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How to Make a No-Sew Face Mask

Easy Sew Face Mask (& Optional Matching Dress)
Overdyed Floral Halter Dress DIY Refashion

As I’m sure you probably know, the CDC is now requesting that we wear cloth face coverings when we have to go out in public.

Some of you know how to sew and have undoubtedly already made face masks for yourselves, your family, and organizations that have expressed a need for them.

But for those of you who don’t sew, there’s another option. And the best thing about this no-sew face mask is that it uses items you probably already have laying around your home (no need to make an extra trip when we should all be staying home)!

Here’s how to make an easy DIY cloth face mask in less than 5 minutes (No sewing required).

Step 1: Gather your materials.

You’ll need a piece of square fabric and two hair ties or rubber bands.

I used a vintage cloth napkin, but you could also use a handkerchief or any other similarly-sized square of (preferably cotton) fabric.

If you don’t have any hair ties or elastic, just cut some of the elastic from the top of an old sock!

cloth napkin and two hair ties for diy face mask
I’m out of fun captions today, folks. :/

Step 2: Fold the top and bottom of your fabric square to the center.

step 2 folding diy fabric face mask
Keep the patterned exterior face down like you see here as that’ll be the outside of your mask.

Step 3: Flip it over.

step 3 flip over folded fabric for diy face mask
This will end up being the front of your mask.

Step 4: Fold the top and bottom towards the center (much like Step 2!)

step 4 folding diy face mask
See?

Step 5: Flip it over again!

step 5 flip it over diy face mask
Almost done, folks!

Step 6: Thread the ends of your fabric square through the hair ties/elastic

threading hair ties through cloth napkin for diy face mask
Just like this.

Step 7: Fold the sides inward, and tuck them into each other.

This would also be when you’d add a filter if you have one.

step 7 folding diy face mask
That’s the final step!

And that’s it! When you flip it over, you’ll see you have your very own pleated face mask!

completed No-Sew Face Mask
Hopefully in a cheery pattern for these dark times.

You can see how the pleating allows it to fit snugly across your face.

DIY No-Sew Pleated Face Mask
From the front!
DIY No-Sew Pleated Face Mask side view
From the side!

PLEASE keep in mind that none of these fabric masks are medical grade and please don’t think you’re safe because you’re wearing one. Everything I’ve read or heard in the news says these are “better than nothing” to hopefully keep our own particles from spreading somewhat.

This was a really hard post for me to write. I never thought I’d be sharing a tutorial like this and it feels surreal as I’m writing it. Please share this tutorial with anyone you think might find it useful.

I hope you’re all staying safe at home as much as possible, and that you’re keeping busy with creative projects and refashions you’ll get to enjoy when this is all over.

Much love to you, friends.

Yield: 1 Face Mask

How to Make a No-Sew Face Mask

DIY No-Sew Pleated Face Mask side view

Make a no-sew face mask using items you probably already have laying around your home (no need to make an extra trip when we should all be staying home)!

Prep Time 2 minutes
Active Time 2 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • 1 Cloth Napkin, Bandana, or Similarly-Sized Fabric Square
  • 2 Hair Ties (Stretched-out ones will be more comfortable)

Instructions

  1. Gather your Materials.cloth napkin and two hair ties for diy face mask
  2. Fold the top and bottom of your fabric square to the center.step 2 folding diy fabric face mask
  3. Flip it over.step 3 flip over folded fabric for diy face mask
  4. Fold the top and bottom towards the center (much like Step 2!).step 4 folding diy face mask
  5. Flip it over again!step 6 flip it over diy face mask
  6. Thread the ends of your fabric square through the hair ties/elastic.threading hair ties through cloth napkin for diy face mask
  7. Fold the sides inward, and tuck them into each other.completed No-Sew Face Mask
Easy DIY No Sew Face Mask
Easy Sew Face Mask (& Optional Matching Dress)
Overdyed Floral Halter Dress DIY Refashion
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