Patterns

How to Make a Kids Face Mask with a Filter Pocket and Nose Piece

After getting lots of requests on my first mask tutorial for kids sizes I decided to do an updated tutorial with a bunch of different sizes including kids. I love knowing that I can do something, even if it’s small to contribute to what is going on right now.
Here is a range of size options for a face mask with a filter pocket, nose piece, and bias tape.

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Sizes:

Small Kids (ages 3-5 years old): Main Fabric = 7”x 4” Lining Fabric = 6” x 3.5” Bias Binding = 25” long Pipe Cleaner = 2” long

Big Kids (Ages 6-10 years old) Main Fabric = 9”x 5” Lining Fabric = 8” x 4” Bias Binding = 30” long Pipe Cleaner = 2” long

Small (teenagers & women) Main Fabric = 10.5” x 8.5” Lining Fabric = 9”x 7” Bias Binding = 35” long Pipe Cleaner = 3” long

Medium: Main Fabric = 12” x 10” Lining Fabric = 11”x 8” Bias Binding = 40” long Pipe Cleaner = 3” long

Large: Main Fabric = 14” x 12” Lining Fabric = 13” x 10” Bias Binding = 45” Long Pipe Cleaner = 4” long

Step 1: Cut out one piece of main fabric, two pieces of lining fabric, two pieces of bias binding, and one bendable metal piece (I used a pipe cleaner but if these are being washed a lot that has the potential to rust so I recommend using floral wire if washing and wearing frequently)

Step 2: Fold one long edge of the lining fabric over by 1/4” and iron in place, fold over once again 1/4” and pin in place. Top stitch the fold in place and repeat with other lining piece.

Step 3: Place the non sewn side of one lining piece right sides together with the main fabric along one of the longer edges. In the center of the fabric, 1/4” from the edge, place a 2” piece of pipe cleaner or other bendable metal piece. Pin and sew using a zigzag stitch 1/4” from the edge, going over the top of the metal piece.

Step 4: Place the non sewn side of the other lining piece right sides together with the main fabric along the remaining long edge. Pin in place and sew at 1/4” using a straight stitch.

Step 5: Iron lining pieces open. Then iron so the wrong sides are together and the sewn edges of the lining pieces are overlapping.

Step 6: With the main fabric facing up, we will now be creating the pleats in the mask. Grabbing the top of the mask fold it down about 1/4”-1/2” and then fold it back up leaving a small 1/4”- 1/2” pleat in the fabric. Pin in place. Repeat up to three times. (If three pleats is too tricky or the mask is too small for three, you can do two pleats) Press the pleats.

Step 7: Flip the mask over to the lining side. Sew the pleats in place along both short edges of the mask right along the edge of the lining. Trim the excess main fabric on the edges down to 1/4”.

Step 8: Take an open piece of bias tape, find the middle of one piece and slide the shorter edge of the mask into the middle of the open bias tape encasing the raw edge. Pin in place. Sew along the length of the bias tape, finishing it off. Repeat on the opposite side of the mask with second piece of bias tape.

Congratulations you are all finished with your face mask with a filter pocket and a bendable nose piece! The lining pieces are now a little pocket for you to place a filter of your choosing in and can easily be replaced. Thank you so much for watching my video and reading this tutorial.

Stay Healthy Friends!
Happy Sewing!

23 Comments

  • Yash

    Thank you for supplying the different size patterns from kids to adults as well for your easy instructions and informative tutorial

  • Norma

    Thank you for your video and measurements. I am a beginner and a visual person. Your videos was easier then all the ones out there since I did not have elastic around the house. No bias tape either. So I use ribbons I had and fold them in and sowed it up.
    Got a sewing machine for Christmas. Got to learn how to use my machine as well! Will order bias tape. Easier to get! lol
    Thanks again.

  • Donna Barber

    I got lost in the measurements, I think I know I just want to be sure. When doing the lining it says, 8”x 4” and doesn’t say cut two that size. In all the tutorials it seems the lining is two pieces, so my question is, do I cut each piece 8×4? Thank you for your tutorials on this mask, they are great!

    • Alex

      I have heard many people say HEPA filters, cutting up air filters from your home, vacuum filters and more! There are lots of great options.

    • Alex

      I didn’t make a pattern download for this but instead I have given the dimensions for you to cut out. 💛

  • Constance Curtin

    Hi thank you for publishing the tutorial video. I have a couple of questions I hope you will answer. What size seam allowance is best to use when sewing the liners to main fabric? Is it 5/8”, 1/2” or what? I have watched the video a couple of times but didn’t pick up on that detail.

  • Jenny

    Thank you for this pattern. I just wanted to leave a note that the small child mask finished too small (nose-to-chin) for my just-turned-4 year old. I lost about a half inch due to my inept zigzag stitching, but when I make it again I think I’m going to go with at least 4.5″ for the main fabric to gain the inch I think it needs. Alternately, I feel like the women’s mask is close to 2″ too long.
    The widths are great on the three I made: small child, large child, woman’s.
    I am making more, so next time I will measure our faces like you suggested!

  • My2lovies

    Thank you for your great face mask tutorials. I’d love to know what the height (top to bottom) of each size is after pleating is done (before spreading out).

    Thank you!

  • Sayamenuki

    thanks so much. I have been looking for instructions for children’s sizes. you’re amazing and generous. thanks again.