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How to make a Tartan Face Mask
Given the current demand for face masks is increasing around the world, we have been investigating how you can create your own Tartan Face Mask at home. Hopefully you'll have all you need at home but we are on hand to help if you need to get yourself some 100% cotton fabric.
What you need to make your Tartan Face Mask:
- A Needle and thread... get hunting out that sewing kit!
- Scissors
- Pins, Clips or Safety Pins (anything to hold your fabric in place)
- 100% Cotton Tartan Fabric: You'll need around 50cm/20 inches x 50cm/20 inches (Of course, you don't have to use a Tartan fabric but the bright colours will help to cheer everyone up if you do!)
- 4 x Strips of Cotton Tartan Fabric about 46cm/18 inches x 2cm/¾ inch or 4 clean shoelaces or two strips of sewing elastic 18cm/7 inches long
Step 1
Fold your Tartan fabric in half. Measure and cut both layers of fabric to the size 24cm/9.5 inches x 16.5cm/6.5 inches, these pieces of fabric will form the base of your mask.
Now we need to sort out the ties for your mask, if you are making them from cotton fabric then cut 4 strips of fabric 46cm/18 inches x 2cm/¾ inch. Fold each strip twice along the length and then again so that all of the rough edges are inside. Sew straight along the length of each strip.
Step 2
Use one of your two rectangles (with the correct side towards you) to pin your ties to. Top Tip: Gather your fabric ties up now before you move on to Step 3.
Step 3
Take your second rectangle and place it on top of the first. The wrong side should be facing you this time so that both of the correct sides are facing each other. You should have created a "Tartan Fabric Sandwich". Use pins to keep everything in place.
Step 4
About 0.6cm / ¼ inch inches up from the bottom edge start sewing from the centre of the fabric to the bottom left hand corner.
Make sure to add some additional stitches in the corner to secure your tie. Take your pin out once you've sewn everything in place.
Step 5
Carry on stitching around the rest of your mask, but leave about a 4cm/1 ½ inch gap on the bottom edge. Remember your extra stitches in each corner.
Step 6
Turn your mask out using the gap you had left along the bottom corner. You should see the correct sides of your fabric and all of your ties.
Step 7
Create three staggered pleats along the length of your mask, a bit like a cummerbund. This will help the mask to fit your face. Hold your pleats in place with some pins.
Step 8
Now that you have your pleats in place, sew around the edge, about 0.6cm/¼ inch from the edge. Once you've done this do the same again, another 0.6cm/¼ inch from the first round of stitching.
There you have it, your very own Tartan Face Mask! If you really don't fancy making your own then we can make them for you - order yours here.
