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How to Make a Folded Cloth Mask
By Christianne Labelle Step one: Gather your materials
You will need: cotton fabric,
flannel/flannelette for lining (Best option but use what you have), scissors, glue gun and sticks, ruler, needle and thread (any colour), ruler (any type), ribbon/elastic (not pictured), wire (this is “craft wire” from Dollarama. Pipe cleaners work too.)
Step Two: Cutting
Cut one 9.5”x9.5” square out of
each fabric. You should have three squares of the same size.
Step Three: Line them up
Stack your squares like so. Right
sides of your cotton fabric together, with your lining on top. Step Four: Pinning
Draw a line ½” from the top, then
pin all three pieces together across that line like so. Also note the sides of the lining have been trimmed. Trimming will help you later on, I recommend trimming ONLY the lining (fabric on top) ½”
Step Five: Sew
Sew down the marked line. You
don’t need to anchor your stiches. Only sew on the lining, do not sew beyond the edge of the lining (Again, this will make things easier later on.)
Step Six: Press
Press open your seam with a hot
iron. Separate it between your two cotton fabrics. Then, fold the mask so the two right sides are out and press the fold. You should have a nice sharp fold. This will be the top of your mask. Step Seven: Adding the wire
Bend your wire to the right length.
More layers of wire give you a better shape. I bend mine into thirds, about 5”.
Step Eight: Glue in the wire
Only put three small dots – in the
middle and one at each end. This will be enough to hold the wire in place while you stitch it in, but not too much to reduce shaping ability.
Step Nine: Stich in the wire
Thread your needle and stich the
wire in place. You will do this three times - once next to each point of glue. Place the needle under the wire and make sure it comes out only through two layers of fabric (if it goes through all three pieces you will see it on the other side.) You only need three or four passes.
Tip: Snip the hem a little so the
mask doesn’t get bulky with your stitches. Step Ten: Sew the other side
Now its time to sew up the bottom.
Use your hands to flatten the mask, ensuring that each layer is smooth. Then draw a line ½” from the edge, pin and stitch down the line.
Remember: Only stitch over the
lining, do now sew across your cotton fabrics. You’ll see why in the next step!
After you’ve stitched up the
bottom, turn the mask right side out. Align the mask so the wire side is at the top. Press the bottom seam of the mask to get it nice and flat.
Step Eleven: Iron in the sides
Now you’re ready for the sides.
Here you can see me opening the side so you can see the open seam at the bottom. Fold the front fabric inside the mask and press. Repeat on the back side, folding the cotton fabric overtop your lining, so that on each side you will have the right sides folded in together. Iron it nice and flat. See next picture for finished product. Step Eleven Cont’d
This is what the sides of the mask
should look like.
Step Twelve: Fold the mask
This part takes some practice. You
are going to fold it three times.
Orient your mask so the wire in on
the top. Take the top ~2” and fold it down, the fold the very top back up again. See the sequence of three pictures to the left Step Thirteen: Repeat
Holding the first fold in place,
repeat the process a second time, then a third. Step Fourteen: More Pressing
This is how it should look after
folding. Hold the folds in and flip it over to make sure they are straight on the back side too. You may have to unfold it and do the process again if its crooked. When satisfied, press in the folds with a really hot iron. Press the front and back really well. Pin the fold in place, but leave the top fold unpinned
Step Fifteen: Add the ribbon
Cut four strands of ribbon (at least
14” long each). If using elastic, cut two strands 5-7” long. Place the mask under the presser foot, but before you put the foot down, tuck the ribbon/elastic into the mask. Make sure you tuck in far enough for the needle to catch it. Anchor it really well, then sew down over top each of the folds. You may need to push/pull it through.
Stop halfway down and tuck in the
second ribbon (or other side of elastic) into the bottom of the mask, then continue. Anchor well. Tip: Before sewing up the other side, go back to your ironing board and check the alignment of the folds. Sometimes with all the pushing the fold get sewn a little wonky and the mask looks crooked. Reshape the other side so that the mask is straight, press well again, pin, then repeat step fifteen on the second side.
Tip: If you’re giving the mask to
someone else, tug gently on the ribbon to make sure its been anchored well enough inside. Step Sixteen: Finishing
Snip all the threads off, then finish
the ends of the ribbon how you prefer. You can fold it and sew it, use iron-on glue, or burn the ends with a candle (my preferred method.)