Pleated Mask Making Tutorial

Edited to add a link to this video on making bias tape without a tool.  If you want to make ties for your masks from the same or contrasting fabric, you can use this same method.  This will speed things up immensely and eliminate the burned fingers from trying to fold and press your strips of fabric into ties.

Now... onto the rest of the mask making instructions!

I know there are a lot of patterns and instructions out there for making pleated masks.  I have viewed a few but, as is my nature, I have a tendency to learn as I go.  So I took the basic idea and over time tweaked it to this super fast process.  If you can do it as a mini-production line, it will go even faster! That is, group your work so that you are completing only one or two steps at a time. When I sew the top and bottom seam for example, I don't even cut the thread but leave a few stitches and then bring in the next one.  When I'm all done sewing, I just clip the threads that are attaching them together.

I have made these using elastic (but I can't get any right now!), bias tape, and even made my own woven fabric ties.    This is a lot faster and allows for some stretch in the ties.  These can be tied around the head or each side can be tied together to make loops for over the ears.  With the softness of the knit, they are very comfortable!

Always use two different colors or prints of cotton or poly/cotton woven non-stretch material.  This allows the user to know which side they put toward their face.

For each mask, you will need:
Thread
Two 9" x 9" squares of fabric
2 each of 1" x 32" strips of jersey knit (for ties)


1. Cut two squares approximately 9" x 9" (a little less is okay too).  Place right sides together.

2. Stitch at the top and bottom.  Turn right side out and press.

3. Fold the square into thirds from top to bottom and press.

  

4.  Unfold and it will look like this:

5.  Next pinch the fold nearest the bottom.  The picture only shows one hand but use two hands, one at the left and one at the right.  Pinch and pull down slightly to make a pleat.  Move up to the next fold and repeat.  And repeat with the top fold.  

 

6.  Press really well!


7.  Stitch along the pleats to hold them in place.

8.  Find the center of your tie and place it on the edge of the fabric.  Stitch.  Fold it over the edge and stitch again.  (This step is for any kind of ties, whether the jersey knit or the fabric ties... here is a link to that video for fabric ties again!)

Finished!!