Cloth Masks

     Now that many people are slowly getting back to work and into a "normal" feel for life, kids possibly going back to school depending on your own personal situation, it is even more important to wear a mask. 

     Max and Meena is listing a free mask pattern to help keep you and your family protected. 

     You can find the file in the files section of the group. Click here 

     Sizes are Child, Teen-Medium Adult, Large Adult. You can assemble the adult with or without a pocket. And your choice of ear loops or over the head to secure your mask. 

    Here's what you will need. 

• Two layers of fabric. Keep in mind that stretchy fabric will allow more particle to pass through. Stiff fabric like cotton woven, flannel, duck fabric are suggested. 
• Cutting tools.
• Elastic/cotton lycra strips/nylon whichever you would like to use to secure your mask to your face. 
• Closure/toggles for the over the head closure (if doing ear loops you don't need these) 
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Fully lined (Child or Adult)

     Cut your pattern pieces, 2 mirrored of the outer fabric and 2 inner, 

     Cut elastic. For ear loops cut (2) 10" pieces of 1/4" elastic. For over the head cut 1 26" piece of elastic or 1" x 26" piece of cotton lycra.

     With right sides together using 1/4" seam allowance, sew along the the curved side of the mask for each layer separately.

     Trim the outer seam allowance to help the curve lay flat. 

     Flip one layer and line your piece up right sides together. Sew around the entire piece leaving an opening to turn your mask through. Clip your corners. 

      Turn your mask through the hole and push out your corners. Then top stitch all the way around the edges closing your turn hole with the top stitching. 

      Fold your edges in 3/4" towards the inside layer. Sew along the edge to create a tube for the elastic to go through. 

     Thread your elastic through. The following is with the over the head elastic. Loop your elastic through one side, continue over to the other side and loop through the side. Insert your loop/toggle and tie the ends of your elastic.  And you're done!

Pocket Insert Instructions (adult only)

    Cut your fabric, 2 outer mirrored with the outer piece and 2 mirrored with the inside layer piece.

     With right sides together sew along the curved edge for both the outer fabric and inner. If using fabric that will fray, use a zig zag stitch on the raw edges. 

     Trim the seam allowance to help the seam lay flat. 

     With right sides together, line up the center seams of the outer and lining pieces. Sew along the top and bottom of the mask. 

     Turn your mask and top stitch along the top and bottom folding down the extra fabric from the outer layer. 

     Fold the raw edges of your outer layer inward 1/4" then fold over again so that the folded edge is right up the the raw pocket layer BUT NOT COVERING IT. 

     Insert your elastic loops, the following photos are showing the over the ear loops. 

Either tie the elastic ends together or sew them, however you prefer to complete the loop. 

And you're done!!! 

Do not microwave masks. Wash with hot water between uses or press with a hot iron if you are in a hurry.