Until now I’ve only made masks that pleated from the top. This time I wanted to make one that pleats from the center. The process is the same but I find the resulting pleated face mask a little better and more comfortable to wear. This mask fits me, so I’d say it’s adult size or adult female size. However, I have two beautiful and willing models at home so one of them stood in front of the camera despite the fact that the mask is a little too big for her:-)
Supplies
- two 22 x 22 cm (8.66 x 8.66 in) squares of 100% cotton fabric
- 2 bias tapes of 90 cm (35.4 in) or 2 elastic bands – these can be shorter
- pins
- thread
- scissors
- safety pin
How to make this pleated mask
Place both squares on top of each other and right sides together. Stitch them together and leave 5 cm (1.96 in) open on one side.
Turn the two layers of fabric right side out through the opening. Iron well and pres the folded edges of the opening together. The stitch alongside all four edges from the right side.
Start pleating from the center going up or down and iron each pleat. You don’t need to measure the pleats if you don’t want to. When you’re done pleating you can adjust the pleats so they look nice and regular. I just find the midde of the square, and then tuck about 1 cm (0.4 in) under.
Then I leave a stripe of fabric on the outside and again tuck a thinner stripe under. Two pleats and I’m done one that side.
Then I go on the opposite side and follow the same steps to pleat.
This is what it looks like when I’m done.
Pin all the pleats.
Turn the mask upside down and repin the short edges folding them in and creating a tunnel for your bias tape or elastic. Stitch from the outside
Attach the safety pin to the bias tape or elastic and pull it through the tunnel on each side.
Pleated face mask done!
Are your ears sore from the elastic? Try this ear saver!
Would you like to try a completely different type of mask? How about this mask with nose adjustment?
Want more info? Here’s the WHO explaining when to wear a face mask.
Can you send me these instructions in inches to me please
I added the measurements in inches in this tutorial. When I have a little more time I want to update all face mask tutorials to have also the inches but for now I recommend using the online converters, for example: https://www.inches-to-cm.com/cm-to-inches.php
Your page is hard to follow. I couldn’t find instructions to download unless I downloaded a PDF converter I did not want so I used a different website
Hi, I didn’t include an option for PDF download, never thought of it. Maybe something to do in the future, thanks for the idea.
Nice alternative to the one-way pleats. I would like to know the measurements of the finished mask.
Yes, it’s actually a bit more comfy to wear! The finished mask is about 7,1 x 3,4-3,9 in, definitely too big for my girl, more of an adult size.