Rob's New Favourite Mask

 Megan asked me to make her a mask with pleats on the side. I just couldn't get it to look nice, so I just made a dart on each edge. It gives the mask more structure and projection. She said it was too big on her, but Rob tried it and loves it. 

I've included two ways to finish--with an opening for a filter, and without. Now the recommendations are really heading towards 3 layer masks.

Google Drive link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NbLijeWTjUPt9AbILel6RFZO0rIhBEAa/view?usp=sharing

Materials

2 pcs tightly woven cotton, aprox 7.75”x8.5” (19.6cm x 21.6cm)

2 ear pieces, aprox 8” (I used a 3/8” strip cut from a pair of thick skating tights. Cut up t-shirts, cotton-lycra fabric, pre-made ear loops, baby headbands, elastic, all work)

1 pc nose wire, aprox 3.5” (9cm). Many different options available. Look for coated wire. Curl the ends. Or pre-made nose pieces are available

Thread, scissors, sewing machine

Directions:

Mark the centre of the two shorter sides. Mark aprox 2.5” (6.3cm) from top and bottom. Pinch the fabric at those two marks and bring together, letting the excess go to the back. Pin. The fold should match the middle mark. Press. Sew from where the fabric meets (2.5” from top and bottom), towards the middle, aprox 3.25” (8cm). This creates a triangle of fabric on the wrong side. Trim, about ¼” from seam, finish as desired (serge, zig zag, pinking shears). Repeat for other short edge. Repeat for other piece.

Press top edge down ½” on both pieces.

On inner piece, sew a 3 sided rectangle, about 3.5” (9cm), centered; joining the seam allowance to the body. Before sewing the third side, slip in the nose wire, and stitch the 3^rd side (the 4^th is the top fold). I find using a zipper foot helps.

 

If you want the top to have an opening for a disposable filter:

Top stitch the top hems down, close to the fold, being careful around the wire. 

Place inside layer right side up. Place ear pieces on top, aprox ½” in from edges, loops towards the middle, tails sticking out the side. Pin at edge and in the middle to keep it out of the way. Place top layer, right side down over top. Ensure top edge is still folded down, and stitch from top corner, down side, across bottom, and up other side, at ½”. Ensure the tails of the loops are sticking out and you just sew over the piece at the seam. Turn right side out. Sew centre top edges together for about 9cm. This allows an opening to slide a disposable filter or tissue in.

 

If you don’t want a filter pocket:

Place inside layer right side up. Place ear pieces on top, aprox ½” in from edges, loops towards the middle, tails sticking out the side. Pin at edge and in the middle to keep it out of the way. Place top layer, right side down over top. Ensure top edge is still folded down, and stitch from top corner, down side, across bottom, and up other side, at ½”. Ensure the tails of the loops are sticking out and you just sew over the piece at the seam. Turn right side out, and top stitch top edge closed, close to the edge.