If you’ve been thinking about learning how to sew, now’s a great time to learn to make this Easy To Sew Pleated Face Mask With Elastic Headband Loops! (You know what they say, there’s no better time than the present!) And given the current world climate, what a better project to learn with than this one!

Easy To Sew Pleated Face Mask With Elastic Headband Loops

The Benefits Of Sewing

There are many benefits to sewing, some of them include the improvement of hand-eye coordination and proper posture. Of course, a huge benefit is in the “saving money” aspect. Imagine how much you can save on alterations and being able to make your own home-sewn products?!

Easy To Sew Face Mask

Even a novice sewer can follow my step-by-step instructions to make my pleated face mask tutorial. Beginners can even complete this one in under 30 minutes! This reusable mask is also environmentally-friendly, taking very little supplies to put together.

Take a look at how easy this adult size pleated face mask is to make in this video slideshow:

Reusable Saves Money

My DIY cotton pleated face mask made with quilting cotton is an ideal project because it saves you a ton of money in the long run because you aren’t buying the store-bought version. Not to mention the fact that these are super adorable compared to the boring mass-produced boxed face masks. Am I right?! And the headband loops are so much more comfortable than the elastic they use.

Another way to save money is by making our  Easy Kid’s Gel Hand Sanitizer Recipe. It takes about 5 minutes to make and costs pennies compared to the store-bought.

Homemade Masks Are More Comfortable

If I’m being honest, the DIY fabric face masks you make at home tend to be more comfortable than the store-bought ones. This is because of the chemicals used in mass production. Don’t you think they tend to be stiffer and rougher on your skin even after you wash them? I hate that! So let’s make this

Supplies:

High thread count quilting cotton Fabric
Elastic headband
Washable fabric pen
Rotary cutting mat set
Scissors
All-purpose thread
Wonder sewing clips or pins
Turning tool or chopstick
Small iron
Ironing Board or mat
Sewing machine

Steps 1-2: Cut 2 pieces of fabric measuring: Large: 9″ x 7″ Medium: 9″ x 6″ or Small: 7″ x 5″. Cut 2 pieces of elastic headband 7″ for Large, 6” for Medium, and 5″ for Small. Using the fabric marker, mark 1/2″ down from the top on each side & 1/2″ up from the bottom on each side.

Steps 3-4: Pin or clip your elastic pieces in place at your 1/2″ marks. Using your sewing machine, baste elastic in place at each 1/2″ mark.

Steps 5-6: Place your fabrics right sides together and using your wonder clips or pins, secure them in place. Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew around all four sides, leaving a 3″ opening for turning.

Step 7: Using your turning tool, turn your mask right side out. Smooth open the mask, pulling the loops out & smoothing out the opening.

Steps 8-8c: Using your iron on medium-high, fold your mask in half, making a crisp crease. Open the mask & fold up from the bottom to meet the middle, & do the same from the top, and press 2 more very crisp creases. Now when you unfold the mask, you will see 4 very distinct folds. These will be the guides for your pleats!

Step 9-9a: When you pinch each pleat, it will naturally fold into a ½” pleat! Pin or clip each pleat into place. Using a ¼” seam allowance, use your hem gauge to hold the pleat, sew your pleats into place.

Now you are ready to protect yourself & others in style and comfort!