You might be feeling intimidated having to balance the COVID safety and your comfort in 90 degree weather. Therefore this week, we are sharing a mask tutorial to help your face mask experience as bearable as possible.

100% cotton
Many recent reports show tightly woven 100% cotton fabric is the coolest on the face and effective to prevent spreading the virus.

Weight is important
A lightweight mask not only stays fit to your face but is gentle on your ears as well. It also decreases the impulse to touch the face to adjust the mask — which is a big no.

How many layers?
The CDC recommends a cloth face mask have at least 2 layers of tightly woven fabric.

Choose color wisely
Darker the color of your mask, the more heat it grabs from the sun. Go for lighter colors!

How to Make Lightweight Two-layered Face Mask Perfect for Summer

The mask has a 3D shape to make breathing easy.

The mask has two layers of fabric which is cool and still effective. You will cut excess fabric and unnecessary seam allowance so that it will be lightweight. I have worn this mask for three hours in the Mid Atlantic hot and humid weather and was still quite comfortable!

You can insert a nose wire and filter.

💡 Because you will trim the sewn seam, a sewing machine is recommended to make the mask.

Material
- 2 pieces of 10" x 7" ( 25cm x 19cm), tightly woven lightweight, light colored cotton fabric, one piece for inside and one piece for outside. You can easily find it in shirts and bandanas.
- Elastic string: about 25" (60cm)

I upcycled my husband’s dress shirt for the inside fabric.

Instructions

STEP 1

Click to open and download the PDF pattern. Print out the pattern in Full Scale. There is a 2 inch and 5 cm scale-marking to check if you are printing it in the right size.

STEP 2

Using Pattern 1, trace and cut out two fabric pieces of 10" x 7" ( 25cm x 19cm). 

If your fabric has a selvage, cut the fabric so that the selvage will be one of the longer edges.

STEP 3

Place the inside fabric right side down. Fold 1/2” (1cm) along a long end. Sew.

Repeat the process for the outside fabric, leaving 1” (2cm) unsewn. This will be the opening to insert and remove the nose wire.

STEP 4

Put together the two pieces right sides facing each other.

Sew the unsewn longer edges together with ½” (1cm) seam allowance.

STEP 5

Open the piece and press.

Place the piece right side up. Fold each edge to the center. 

Press well.

STEP 6

Using the printed Pattern 2, trace the lines on the piece.

Sew on the traced lines.

STEP 7

Cut around the sewn lines leaving 1/8” (3mm) sewing allowance.

STEP 8

Turn the piece right side out as in the photo. Press well.

Pin the top sides together.

Measure 1-1/2“ (3cm) from the side and draw a line on each side.  

Sew the bold lines in the photo above. 

STEP 9

To make the mask lighter, trim the excess part from the inside fabric as shown in the photo.

Trim the edge so that the edge will be straight.

Repeat on the other side.

STEP 10

Fold ½” (1cm) from the edge. Press.

Fold again ½” (1cm). Press. Repeat on the other side.

Stitch down close to inside edge. You're almost there! 

STEP 11

Insert elastic string and tie a knot after adjusting the length on your face. You can make stretchy, amazingly comfortable elastic strings from an old T-shirt!

Completed! Feel the lightness and comfort.

You can insert a nose wire into the casing. Learn how to make a nose wire from aluminum foil. 

Insert filter from the wide opening on the top. 

Wash the mask after each use.