Since the global spread of the coronavirus earlier this year, we prototyped over twenty face mask designs from Japan, making modifications in size while making them easy-to-make, comfort, durable, and stylish. Among them, we have introduced several DIY face masks of different styles.

And now, there is a new one to have on our radar: Samurai Mask, the name of which came from its unique knot tied in an adjustable loop knot.


We are excited to share with you this new design this week! The mask has long ties that can go around your ears with adjustable knots or be looped behind your head. You can make the mask colorful and pretty or keep it sleek and simple depending on the fabric you pick.

Because elastic ties are not used in this design, your mask would be as good as new to fit comfortably and snugly on your face even after many washes. (We all know that it is always the elastic part that deforms first.)

How To Make Samurai Mask

Material:
Fabric: 12" x 10" tightly woven cotton
Bias tape – 1/2 inch double folded – 2 x 36″ long (or make your own bias tape, here is how)
Nose wire (optional)

SAMURAI MASK FREE PDF PATTERN 

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

2.  Place the two fabric pieces face-to-face. Sew the short sides with 1/2" seam allowance.

3. Clip curve along with the seam allowance. Be careful not to clip on the stitches.

4. Turn inside out. Align the stitched lines. 

5. Find the center of the bias tape and position it at the center of the mask. Open the bias tape so that the wrong side is facing up. Align the raw edge of the bias tape with the raw edges of the mask. Pin in place. 

6. Sew the bias tape along the crease closest to the raw edge.

7. Wrap the bias tape up and over the raw edge of the mask. Don’t pull too hard on the tape as you fold, as this will cause the tape to pucker once stitched. Sew along the entire length of the bias tape as closely as possible to the folded edge. Repeat the process on the opposite side.

💡 At the ends of the bias tape, open the ends of the tape and fold them backwards and sew to create a clean finish.

8.  Topstitch the short sides close to the edges. 

Completed!

How To Tie An Adjustable Knot

1 Take one of the ties attached to the bottom side of the mask and make a loop. Insert the end of the tie into the loop to make a knot.

10 Put the end of the tie attached to the upper side of the mask through the knot that you have made.

11 Pull the two ends of the bottom tie away from each other so that the knot is tight. The tie attached to the upper side should be able to move freely when pulled.

12 Repeat it to the other side.

13 Wear the mask and adjust the length of the ties.

💡OPTIONAL: To create the nose wire casing, leave a 2 inch (5cm) opening in step 7.

How To Make Bias Tape

You can buy bias tape, but if you want something other than the standard colors, you can easily make it. I have rolls in my stash because I enjoy using it so much!

1. Prepare fabric about 18" x 18" (45cm x 45cm). Cut strips along the 45-degree bias 2 inch (5cm) wide. 

2. Take two strips that have ends pointing in the same direction. Put the right sides together and sew like this to make it a long strip.

3. Press the bias strips in half to form a crease. Then open up the bias and press the edges in to meet in the middle crease.

You now have bias tape!

Did you like our tutorial? If you have a comment or suggestion to share, we look forward to hearing from you! Reach out by emailing contactus@japanesecreations.com