How to Make a Face Covering Using a Bandana
With a few basic sewing techniques, you can create your own custom face covering that is easily adjustable and suited to you. In this tutorial we will demonstrate how easy it is to create a face covering from a bandana.
Use with our homemade ear savers for added comfort. The tutorial can be found here.
Please note: This face covering is not a medical device. Please see government guidance.
For information regarding local groups of sewing volunteers who have been making for their communities and how to join in, please visit The Big Community Sew.
You will need
How to make
You will also need a bandana - available in Hobbycraft stores
Seam allowance: 1cm unless otherwise stated.
Press/iron your bandana and position pattern piece (21cm x 18cm) in one corner (to achieve symmetry of pattern).
Repeat on opposite corner of bandana so that you have two pieces of fabric .
With the right side of fabric facing you, measure 5cm from the top.
Fold the fabric at the 5cm point and press a pleat of 1cm.
Repeat this twice so that you have three pleats.
On one piece of fabric, with right side facing and pleats facing downwards, pin a piece of elastic on each side of the fabric as shown.
Sew the elastic at each corner diagonally, to secure.
Place the right sides of the fabric together and pin and sew a 1cm seam around three sides, being careful to only sew the corners of the concealed elastic in place. Ensure that the position of the pleats is as shown to enable the completed face covering to be pulled down correctly.
If required, position and sew a pipe cleaner or plastic covered wire tie in to position as shown.
Turn the mask the right way around and press.
Then turn in a 5mm seam at bottom of mask, pin and then sew a 5mm edge around entire mask.