My daughters and I have been making face masks for local healthcare workers. They are in desperate need. I’m sure our area is not the only one that needs more masks. This is a time where we can use our skills and resources to help our community. Also, our local grocery stores are requiring everyone that comes inside to wear a face mask. These help you keep your own germs to yourself as well as keep unwanted germs away from your nose & mouth. If you are touching things in a store, do not adjust and touch your mask until you have washed your hands.

Yes, these face masks are effective. They have four layers of protection as well as a filter pocket for additional layers. This specific pattern is the most requested in our area because of the design. They do need to be washed after every use. You need to wash your hands after removing it for the day. If you are making these to donate, do not try them on before donating. Always include a note reminding the recipient to wash before use. Our country has a shortage of medical face masks! These help extend the life of medical masks by wearing them over. We have been told that some nurses and hospital staff are only given one mask per week to re-use! Please help if you can!

Below are the steps and pictures for this pattern. I really did spread out the steps and tried to be really detailed. Even though there are 10 steps listed, it’s not that hard of a project. I just wanted to show every little thing I did while making this mask!

Materials Needed:

  • 3 cuts of cotton fabric 9″ by 8″
  • 1 cut of flannel fabric 9″ by 8″
  • 2 cuts of elastic 7″
  • 1 pipe cleaner 6″

Tools I Used

Step 1: Cut fabric 9″ by 8″

Step 2: Layer two pieces of fabric wrongs sides together. Fold the top down about 1/4″ and press.

Step 3: Insert pipe cleaner under fold of front mask fabric. This will be the set with one cotton cut and one flannel cut. Pin & hem the top of both sets.

Step 4: Clip elastic at corners on the right side of the front of the mask.

Step 5: Place second set over first making sure right sides are facing each other.

Step 6: Pin around sides. Make sure to place a pin in each corner of elastic so you can remove the clips. At the top I place only two pins and use them as a guide. Do not sew in-between these pins. It is the filter pocket opening. DO backstitch over each pin to secure the opening.

Step 7: Once you have sewn around the edges, turn right side out and press.

Step 8: About an inch from the top pinch the fabric with your fingers and fold down. Press & clip.

Step 9: Repeat the pinch & press two or three times. Pin the inside of the pleats and remove the clips.

Step 10: Sew along the sides making sure to backstitch at the start and finish.

Remove the pins and your mask is complete!

DIY Face Mask with Filter Pocket was last modified: April 16th, 2020 by Rudy

9 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

    1. Vivi
      May 9, 2020 at 11:41 am –

      Great idea! Just wondering if you need a sewing machine to make it? Thanks

    1. Vera Danita Campbell
      May 4, 2020 at 8:55 pm –

      I made the 4ply but I also saw a 3 py. Is that still available.

    1. PurpleDancer4
      April 21, 2020 at 6:59 pm –

      This is such a great craft for healthcare workers that are helping stop the spread of Coronavirus and helping patients that have it! I think that you are so talented and creative! Thank you so much for inspiring me to craft! I have made many of your DIYS and plan to make more! Me and my sister enjoy playing with the crafts and creating them. Every day I am checking on your website to see if there is a new craft. Can’t wait until more are out! Do you think you could make Advil and other medicine like that? Thank you so much! Keep crafting!!

    1. Dawn Grout
      April 17, 2020 at 7:26 am –

      Is the 8” side the top or the 9” side?

        • Rudy
          April 17, 2020 at 7:41 am –

          9″ is the top. 9″ goes across the face.

    1. Janet
      April 16, 2020 at 8:30 pm –

      Fantastic, informative instructions!! Thank you so much for doing this video and written pattern. I see those sweet, smiling faces of your American Girls (and boy!) helpers. Do you have dimensions for their smaller angel faces? Thanks!!

    1. Theawesomecrafter
      April 16, 2020 at 4:00 pm –

      And I love your awesomely purple hair!

    1. Theawesomecrafter
      April 16, 2020 at 11:52 am –

      Rudy, you are just so awesome, and what your are doing is amazing! That is so noble of you to dedicate your time to making masks for people who need them!

    1. Kat
      April 16, 2020 at 10:04 am –

      Great!!!Perfect!!