My Hand-sewn Germ Mask With Filter Space in Photos

I made a germ mask that you can make by hand-sewing.

These instructions make one adult germ mask with filter space

Materials:
11-inch Pot Lid or Dinner Plate (for template)
1 Piece Fabric 12 inches or more square
Needle, thread, Scissors (or rotary cutter)
Coffee Filter or not (your choice)
Ribbon or Fabric suitable for making ties for tie backs   or …..
Two 7-inch pieces of elastic if making ear loops

Use an 11-inch pot lid or a large dinner plate for the template.  Place on fabric and draw around it.

I tried pencil but it was barely visible so I used a magic marker instead.

Fold circle in half and press.

Press circle in half again.  Open it up and cut on the drawn lines.  You will have 4 quarter circles.

If you use a wide rule and a rotary cutter its easier than with a scissors.

Measure 1 inch from the pointed end and cut those little triangles off on all 4 pieces.  These are your tab ends for ties or loops.

Place right sides together and lock seams evenly.  Stitch across the bottom half of your piece.  Use a back stitch to make it secure (or use a sewing machine).

For the top half, leave an opening on either side of the center seam for turning and for the filter opening.  I left about 1 1/2 inches on either side of the center face seam.

Turn the piece right side out.  Fold down the filter opening inside and sew stitches across on both front and back sections.  You want the opening for the filters.

For the two tab ends, fold over a quarter inch and then fold over once more and sew in place.  This is where you will thread your ties for the mask.

For this demonstration only, I was running behind schedule so I just cut two long strips of fabric about an inch wide and threaded it thru the tab sides with a safety pin.

In ordinary circumstances I would thread thru a washable ribbon or make a fabric tie.  The pattern in the video calls for two 26-inch ribbons, but I found I wanted mine a little longer.  I cut mine 28 inches and it worked just fine for me.

For a fabric tie, cut a fabric strip 1 and 1/4 inches wide, fold both sides to center (right sides out) and press.  Next, fold in half so the rough edges are inside and unseen and press again.  Sew along the open edge of the folded fabric so you have a nice, even tie back.

Here is the mask without any filter inside.  The opening at the top is not hindered in any way.

Into the top opening you can stuff your choice of filter.  I have chosen a coffee filter.  Just tuck it into the space and smooth it out inside.  You can easily withdraw the filter and toss when you are safe at home.  These masks, being 100% cotton, are washable for use over and over again.  Just tuck a new filter in the mask when you go anywhere.

Here is the mask with the coffee filter in place.  The mask fits snugly and you can tie it as tight as you like since this one uses long tie backs.  Just place the mask loosely on your face, tie the bottom ties  around your neck, lift the mask over your nose and tie the upper ties snugly behind your head.

I have used both tie backs and ear loops and find tie backs work better for me.  They can be tied as tight as you like and that makes them fit more snugly around your face for a safer fit.

I hope these instructions were easy to follow and you, too, are able to make this mask.  You can make it all by hand, all by machine, or a little of both.  Depends on how you feel and what you can use that particular day.

Have a good day.