Duck Bill Personal Face Mask – Made Easy
Hello Dear Friends and Readers, I hardly know what words to say to you today. This horrible crisis has everyone on tenterhooks. It’s very stressful. I see that today the CDC (USA) has now advised on the public wearing home made cotton masks when they go out to prevent community based transmission of Covid19 – if they choose to. I certainly want to wear one, to protect others from me and vice versa, in as much as is possible with a non medical mask. Here is the link to that information.
Medical masks must be preserved for those in healthcare but we need something too.
Here is latest information about making face masks.
Last night I was using one of my Happy Day Microwave bowl holders,
Happy Day Microwave Bowl Holder Pattern
I had an epiphany, I think I could modify the design to make a personal face mask. So I stayed up late last night and have been working this morning to perfect the design I bring to you today. For those of you who made the Happy Days Bowls in the past, you will see how easy this to do. I have seen there are so many people making masks now which is absolutely wonderful. However they range from moderately simple to more complex. They can take a bit of time to do. Some of the requirements may not be at hand and you don’t want to go out to get them. I am hoping you will see how quick and easy this is to make with things you already have at home. Those of you familiar with my blog will know that I like to use squares and this is no exception. This mask incorporates a bit of form around the nose and a pretty good seal around the face.. If you don’t have any elastic then substitute or make some ties in it’s place.
As a disclaimer, this not a medical face mask. It does not reduce the need for physical distancing. It is intended for your personal use only. If you make one for someone else, they should wash before using. Please understand that you should wash your hands before donning, before doffing (removing) and after removing, as the mask could be contaminated.
Remember it is only made of cotton, if you are interested in knowing more about high filtration in medical masks check out the following link. You don’t want to wear this mask for long periods, especially if you suffer from shortness of breath.
wikipedia.HEPA
So without further ado let’s whip up a Duck Bill Personal Face Mask – Made Easy.
Please read all instructions before commencing.
Please Note. The masks in the photos are ALL the same mask. The pink one with the ties is in the open position ready to wear. Feel free to use ties or elastic, whichever you prefer.. The others show how they look when they are folded flat.
All seams based on 1/4“.
Requirements for one Duck Bill Personal Face Mask – Made Easy
2 of 10“ x 10“ squares of cotton quilting fabric or sheeting.
2 of Freezer bag twist ties
1 of 12“ length of 1/4“ (6mm) elastic
Method of construction
To the right side of one of the squares, pin the ends of the elastic so that it is not twisted to two adjacent corners of the square as pictured.
Cover with the second square of fabric, right sides together. Fold the two twist ties longitudinally. Place in the centre just away from fabric edge within the seam allowance, between the two corners where the elastic is laid.
Beginning from the left corner with the elastic, sew a 1/4“ seam allowance around the perimeter, sewing over the elastics and twist ties, leaving an opening fro turning.
Clip the two bottom corners only, then turn to the right side. Use a chopstick or similar to assist.
Tun in the seam allowance of the opening. Pin in place. Top stitch all around the perimeter. Begin on the top side of the square as close to the edge as possible. Add a second seam to the top edge. Fold the top edge to the centre. Fold the bottom edge to the centre.
Tun over. Fold the whole piece longitudinally along the centre line, seams on the outside.
Pin in place. Carefully sew down the side seams. Go slowly, it will be thick.
Repeat for the other side. This is how it will look now.
Now…this might sound strange, but align the seam you have just sewn with the adjacent lower edge of the mask, this will be achieved by moving it on a 45 degree angle. If you are not sure, put the mask on and you will see how you will need to sew the side seams down flat on the sides of the mask.
Stitch in place. Do the same on the other side.
Here you can see how it will look from the front, back and side views.
Now it is ready to wear, it can be shaped around the nose. It is a good reminder, not to touch your face. I wear it to the shops. Wash hands before and after removing. Hand wash and dry promptly.
Here is how it looks on.
I hope this is helpful. All I can say is, please keep safe, I wish you all good health. At least we can support each other on line.
If you enjoyed this post you may also find this useful.
Surgical Scrub Hat – Ladies & Tutorial
If you are looking for other projects for 10“ squares, here is another.
Little Flower Bag and Tutorial
All the best,
Susie
© Susan Stuklis 2020
With the world currently battling with pollution levels, volcanic eruptions, bush fires, smog and haze in cities, and now the Covid-19 virus, wearing a face mask will soon be the norm. Whether you want to use a face mask for a cold, while traveling outdoors, recovering from chemotherapy or other illnesses, work related reasons, allergies, cleaning, fashion statement or simply hiding from people you don’t like to talk to, I have tried my best to cover the many styles of designs available on the market.
Over the next few days I will be releasing a few face mask patterns for you to download to use for free. You will be able to make your very own washable, re-usable face masks. Great for gifts or just to make some money on the side. I have drafted these patterns with the help of designs I have seen out and about whilst shopping for face masks.
I wasn’t happy with the fit or the design, so I have decided to make my own designs with improvements.
At present I am living in a city that is facing a shortage of face masks. There are people that cannot get hold of any. Some people resort to reusing masks that are meant to be used only once. While others try and make do with what they could find around the house, or simply people just can’t afford the prices shops are asking for.
People are getting desperate!
Duckbill Style Face Mask
This Duckbill Style face mask is a lot more street, modern and stylish compared to the surgical style designs available. The mask was designed to allow the top edge and the bottom edge to naturally wrap the face without having to insert a nose bar. The shape does not allow the mask to ride upwards to obstruct your sight. The sides are slightly longer than most masks on the market for more coverage around the face. The front of the mask has a little space so it does not sit next to your lips and will not obstruct your speech.
The patterns will be quite simple to sew together, but you might need help understanding the pattern if you have never made one before. I have tried to keep it quite basic without compromising on the design. A lot of tutorials out there covering the making of the masks are not intuitive enough or does not tell you how to properly cut out a piece of fabric.
Size & Design
My face masks will come in a minimal of 3 sizes. Some will have more depending on the style. I will be releasing at least 5 different styles to suit different people’s tastes and preferences. Some people will find certain designs fit their faces better than others. Since some people are finding it hard to buy face masks in the city. I have also designed a face mask cover with the intent of using a surgical mask on the inside for proper filtration and to prolong its use.
When printing (ideally on A4 International Paper) all patterns should be printed 100% scale with No Scale to Fit Page/Media.
The envelope should be printed Landscape and fit Page/Media to not waste space on the paper.
Here is a little gift for you to keep your patterns together and organised. Lookout for the other designs.
All you need to do is cut it out and dab a bit of glue to the sides, wait for it to dry and you are good to go.
The envelope should be printed Landscape and Fit Page/Media to not waste space on the paper.
I am not able to make the envelope into a PDF file because it will be too large and will cause my website to crash. This is because my web hosting company cannot handle the downloading traffic. Last time it caused my site to be down for 3 days! For now, it will be a JPEG file.
NEW Due to popular request, I have created an Extra Large pattern for those that have big face family members and friends! Sorry it has taken a bit of time. I don’t have any big guys here to model it onto.
Click on the image to download.
You might want to check out my other face mask blogs. They too have downloadable patterns for you to use. Remember to download the corresponding envelopes so you can keep your patterns together and organised. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram for updates.
Disclaimer/Please take note: My face masks do not replace medical/surgical face masks. These are also not designed to be used on babies or toddlers. Supervision is a must on small children.
These are face masks with basic filtration. It is good for dust particles and maybe blocking out some odours. Most of my masks requires only 2 layers of fabric, but you may consider making a 3 layer one by using water repellent/waterproof fabrics on the outer layer, a filtration layer in the middle, then an absorbent material next to your skin.
In some of my tutorials, I use the patterned fabric on the outside for obvious reasons, waterproof on the inside, then a breathable and absorbent fabric next to the skin.
Please do your own mask research if you are planning to make and wear a mask for protection against particles smaller than dust, such as a mask to protect you from airborne viruses.
If you are in a country currently facing the Covid-19 virus, frequent cleaning of your hands with soap and water, not touching the face, not shaking hands with people, and basic hygiene is advisable. Masks can only help to a certain degree.
Recommended Fabrics:
Outer fabrics:
Double gauze
Cotton
Gore-Tex is probably the best. Water repellent/waterproof fabric, and allows you to breathe. Can be quite pricey.
Some Tafettas (Micro-Fibre) are water repellent/water proof, but also breathable.
Be careful when purchasing 100% waterproof fabric for making bags. They are great but you will sweat and can’t breathe!
Inner and absorbent fabrics:
Cotton
Jersey (Be careful it will stretch)
Double gauze
Flannel
You could use a lining fabric next to the skin.
It is down to personal preference.
If you are living in Hong Kong and want to get your hands on some fabric and elastic supplies, I will put links to where I bought my supplies from. Click on the link to download the Map of Sham Shui Po 2020, where I will show you locations of shops. For the elastic, I bought these from my local stationery shop, but most stationery shops in Hong Kong will stock this in their craft section. Otherwise, just pop into the elastic shops/manufacturers located on my map.
Elastic locations: Red dots 1-7. Especially Wing Fung Industries opposite the temple. Red dot 17 is another elastic manufacturer. Blue dots 1, 4, 10. Green dot 4. Middle of Ki Lung Street opposite Pink dot 7. You might be interested in my Sourcing for Elastic in Hong Kong post for other types of elastics. Along the section of the road, Red dots 1-7, are shops selling mask making supplies. Please note: Waterproof fabrics do not allow you to breathe. You could be harbouring bacteria.
I do not recommend such kits.
Fabrics
Most of the outer fabrics I have chosen to use are 100% cotton or 100% organic cotton. It is very sustainable, affordable, breathable, easy to sew, and comes in many colours and designs.
I bought my recent fabric stash from Modes4u.com. They also have a sister company called Kawaiifabric.com. If you aren’t sure about the fabric choice and don’t want to splash out too much on one style of fabric, Modes4u.com sell their fabrics in 1/2 metres. Recently I discovered they sell a lot of their fabrics in fat quarter sizes. Great for small projects like these. They ship internationally and they are pretty fast. Click the Modes4U banner on the right hand side bar.
Tools you will need:
Sewing Machine, Fabric, Scissors, Pattern Printout, Sewing Thread, Elastic, Ruler, Chalk/Pencil, Pins, Iron, Ironing Board, Card (Not essential), Hair Grip/Bobby Pin.
Light Weight Interfacing: If your fabric is a bit too light and you want to give it a little body/structure, I would suggest backing it with some light weight interfacing.
If you have to use medium weight interfacing, then I will be guessing you are using very light weight fabric. The fabric may not be suitable for making face masks, so you might want to reconsider your choice. This is not an essential item, but it will help.
Make sure you pre-wash your fabric and interfacing before you cut and sew the mask. This will allow for any shrinkage. Remember this is a washable and re-useable face mask. The last thing you want to happen is it shrinks after the first use. Putting the fabrics into a netted wash bag will help stop any loose threads from making a mess in the washing machine.
You are watching the cut down version of the Duckbill Style Face Mask Tutorial. It has extra scenes cut out for those that want to skip to the making of the mask. If you have pattern cutting and sewing skills, then this is the tutorial for you. I will explain the most important part, then we move swiftly onto cutting and construction.
If you require a bit more than just a tutorial on making, please watch the extended version where I will be explaining and talk through pattern placement and construction.
There will be extra scenes, tips and advice.
As promised, here is how to draft the pattern for the Duckbill Style Face Mask from scratch. It won’t be exact as the PDF pattern, but it will be close. You just need to refine it. I hope this will help you if you don’t have access to a printer or ran out of ink!
Next pattern is out already!
Remember to share. Sharing is caring!
Shan x
You are welcome to download and use my patterns to make items for friends, family, neighbours, or even to sell. I only ask of you to help me share or credit me and state where you got the patterns from.
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