Free Pattern: How to Sew Non-Medical Masks

Published on: April 14, 2020

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In the past few days, many of you have asked us about making non-medical masks.

As the Public Health Agency of Canada is now recommending the wearing of a non-medical mask as a protective measure in addition to other Covid-19 safety practices, we have reviewed various sources on this subject to offer you two free patterns of non-medical masks.

In the absence of official Canadian standards for handmade cloth masks, we would like to remind you that this article represents the compilation of data we currently have on the subject and not scientific data.

Club Tissus masks

We have chosen to develop two different patterns because we believe that a good fit is the key to offering you maximum protection. We all have different shaped faces so having two patterns options to try will give you an even better chance of finding a mask that is perfectly suited to your face. The goal is to have a mask that fits well enough on your face (nose, cheeks and chin) without being uncomfortable. By wearing an uncomfortable and ill-fitting mask, you could touch your face more frequently and increase the risk of contamination.

Masks Styles

Modèle A

Pleated mask with ribbon

Modèle B

Molded mask with elastic and ribbon

Molded mask with elastic

Both patterns include an optional pocket to put a washable or disposable filter inside. We also included an option to insert a metal wire that you can bend around your nose for a better fit. The mask can be attached in different ways, depending on your preference: with elastic behind the head, elastic behind the ears or ribbon.

Tips and tricks video

Discover our best tips and tricks make your non-medical masks easily. (Note that this video is available in French only)

Step-by-step video for pleated mask here.

Step-by-step video for molded mask here.

Warnings before making non-medical masks

According to studies, wearing a cloth mask reduces the risk of spreading the virus. It protects others rather than yourself by limiting the spread of droplets possibly carrying the virus, which can be projected into the air within a radius of up to 2 meters, even for a person with no symptoms. The fabric mask is a barrier that filters droplets, but does not filter air. Wearing a mask is not suitable for young children, as it can obstruct their breathing. To sew a mask for children under 12, we suggest that you omit the ties and only use elastic bands behind the ears as in model B. It is intended for general public use and not for the use of nursing staff.

Watch out for the false sense of security

The use of a mask does not replace government approved health guidelines. A badly used mask could prove to be ineffective.

vWearing a homemade mask does not replace these measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19:

Wash your hands
Practice social distancing
Cough in your elbow
Stay home as much as possible

Consult the health guidelines of the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada for full details.

Usage tips

Putting on the mask

Before putting on the mask, make sure that the mask has been washed beforehand.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap or use a hydroalcoholic solution if soap and water are not an option.
Place the elastics behind the ears or tie the strings carefully so that the mask fits snugly over the face with no space between the fabric and skin, ensuring skin contact without hair or beard hair in the way.
Never touch the mask while wearing it.
Change the mask at least every 4 hours AND as soon as it is wet or soiled.

Remove the mask without getting contaminated

Do not touch the front of the mask with your hands.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap or a hydroalcoholic solution if soap and water are not an option.
Remove the mask by pulling on the elastic or the cords without touching the mask.
Do not keep a mask around your neck or over your head after removing it.
Put the mask in the wash immediately.
Wash your hands again.

Maintenance

Masks can be washed with your regular load of laundry. Tumble dry with hot air. The use of fabric softener and air drying is not recommended. After each wash, it is recommended to perform a visual inspection to make sure that the mask does not show any signs of wear such as a hole, a tear or a deformation. If so, use another clean, undamaged mask. We invite you to follow all of Health Canada's recommendations regarding the use of homemade masks.

Choosing your fabrics

We recommend the use of two layers of quilting cottons. They are tightly woven fabrics. Be sure to wash with hot water and dry at a high temperature beforehand. We recommend using a plain fabric on the inside, such as Kona cotton and a printed fabric on the outside so that you can easily recognize which way to wear it. It is not necessary to soak with bleach, but if you wish to do so, we suggest you use Robert Kaufman's Premium Natural Muslin. The use of knitwear is not recommended.

Optional filter

Club Tissus mask patterns include an optional pocket for inserting a disposable or washable filter. Make sure you can breathe well through all the layers before wearing your mask in public. The idea of the filter is to act as an absorbent of moisture from the breath. For a washable option, you can use 100% polypropylene Lentra non-woven fabric, through which you can breathe. The very thin Request 100% cotton quilt batting. is also an option. Again, make sure you can breathe through the layers. If you don't have those, a layer of flannel might just do the trick. For a disposable option, you can use a commercial paper towel that you fold in half. Some resources recommend using a piece of vacuum bag, but warns against bags that have fiberglass or chemicals. Other sources recommend using a coffee filter, but they may make breathing more difficult. Test them yourself!

Here are some additional sources that will help you learn more: :

Remember that a fabric mask does not replace safety measures, take care of yourself and your sewing machines!

Our free patterns

Level of difficulty : Easy. Basic sewing machine skills required. Time required : About 1 h Seam allowance included: 1 cm (3/8 in)

Style A

Download free patterns

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Download free patterns

Leave us your email address to get the free patterns.

Required material :

Pre-made set for making your own non-medical masks

In this kit, you will find everything you need to create 5 masks using our free patterns.

Small :

Outside cotton : 15 cm (6 in) (will allow you to make 8 masks in 112 cm (44 in) width of fabric)
Kona cotton or premium muslin lining: 15 cm (6 in) (will allow you to make 8 masks in 112 cm (44 in) width of fabric)
Fastening
- Ribbon option: 1 m 30 (51 ¼ in) of ribbon
- Elastic behind ears option: 36 cm (14 ¼ in) of elastic
- Elastic behind the head option: 45 cm (17 ¾ in) of elastic
Metal wire : 8 cm (3 in) or a pre-cut nose stripe of 9 cm (3 1/2 in)

Medium :

Outside cotton : 20 cm (8 in (will allow you to make 5 masks in 112 cm (44 in) width of fabric)
Kona cotton or premium muslin lining: 20 cm (10 in) (will allow you to make 5 masks in 112 cm (44 in) width of fabric)
Fastening
- Ribbon option: 2 m (78 ¾ in) of ribbon
- Elastic behind ears option: 44 cm (17 ¼ in) of elastic
- Elastic behind the head option: 60 cm (23 5/8 in) of elastic
Metal wire  : 12 cm (4 ¾ in) or a pre-cut nose stripe of 9 cm (3 1/2 in)

Large :

Outside cotton : 25 cm (10 in) (will allow you to make 5 masks in 112 cm (44 in) width of fabric)
Kona cotton or premium muslin lining: 25 cm (10 in) (will allow you to make 5 masks in 112 cm (44 in) width of fabric)
Fastening
- Ribbon option: 2 m (78 ¾ in) of ribbon
- Elastic behind ears option: 50 cm (19 ¾ in) of elastic
- Elastic behind the head option: 70 cm (27 ½ in) of elastic
Metal wire  : 13 cm (5 in) or a pre-cut nose stripe of 9 cm (3 1/2 in)

Cutting requirements :

1 piece of outer fabric
1 piece of lining fabric
2 pieces of fabric to make ribbon casings
6 mm or 10 mm ribbons or elastic depending on the choice of fastening option

	Metal wire	Ribbon option	Elastic behind ears option	Elastic behind the head option
Small	8 cm (3 in) or a pre-cut nose stripe of 9 cm (3 1/2 in)	2 x 65 cm (25 1/2 in)	45 cm (17 ¾ in)	8 cm (3 in)
Medium	12 cm (4 3/4 in) or a pre-cut nose stripe of 9 cm (3 1/2 in)	2 x 1 m (40 in)	2 x 22 cm (8 ¾ in)	60 cm (23 5/8 in)
Large	13 cm (5 in) or a pre-cut nose stripe of 9 cm (3 1/2 in)	2 x 1 m (40 in)	2 x 25 cm (10 in)	70 cm (27 ½ in)

Optional: A piece of 1-3mm aluminumor copper wire cut according to chart. Use a pair of pliers to bend the ends inwards to round them off. Optional: Serge/overlock the edges around each piece of fabric before starting.

Video

Follow the steps for making the pleated mask on video! (Note that this video is available in French only)

STEP 1 : Transfer all of the pattern markings onto the fabric using an erasable fabric pencil.

STEP 2 : With the right sides of the outer and lining fabric facing each other, sew along the top of the mask. The top of the mask is the long side without the markings.

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Club Tissus Team

For over 30 years, our passionate team has been offering the finest fabrics, yarns, and accessories to bring all your creative projects to life. Never short on ideas, we love sharing inspiring and practical DIY projects. To us, sewing and crafting are more than just hobbies—they’re a way to support your creative ideas with expertise and enthusiasm!