by Leonidas Agnes
It's like the phoenix rising...except instead of a bird arising from the ashes, it's a face mask arising from our knit denim scraps that were once part of full garments...and you need to put a little work into making it happen.
Let's get into it!
What You'll Need:
- Our pre-cut knit denim scraps
- Face mask pattern (download here)
- Cord (or material of your choice) for the ear straps
- Needle and thread/yarn or sewing machine and sewing thread
Step 1: Pin the Pattern To the Fabric
Cut out two face mask pieces. Make sure at least one of the fabrics is relatively thin, so you can maximize comfort and breathability when wearing the mask.
Step 2: Cut the Fabric Around the Pattern
You should now have two matching face mask pieces.
Step 3: Sew Everything Together
First, fold one of the face mask pieces in half. Make sure the side of the fabric you want visible at completion is facing inward. (The pieces will be turned inside out after they're sewn.)
Sew the slits (the yellow lines above) together while the face mask piece is folded in half.
Once you finish sewing the slits on both face mask pieces, each piece should have three seams as seen in the picture above. Place the two pieces on top of each other and pin them together. Make sure the side you want facing outward at completion are facing each other in this step. (To reiterate, the face mask will be turned inside out once you finish sewing the pieces together.) Sew along the top and bottom sides of the face mask only. The left and right sides should be left open in this step.
Once you've sewn the top and bottom of the face mask, it should look like the two photos above on each side.
Step 4: Turn it Inside Out
Open one of the un-sewn sides of the face mask (the right or the left side). Push the fabric through the opening so you turn the face mask inside out leaving the raw seams in the inside of the face mask.
Once the face mask is turned inside out, it should look relatively neat and clean like the picture above.
Step 5: Sew On The Ear Straps
Cut 2 ear straps (about 6 inches each...perhaps less if you're using a stretchy material for the ear straps instead of our denim chord). Sew both ends of each strap into the sides of the face mask. Then sew the sides shut, so all sides of the face mask are 100% sewn together. *Pro tip: when sewing the sides of the face mask together, make sure to fold in some of the fabric on both pieces, so you don't have raw edge fabric exposed. It looks cleaner and more intentional when you add this final touch.
Voila! Your final mask should look like the picture above. *Pro tip: A nice finishing detail to do at the end is to embroider some basic running stitches around the perimeter of the mask. This helps flatten the seams, so the mask sits nicely against your face. It also makes the mask look cute!
Stay safe...and fashionable! Please contact us if you need help with the instructions. Please also share pictures of your creations!