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

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: :

• Health Canada – Considerations for Using Homemade Masks to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 
• Gouvernement du Québec – Guidelines and directives in the context of COVID-19 
• Government of Canada – Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Prevention and Risks 
• New York Times – What’s the Best Material for a Mask? 

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

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.

or

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)

or

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)

or

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 

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. 

STEP 3 : Press the seam allowance open. 

STEP 4 : Turn the bottom edges up 1 cm (3/8 in) of the outer fabric, with the wrong sides touching, and press along the fold. Stitch 6 mm (1/4 in) from the edge to make a hem. Repeat with the lining fabric. 

STEP 5 : Along the bottom of the mask, sew in from each side, stop when you reach the markings, and backstitch to secure. There should now be an opening between the markings where you did not sew. If making the mask without the metal wire, skip to step 8. 

STEP 6 : Turn the mask right sides out. At the top end of the mask without the opening, topstitch 1 cm (3/8 in) from the edge to make a casing for the wire. 

STEP 7 : Insert the metal wire in the casing and sew a bar-tack stitch on either side of the metal wire to enclose it. 

STEP 8 : Using the markings on the pattern, fold the fabric in the direction of the arrows. The pleats will be facing down. Stitch down the sides close to the edge, to keep the folds in place. 

STEP 9 : If you want to leave a pocket for inserting a filter, leave the opening at the bottom of the mask open. If you do not want a pocket in your mask, stitch along the entire bottom of the mask 6 mm (1/4 in) from the edge to close the opening. 

STEP 10 : Fold the shorter ends of the fabric for the ribbon casings inwards by 1 cm (3/8 in) and stitch 6 mm (1/4 in) from the edge to make a hem.

STEP 11 : Place the mask right side up in front of you and position a long edge of one ribbon casing right side down along a side edge of the mask. Stitch 1 cm (3/8 in) from the edge to sew it down. Repeat with the other ribbon casing on the other side of the mask.  

STEP 12 : Fold the other long edge of the ribbon casing inwards by 1 cm (3/8 in) and then fold it over the side of the mask. Line up the folded edge along the stitching visible on the reverse side of the mask. 

STEP 13 : Topstitch the other side of the ribbon casing down. 

STEP 14 :

Ribbon option: Insert the ribbons through the casings. If the ends of your ribbons are fraying, tie a small knot on each end or sew a small hem.

Behind ears elastic option: Cut two pieces of elastic according to the chart. Insert one elastic into one casing and sew both ends together. Hide the seam of the elastic into the casing. Repeat for the other side.

Around the head elastic option: Cut a piece of elastic according to the chart. Insert one end of the elastic in one casing from the bottom to the top. Insert the same end of the elastic in the second casing from the top to the bottom. Sew both ends of the elastic together. Hide the seam of the elastic in one casing.

Tip: If you don’t achieve a perfect fit of the elastics on the first try, adding 4 inches (10 cm) to the length of the elastic will allow you to tie a knot and adjust the elastic to fit perfectly to your size. Then, you can either write down the elastic length for your next mask, cut and sew the ends or simply tie a knot and cut the excess and hide the knot into the casing.

STEP 15 : Place the mask on your face and adjust the ribbons, cinching the casings as needed so that it sits snuggly against your cheeks and chin. If the ribbon is slippery, once the mask is adjusted, make a small stitch on the two ends of the casings through all layers to keep them in place. 

Style B

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.

or

Small : 

• Outside cotton : 15 cm (6 in) (will allow you to make 4 masks in 112cm or 44 in width of fabric)   
• Kona cotton or premium muslin lining: 15cm (6 in) (will allow you to make 4 masks in 112cm or 44 in width of fabric)  
• Fastening 
  • Ribbon and elastic option : 1 m 30 (51 ¼ in) of ribbon et 28 cm (11 in) of elastic 
  • Elastic behind the head option: 45 cm (17 ¾ in) of elastic 
• Metal Wire : 8cm (3 in) or a pre-cut nose stripe of 9 cm (3 1/2 in)

or

Medium : 

• Outside cotton: 20 cm (8 in) (will allow you to make 3 masks in 112cm or 44 in width of fabric)   
• Kona cotton or premium muslin lining: 20 (8 in) (will allow you to make 3 masks in 112cm or 44 in width of fabric)  
• Fastening 
  •   Ribbon and elastic option: 2 m (78 ¾ in) of ribbon et 32 cm (12 ½ 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)

or

Large :  

• Outside cotton: 25 cm (10in) (will allow you to make 3 masks in 112cm or 44 in width of fabric)
• Kona cotton or premium muslin lining: 25 cm (10 in) (will allow you to make 3 masks in 112 cm or 44 in width of fabric)  
• Fastening 
  • Ribbon and elastic option: 2 m (78 ¾ in) of ribbon et 36 cm (14 1/4 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 :

• 2 pieces of the outer fabric   
• 2 pieces of lining fabric    
• 6 mm or 10 mm ribbons or elastic depending on the choice of fastening option

Optional: A piece of 1-2mm aluminum or 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 : Sew the two outer pieces of the mask along the curve, with rights sides together, at 1 cm (3/8 in) from the edge.  Repeat for the lining pieces. 

STEP 3 : Make snips in the seam allowance around the curves, being careful not to cut into the stitching, and press the seam on one side. 

STEP 4 : On the right side of each piece, topstitch near the seam to hold the folded seam allowances in place. 

STEP 5 : Turn the bottom edges up 1 cm (3/8 in) of the outer fabric,  with the wrong sides touching, and press along the fold.  Topstitch to hem in place.  Repeat with the lining fabric. 

STEP 6 : Ribbon and elastic option : place one end of each elastic in the bottom corner of the lining fabric and the other end of the elastic 1 cm (3/8 in) down from the top edge, stitching them close to the edge of the fabric to hold them in place.  

STEP 7 : With the right sides together, sew the outer and lining fabric together along the sides of the mask  1 cm (3/8 in) from the edge, making sure the elastic is between the fabric.

STEP 8 : Sew along the top of the mask, lining up the markings of the lining and the outer fabric. 

STEP 9 : Turn the mask right side out and use an iron to flatten the seams. 

STEP 10 : Topstitch 1 cm (3/8 in) on each side to create side channels for the ribbons. 

STEP 11 : Topstitch 1 cm (3/8 in) down from the top of the mask starting from one side, inserting the metal wire into the channel before sewing all the way to the other side. If you are making the mask without the metal wire, skip to step 13. 

STEP 12 : Make a bar tack on each side of the wire to hold it in place. 

STEP 13 : With optional filter pocket –Make a bar tack 4 cm (1 1/2 in) on each side from the center at the bottom of the mask. Without filter pocket – Topstitch along the bottom of the mask, taking care not to close the side channels.  

STEP 14 :

Ribbon option: Insert the ribbons in the side channels. If the ends of your ribbons are fraying, tie a small knot on each end or sew a small hem.

Around the head elastic option: Cut a piece of elastic according to the chart. Insert one end of the elastic in one casing from the bottom to the top. Insert the same end of the elastic in the second casing from the top to the bottom. Sew both ends of the elastic together. Hide the seam of the elastic in one casing.

Tip: If you don’t achieve a perfect fit of the elastics on the first try, adding 4 inches (10 cm) to the length of the elastic will allow you to tie a knot and adjust the elastic to fit perfectly to your size. Then, you can either write down the elastic length for your next mask, cut and sew the ends or simply tie a knot and cut the excess and hide the knot into the casing.

STEP 15 : Place the mask on your face and adjust the ribbons, cinching the casings as needed so that it sits snuggly against your cheeks and chin. If the ribbon is slippery, once the mask is adjusted, make a small stitch on the two ends of the casings through the ribbons to keep them in place. 

Do not forget that we love to see your creations. Feel free to share them with us through social media, using the hashtag #clubtissus.