Printable 3D Face Mask Patterns (Olson & Pleated) & Sewing Guide PDF

(August 2020 Updated) Face mask has become our new must-have during the times of coronavirus outbreak. Wearing a mask when going public does not only protect you from the invisible virus, but also protect your family, friends and neighbourhood during COVID-19. It might not be easy to find quality medical face mask in drug store or supermarket as demand is high. Also, the CDC is now recommending everyone to wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public. It can help slow the spread of coronavirus. You may consider making you own DIY reusable fabric face mask instead! Here we have compiled a list of printable face masks pattern (3D,Olson,Pleated,Round & Clear Window Styles) and all you need to know to protect yourself.

*Keep in mind that cloth face mask is not as effective as surgical mask. When you go to crowded place and high-risk place (e.g. hospital), it is recommended to wear surgical mask, rather than fabric face mask.*

Why Use Printable Face Mask Pattern?

Printable face mask pattern is useful and important if you decided to make your own fabric face mask. With the pattern, it is time saving that you don’t have to measure the dimension of the mask since it may not an easy job for sewing beginner. You print and cut out the pattern, it will be used as a mask template. You place the template on the fabric and follow it to cut the fabric. Then you use it to sew your face mask.

Types of Face Mask which can be DIY by printable face mask pattern

3D/Olson Face Mask

3D/Olson face mask is an easy diy project for sewing beginner as the pattern is simple and it is easy to understand how to make it. This design is naturally cover your face from nose to chin, and you don’t need insert nose wire inside the mask (it’s depends, you can add it to personalize the fit of the face mask, and it can help to avoid glass fog).

Pleated (surgical style) Face Mask

Pleated style face mask is just like disposable surgical mask. This project is a bit complicated comparing with olson style because it involves more steps and skills and more tools and materials are required, e.g. iron and nose wire. But It is good for someone who want this as a cover/case to extend the time of use to their surgical mask since some people will insert their surgical mask inside the fabric mask.

When you searched for DIY mask, you may find that there is so many versions of each types face mask and different sewing methods. Some are 2-layer or 3-layer, some are with pocket, some are with tie. What are the difference?

How many layer of mask is good? 2 layers or 3 layers?

Above face mask styles can be made with double layers and triple layers. Normal surgical masks are designed with 3-layers. Do I need to sew 3-layer fabric to make a mask? Umm, to fight the virus during the COVID-19, more layers seems more protective. However, more layers of fabrics will let you harder to breathe and the mask will be heavier, you may feel uncomfortable, especially during summer. Also, Air drying time of mask will be considered. More layers of fabric need more time to air dry, you may need make more face masks for spare. Therefore,  2-layer fabric with filler pocket may be a good choice because the mask is lighter and you can add extra filter inside the mask for better protection.

Pocket vs without pocket?

As mentioned, you can insert extra filter for better protection if face mask have pocket. Insert a filter to the fabric face mask, then dispose the filter and wash the face mask after each use. (How to choose protective filter to your mask? read more)

Find face mask filter on Amazon

Ear loop or tie?

For comparison, face mask with elastic band is easier to wear while face mask with tie provides better coverage. Some people wearing face mask with ear loop feel uncomfortable and get hurt of ear. If you are one of them, you can choose tie style. For tie style, you can make yourself or find bias tape on Amazon.

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Before starting the sewing project, you have to prepare some materials and tools as followings:

Tools for making face mask

1. Sewing machine – for sewing the fabric

Find sewing machine on Amazon

2. Sewing thread and needles – In case you don’t have sewing machine

Find sewing thread and needles on Amazon

3. Sewing pins – for pinning fabrics

Find sewing pins on Amazon

4. Scissor – to cut out fabrics

5. Rotary cutter – convenient tool to cut fabrics based on pattern

Find rotary cutter on Amazon

6. Pen – to trace the pattern

Materials for making face mask

1. Main fabric – front of mask

2. Lining fabric – back of mask, better choose fabrics that comfort to breathe and for skin, such as cotton fabric

Find cotton fabric on Amazon

3. Elastic / bias tape / Hair tie – to wear the mask

Find elastic on Amazon

Find bias tape on Amazon

4. Wire for face mask – to adjust the fit of your mask

Find Wire for face mask on Amazon

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Printable Face Mask Pattern

Our Free Printable Face Mask Patterns are available now! Mask patterns for men, women, teens, child and small child are provided.

If you decided to use our mask pattern, please follow the printing instructions as below:

For printing out the paper pattern preciously, please press Ctrl+P, select custom scale at 100% and choose paper source by pdf page size, then print it out.

3D/Olson Face Mask Pattern

For men

Free printable pattern:

Olson face mask pattern (for men)

For Teens & Woman

Free printable pattern:

Olson face mask pattern (for teens & women)

For Child ( 7-12 years old)

Free printable pattern:

Olson face mask pattern (for child)

For Small Child (3-6 years old)

Free printable pattern:

Olson face mask pattern (for small child)

 

Skip to olson face mask with filter pocket tutorial

For better protection, you can insert face mask filters into the fabric face mask.

Pleated Surgical Style Face Mask Pattern

For teens & adult

Free printable pattern:

Pleated face mask pattern (for teens & adult)

For Child

Free printable pattern:

Pleated face mask pattern (for child)

For Small Child

Free printable pattern:

Pleated face mask pattern (for small child)

 

Skip to pleated face mask with filter pocket tutorial

Round Face Mask Pattern

Free printable pattern :

Round face Mask pattern

 

Skip to round face mask tutorial

More Printable Face Mask Pattern – Other Common Types

We also rounded up other common types of fabric face mask from other DIY makers.

3D Face Mask Pattern

This pattern can be used to make a no-gap contoured face mask. Also, it is option to add nose wire as the pattern is special designed to fit the nose shape.

Free Printable Face Mask Pattern:

They provide different sizes of mask pattern, from XS to XXL.

3D Face Mask Pattern (All Sizes)

DIY tutorial:

This 3D type of face mask is a bit complicated to make that requires more steps comparing with other face masks. Find their DIY tutorial, which is easier to understand how to make the 3D face mask.

3D face Mask tutorial – Youtube

Clear Window Face Mask Pattern for Deaf People

This type of face mask is made with see through design, mainly for deaf and hard for hearing people.

They provide different sizes of mask pattern, from adult to youth.

Clear Window Face Mask Pattern

DIY tutorial:

This see through face mask is based on olson-typed face mask and add plastic sheet in the middle of the mask. Find their DIY tutorial, which is easier to understand how to make clear face mask with tie for deaf people.

Clear face mask with window tutorial – Youtube

Please feel free to share or reproduce the printable pattern for your friends and families who is in need of a protective face mask. Let’s help others who is in need during this unforeseeable downside and ease everyone else’s lockdown period. Stay safe and healthy!

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DIY Guide with Steps for Fabric Face Mask

How to Make 3D/Olson Face Mask with Filter Pocket?

Video Tutorial

DIY Tutorial

Go to olson face mask tutorial

Download DIY Guide (PDF file):

Olson face Mask with filter pocket instructions

Materials and tools requires:

1. Main fabric (front of mask) x2
2. Lining fabric (back of mask) x2
3. Elastic band for ear loop x2 (Approximate length – adult, teens & women: 165mm / child: 115mm / small child: 100mm)
4. Sewing machine (if you don’t have this, just prepare sewing thread and needles)
5. Few sewing pins
6. Scissor / rotary cutter
7. Pen

How to Make Pleated Face Mask with Filter Pocket?

DIY Tutorial

Go to pleated face mask with filter pocket tutorial

Download DIY Guide (PDF file):

Pleated face mask with filter pocket instructions

Materials and tools requires:

1. Cotton fabric
2. Elastic band for ear loop x2 (Approximate length – Teens & adult: 165mm / child: 115mm / small child: 100mm)
3. Sewing machine (if you don’t have this, just prepare sewing thread and needles)
4. Few sewing pins
5. Scissor / rotary cutter
6. Nose wire for face mask (Length: 10mm)
7. Ruler
8. Pen

How to Make Round Face Mask?

DIY Tutorial

DIY Guide with Steps- Round face mask

Download DIY Guide (PDF file):

Round face mask instructions

Materials and tools requires:

1. 1. Main fabric (front of mask)
   2. Lining fabric (back of mask)
   3. Elastic band x 2 (Approximate length – 230mm, recommend measuring the size by yourself as face size are different for everyone)
   4. Sewing machine (if you don’t have this, just prepare sewing thread and needles)
   5. Few sewing pins
   6. Scissor
   7. Pen

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How to choose materials to DIY face mask?

How to choose fabric?

Knowing a cloth face mask does offer a bit of protection to the wearer, but DIY masks’ effectiveness varied widely.

Generally a denser weave of thicker material that light doesn’t pass through should be a good material to use for your diy mask. Be aware to keep a balance between breathability and filtration.

Found out two better material options

How to choose cord?

For ear loop

If you choose elastic for ear loop, you can select  1/4″ or 3/8 ” wide flat elastic, which is more comfortable than round elastic.

Length of elastic (adjust yourself for better fit):

Adult and teens – approximate 8 inches

Child – approximate 7 inches

Small child – approximate 6 inches

Find elastic on Amazon

For tie

You can buy bias tape or make it yourself for tie.

Approximate length of tie (adjust yourself for better fit):

Adult – approximate 13 inches x 4

Teens – approximate 11 inches x 4

Child – approximate 10 inches x 4

Small child – approximate 10 inches x 4

Find bias tape on Amazon

How to choose face mask filter?

There are many types of face mask filters in the market for people, who want extra protection for fabric face mask. It can increase filter efficiency, better than only wearing a fabric face mask.

Find face mask filters on Amazon

When you search for face mask filters,  there are a lots of filter materials recommended on the internet, for example, coffee filter, paper towel and vacuum bag.

However, which one is good for face mask filter? Is it really effective?

We found a nice sharing from Jennifermaker that may answer your unknown if you would like to diy mask filter. She found some published scientific researches for different filter materials to find out its filter effectiveness. Also, she tested the breathability of materials as it is really important factors to choose for filter.

Know more materials for DIY face mask filter from Jennifermaker

How to choose wire for nose bar?

You can buy nose bridge strips for your face mask. Or you can choose 16g wire if you have.

Find wire for face mask on Amazon

 

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How to put on and remove the mask properly?

Properly putting on and taking off the face mask properly is also important. Find following steps and professional’s demonstration.

1. 1. 1. Wash you hands* before putting on mask.
      2. Before taking off the mask, wash/sanitise your hands
      3. Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loop to take off your mask (carefully not to touch your eyes, nose, mouth and surface of your mask)
      4. Place your mask in washing machine, or place it in face mask keeper or clean tissue for temporary storage
      5. Wash/sanitise your hands again after removing the mask
      6. Remember to wash the mask after each use.

* For washing hands, it is recommended washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. If soap and water is not available, you can use hand sanitiser instead.

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How to Clean Fabric Face Mask?

People use face masks or face covers like scarves and bandannas in some instances. Motorcycle masks and reusable cloth masks are also popular. These are the types of masks that can be washed and reused safely. For the most part, you can wash these reusable masks in your regular wash cycle with hot water and regular laundry detergent.

Know more on washing tips for reusable face mask

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Mask Accessories for More Comfortable to Wear DIY Face Mask

Actually, it is unavoidable to feel discomfort to wear a surgical mask or cloth face mask for long period, e.g. ears are hurt, hard to breathe. Also, another situation is that how to keep the face mask for temporarily storage for lunch and dinner. There are many accessories designed for face mask to let you wear the mask more comfortable in the market, e.g. ear saver/ extender, 3D mask bracket, face mask keeper.

Ear saver/ear extender/mask strap holder – to avoid getting painful to ear

If you feel painful when you wear a surgical mask / fabric face mask, ear saver/ extender may help.

There are so many diy ear saver/ extender tutorials from DIY lovers. It can also be a part of your hair accessory.

Sewing tutorial

Crochet tutorial

Be creative! Make it funny to you ear saver!

3D Mask Bracket – help for breathing

If you feel poor breathing when you wear a face mask, this 3D mask bracket may help. It can provide more inner space of the mask. It is also good to wear for sport activities, e.g. running and hiking.

Find 3D mask bracket on Amazon

Face Mask Keeper –  to store used surgical mask temporarily

Face mask keeper is a portable case which stores your mark in a short time when sometime you need to remove your mask for a short while, e.g. while you’re dining.  It is light-weighted and foldable into a small size so you can store your disposable face mask in the keeper to your pocket.

You can do it yourself!

Free printable pattern and folding template:

Mask keeper template

DIY tutorial ( Including many design ideas)

How to make the mask keeper

How to use the mask keeper

Face Mask Lanyard Holder – to keep the mask from getting lost

DIY tutorial ( Including many design ideas)

How to make the mask lanyard holder

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3 Best Medical Masks Brands from Japan

Buy and choose quality medical face mask on Amazon!

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More Ideas of DIY No-sew Face Masks

No-sew Face Mask Idea 1

As long as you have a cotton t-shirt and a pair of hair tie, you can make a face mask by few steps!

No-sew Face Mask Idea 2

This video also demonstrates how to add coffee filter and nose wire according to previous no-sew face mask.

No-sew Face Mask Idea 3

5 minutes do your mask by up-cycled t-shirt ! Just prepare a t-shirt, scissor and rule to make it! No sewing tools is required.

No-sew Face Mask Idea 4

If you don’t have hair ties to make face mask or you are not prefer tie style , this video may help. It will teach you to make a no-sew face mask with ear loop.

No-sew Face Mask Idea 5

This is a bandana style no-sew face mask tutorial.  You can make it with a scarf and a pair of hair ties.