I was recently asked to make some toddler sized face masks.  They used jewelry elastic, of which I had none.  But a friend suggested using hair elastics.  I still had some leftover from my days as a dancer in my dance bag.  After some research I found a free pattern from SeeKatesew.com and then made these adaptations: lined with interfacing as a built in filter; using hair elastics.

I’m grateful to the generosity of these pattern designers to share their patterns with the world at this crazy time. I ask you to please be respectful and honor them and their copyrights, and my adaptations.  These patterns are not to be used for your personal profit.

The best materials to make face masks out of are tightly woven, like high thread count quilter’s cottons (batiks, hand-dyes), sheets, poly-cotton t-shirts, etc.

Pre-wash all fabrics before making. Wash mask again once completed and before wearing.

Upon research I’ve discovered that nonwoven interfacing, which is washable in hot water, provides added filtration, so I’ve been sewing it right into the masks. If you don’t have interfacing, many re-useable shopping totes are non-woven polypropylene material which is also a “good” filtration layer. Nonwoven polypropylene bags feel like material, compared to those bags that are coated and feel more like plastic. Remember you do need to be able to breathe through it. Nonwoven Polypropylene is washable on hot water and provides added filtration. Please wash before you begin.

Toddler face mask.

Cut 2 - 5” x 7” rectangles of fabric

Cut 1 - 5” x 7” rectangle of interfacing/ polypropylene bag

2 – hair elastics

General sewing directions: sew with right sides together, a ¼” seam allowance, and a tight stitch length 2mm +/- unless specified otherwise.

Place interfacing on wrong side of front fabric rectangle. Staystitch along top and bottom.

Folding at stitch line, fold towards wrong side and iron. (top of mask)

Slide un-interfaced back fabric inside hair elastics.

With right sides together, sew short, side seams using ¼” seam allowance.

Pull elastics to sewn sides.  Pin raw edges of un-ironed long side (bottom) about 3/8” away from elastic on each end. Sew.

Turn right side out.

Pin top together aligning ironed edges and top-stitch.

Push elastic to the side into the seam. You may want to pin it aside. The first time I made it I did not pin, and I caught the elastic on one side, and broke my needle on the metal on the other. So I found it was worth taking the time to pin when I made my second face mask.

This part is a little tricky. Sew a casing 3/8” away from the edge, smoothing the fabric as you sew, being careful NOT to catch the hair elastic.

If your hair elastic has a metal joining piece like mine did, make sure it’s in the casing.

Sew across one corner, catching the elastic. Pull on the elastic, gathering the mask, and then sew across the other corner to secure.

Your toddler mask with a built in filter is done. Don’t forget to wash the face mask before giving it to the toddler to wear.

Good luck to all you parents getting your children to wear them without fiddling.

If elastic bother child’s ears, or they are pulling them off, you could try running a string or ribbon through the elastics and tying it behind their heads.

Taking face masks OFF and care, based upon what I understand:

1. Take off without touching the mask front. Take off by telastics and corners.  Fold in towards front.

2. Wear once and then wash.

3. Ideally, wash right away in hot water and soap.  If you can’t, place in a bag until you wash. Wash your hands immediately before touching anything else.

4. Do Not share masks.