for your comment.
I love this mask but cannot seem to print from your download. No button for printing
Depending on your computer, you should be able to hit Command + P (on a Mac) or Control + P (on a PC).
I want to make this but don’t have a sewing machine. I’m wondering about hand stitching this mask.
Bea, absolutely! It will take longer, but you can do it.
Can you give more details on the craft bead? When I google that there are so many different types! Thanks. And thanks for this tutorial. I’ve tried two other types of masks, keep looking for the “perfect” one for fit. I can’t wait to try yours. Thanks for guidance on the beads.
The craft beads I have are a 4mm hole. But, it’s tough to get the paracord through. I’d look for slightly larger holes.
Thank you SO much for this pattern. I’ll go rush off to try it out. I’ve been making masks, some patterns seem to fix ok, but the fitted patterns I’ve tried seem so small and haven’t fit well. I can tell this one is larger and I have a feeling it’s going to get my stamp of approval. Thanks again!
Hello: this might help. I had to go Brittany website and then find the actual site for the face mask then find the place why to click on “find instruction and template for the better fitting face mask: or something similar. Hope this helps. The Command P did not work for me.
I cannot seem to be able to get to pattern. What is the secret?
Did you click the link to go to this page? https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/
How do I get the pattern for the template
Here’s the link: https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/ It is at the end of the article you read ;-).
It’s here, can you let me know if you don’t see the link at the end of the article you read? Just want to make sure it’s visible. https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/
You can access the full tutorial here: https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/
Thank you for sharing good job!
Great pattern! Very well written instructions. I’ve tried several others, but like this one the best. Thank you for sharing it.
I really enjoyed watching your video of the best fit face mask with filter and love this great design.
As a Healthcare worker, these masks are greatly appreciated especially the filter ones.
Can you tell me how I can see the public database so that I can order some of these masks that are being made, especially the filer ones. Thank you in advance for your time.
I just started the spreadsheet of sellers. You can view it here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a6yqchGZJVuaUw1K2iezY_2ABViFSjog64OmsAEtkjo/edit?usp=sharing
Can I use OLY fun material between the layers on your mask?
Is a medium ok for a child, say 7-12?
Thanks,
Anne
Anne, my 13 year old wears the medium fine. I’m not sure about children younger. I didn’t understand your first question, was there a auto-correct in your sentence?
I love this pattern. Is there any way to get the template in a different format such as .jpg, or .svg?
I’m a teacher. I’m going to be helping deliver meals to students this week and was wanting to make a mask. I don’t have a printer here at home but I do have a Cricut! If I have the template in one of those formats I should be able to cut out a pattern.
Thank you so much!
Sorry, you are welcome to download the PDF and turn the pages into JPEGs.
I do not see how to print the pattern
The link is at the end of the article you just read: https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/
Where can I locate the pattern
Everything you need is in the link at the end of this article: https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/