Best Fit Face Mask
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.
An interesting option for the elastics. Panty hose.
Can your face masks be made for children?
6, 8, 11 year olds?
As posted in the instructions, I do not have children’s sizes: “Because children are a wide variety of sizes, you will need to downsize the template by printing the medium mask smaller. From limited testing, we found reducing the medium mask by 12% when printing yielded a mask that fit a four year old, but was still too big for a two year old.”
This was the best face mask pattern I have found. Much better fit and easier to make than the pleated ones. Thanks!!!
Can I use duct tape instead of electrical tape? If not do you have any other tape suggestions. Ran out of coffee ties which worked great.
Yes
Thanks going to make a few tonight. BTW I found these work great for nose clip. I encased them or used electrical tape to stop edges from ripping through. I also clipped off the pointy ends and trimmed the length of it down.
https://www.staples.com/Staples-Self-Adhesive-Fastener-2-3-4-Width-2-Capacity-100-PK/product_1798845?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:1798845&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1798845&KPID=1798845&gclid=CjwKCAjw7e_0BRB7EiwAlH-goDlyQANbqYGeTh1d2CbUKQ_o9_ujiq66MP9RU7k45p3doIHJKjwhsBoCKQYQAvD_BwE
Can you please give the pattern with measurements on a grid for those of us without access to printers right now? Thank you.
It’s on this page: https://prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/
Hi! I love love love your mask! Is there anyway to turn it into an svg so I could use my cricut maker to cut the fabric instead?!
Sorry, I don’t have that capability.
I think your mask is exactly what I’m looking for; I’ve tried 2 other patterns and they are ok, but not quite right for me. I will try this tonight! Thank you! PS. I need to check out more of your blog.
Then knot the ends of the twine together? I apologize, I just can’t picture it! I guess I should go out and buy beads!!
Thanks for your help.
thank you! none of the masks I’ve made are that comfortable, and I look forward to making yours!
Not a sewer, not very crafty. These masks were not difficult and do fit better than any other mask I found!! Thank you for the design. The coffee bag nose piece was also the best idea!
I cannot figure out how to use the button instead of the bead for the slider. Will someone please explain how to attach the twine? Thank you!
Feed twine through the holes of the button and around the straps. Make sure it’s snug enough to hold the straps but not too tight that you can’t move the button.
I didn’t find any measurements for the template, and for the 2sizes
Did you click on the link taking you to the full tutorial? That’s where you’ll find the scan with the dimensions. Here is the link again: https://prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/
I as well have tried different patterns, but I like yours, going to try this tomorrow.
Love your website.
HOW DO I PRINT OFF THE TEMPLET FOR THE PATTERN?????
Did you click on the link at the bottom of this page? The one taking you to the full tutorial? https://prettyhandygirl.com/best-fit-facemask/