How to Sew Soft and Stretchy Face Masks – Easy to Breathe Through – Free Sewing Pattern

Are you still looking for the perfect face mask pattern? This easy sewing pattern for a soft and comfortable face mask might become your favorite! It’s made with 2 layers of stretchy cotton fabric so it won’t slide around on your face and it’s very easy to breathe through.

There are lots of different sewing patterns for face masks available, so if the first one you try doesn’t fit your needs, try another. My Soft and Stretching Face Mask doesn’t have a filter pocket. If you are looking for a face mask with a filter pocket you might try the woven (non-stretchy) Olson Style fabric face mask or my Gaiter Style Face Mask Pattern instead.

This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The blog post below is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The Optimized for Printing PDF download for $2 is totally optional.

This fabric face mask pattern is generously sized to fit small and large faces. You can also enlarge or reduce the pattern template using your printer’s settings to make larger or smaller masks.

As designed, this mask is approximately 9 1/2’’ x 5’’ (not including the elastic). For our family, I varied the fit by cutting longer pieces of elastic for people with bigger heads – that was all the adjustment that was necessary. For small children, you may want to reduce the pattern to 75% or 85%.

Because of the stretchy fabric and elastic, you may find that one size fits everyone in your household.

I’ll share tips for sewing with knit (stretchy) fabric along the way and there are even more in this blog post that I wrote all about stretch fabrics.

For the best breathability, choose a lightweight knit fabric with at least 50% stretch. That means that if you take 5’’ of fabric between your hands, it will stretch to at least 10’’. Soft cotton or bamboo knit fabric would be a great choice.

So let’s get started!

DOWNLOAD THE SOFT AND STRETCHY FACE MASK TEMPLATE

You will need:

• less than 1/4 yard lightweight stretch knit fabric (1/4 yard will make at least 2 masks, 1/2 yard will make at least 5 masks depending on fabric width and cutting waste)

• 20’’ of narrow elastic (I used 1/4’’ elastic – here are some other ideas for face mask elastic and ties)

• matching thread

• a bodkin for inserting the elastic

Fabric tips:

• Before buying, check to see how breathable the fabric is by holding two layers up to your face.

• Always pre-wash knit fabrics before cutting. This will pre-shrink them and get rid of any leftover chemicals from the manufacturing process.

Cutting

1. Using the pattern template, cut 2 pieces on the fold from your lightweight knit fabric.

2. Cut 2 pieces elastic 10’’ long (or as needed).

Sew the Mask

Use a 1/2’’ seam allowance (included in the template).

1. Place the two fabric pieces right sides together and pin all the way around.

2. Start sewing at one of the corners. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and then sew along a long curved edge.

Stop and pivot with the needle down at each corner.

Then continue sewing the second long curved edge.

Stop sewing at this point and backstitch, leaving one short end open.

3. To reduce bulk, trim away the extra fabric at the two corners where you pivoted.

Tip: To help with turning the open edges to the inside, make a clips almost to the stitching 1/2’’ away from the end on either side (top and bottom)

4. Turn the face mask right side out through the opening. Use your fingers or a point turner to turn the points and all the seams out as much as possible.

Fold the raw edges to the inside by 1/2’’.

At the opening, fold the clipped seam allowance in opposite directions so that when you fold the raw edges to the inside by 1/2’’, they lay in opposite direction and the edges are nice and flat.

5. Press the face mask flat, using steam to shrink it back to shape if there is any waviness.

6. Topstitch all the way around the mask 1/8’’ from the edge. This will close the opening at the same time.

Tip: I find it easiest to start and end on one of the long edges.

Make the Elastic Casings and Add Elastic

1. Pick one side of the mask to be the front (the other side will be the back).

Fold the ends over to the back by about 1/2’’. They will fold over naturally just past the seam allowances on the inside.

Pin the casings in place.

2. Sew the casings in place by stitching along the ends right over the previous topstitching. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

3. Secure one end of a piece of elastic to the bodkin.

And push it through one of the casings.

4. Tie the elastic ends together.

If you prefer, you can sew the ends together. I think it’s faster to tie them, and I don’t mind the knot.

Adjust the elastic so that the knot and the ends are inside the casing.

Repeat to make an elastic ear loop on the other side of the mask.

All done!

Here are some additional resources you might find helpful:

• How to make the Olson Style fabric face mask

• Video Tutorial showing a quick method for making the Olson mask pattern.

• How to use a Pipe Cleaner (or other wire) to Make Your Fabric Face Mask Fit Better

• How to make a wash bag for face masks (and more)

• How to make a face mask filter

• More tie options that I have tried, including different kinds of elastics and fabric ties.