Face masks have so many wearable options other than a “face mask”. They are also great for all seasons. If you have seasonal allergies these can be helpful during allergy season. If you are an outdoor type, these are awesome for hiking and other prolonged outdoor activities to help prevent sunburn. The most obvious season for these is Winter. Keeps your neck, face, and/or head warm without the bulky extra layers.
This will come together very quickly. It is just a few steps. I am using cotton lycra with 50% 4 way stretch, if you have a knit with more stretch you can cut your width down to 18.5″. You don not want anything too thick or with less stretch. The more stretch the better! I will be showing you 2 different face masks here. One is a solid piece and the other is a split style.
1st cut your fabric out. If you are doing the split version, cut it in half, but add seam allowance the the middle to sew it together.
Here I have sewn my middle seam for my split style option.
After you have your fabric cut, fold the long ends (the width) together and sew down the side. If you don’t have a serger, you can use a zig-zag stitch.
That is basically it! No joke 🙂 You have 2 choices from here.
- Hem the ends. If you have a very stretchy, lighter weight knit, this is a good option. For me my cotton lycra is not stretchy enough to do a hem.
Howw to hem knits without a cover stitch. - Leave the edges raw. Yes, knit fabric can be left raw. It will not fray, it may curl up a little, but it will not fray. You do need to secure your serged ends. I just zig-zag over the very tip on each end of my serged seam. If you used a standard sewing machine, just make sure you back stitched.
Finished my seams with a loose siz-zag.
All finished.
Neck warmer/ mini scarf.
Face mask- lower mask
Wide headband/ keeps ears warm
Face mask- High up face mask
You can also pull it over your whole head, leaving an opening for just your face.
Like my fabric?
Faux sparkles are from Pink Zeppelin Fabric
Other helpful articles about knits
Basic tips for sewing with knits
Choosing the right needles
How to pick your knit fabric
Comment and let me know how you like my tutorial. If you use my tutorial or sewing tips and share them, please link back to me or use the hashtags #LittleRagamuffinTutorial #LittleRagamuffinTip
Thanks!!
Sure thing! <3
Loving this! I put a link on my website to your diy tutorial!
Thanks for the idea!
How can I make one with using cotton fabric I just bought. Is there a way to make it stretchy with cotton. O. Outside thank you
I think if you used the stretchy knit & just sewed in a cotton panel
Wide enough to cover your nose & mouth. Maybe even sew with an opening to put a pocket for a filter . Might be easier for children & some adults.
Cut on the bias
You could probably cut the fabric on the bias. That will allow it to be stretched a little for a snug fit.
Can you please PDF this excellent post? Thank you!
I love this idea because the elastic around my ears take my hearing aids off. Thank you so much!
Very expensive lose.
Boy! Can I relate to loosing a hearing aid – $2,700 later and I lost two earrings and not for the same pair! I am going to try this . Thanks for sharing – from another hearing aid wearer!
This is great! I have an adult son with a tracheotomy I have been trying to figure out how to cover him so he can go out safely Thank you!!! Thank you!!!
How to order your face mask/buff?
Which ones should the measures for kids? Aprox?
This is great it can be used for lots of other things.
Like it very easy and stylish thank you.
Great idea! I’ve been making masks for friends and coworkers, but my boyfriend saw one of these and asked if I could make him one. He loves it, and now I’m getting requests from other people. I just wish I could GO TO a fabric store!!!
I have a local JoAnn Fabric store. They provide curbside pickup. It is great for everything from fabric, to yarn, to trims, to threads and elastics. If your local store doesn’t have what you need, you can search other local stores and do curbside pick up by driving a few extra miles.
JoAnne’s Fabric stores have the convenience of ordering online and parking lot pickup!
Have you found tubular fabric? My grandson has a gator that is made of thin stretch material. Both ends are cut off and there is not a seam at all.
Would like to find a source for tubular fabric. Thanks
Very Nice Idea
Hello..thank you so much for sharing..I was wondering if spandex fabric would be ok?
Do you know What size would you cut for a child?
What would be measurements for a eleven year old
Measure around their head at the ear level for length and frim shoulder to top of head fit lenght.
This is so ideal for our winter in SA. Thank you. May your creativity be blessed.