HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 1 of 8
Guidelines for sewing face masks during COVID-19 pandemic
Health care workers rely on personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves and their
patients. Due to an increased demand for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, Upstate is exploring
alternate supply chain options.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does approve the use of homemade masks
when the usual supply has been depleted. Upstate will accept homemade masks made to the
approved Upstate specications below and on the following pages. Upstate will not accept
masks that are square or are made outside of these guidelines. These masks will be used only in
the event that supplies of hospital-grade and industrial-grade masks are depleted.
Materials/Tools
Main Fabric (tightly woven cotton), 13”x 7”, prewashed
Lining Fabric (annel or tightly woven cotton), 12”x 7”, prewashed
Elastic (cord or at) for ear loops (sizes vary, 12”-16”) or
Homemade cotton ties (4 strips, 18”x1.5”)
Pipe cleaners, garden twist-ties or at aluminum wire 5” long*
Sewing machine (hand sewing okay)
Iron
Tracing paper and Wheel (if needed)
Pattern (see pg. 5-8)
Sources: Calico Gals Quilt Shop, 3906 New Court Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13206 offers weekly curb-side
pick-up of supplies. Call (315) 445-0617 or email store@calicogals.com to make an appointment.
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Donations and Drop Off
Questions should be directed to
CovidDonations@Upstate.edu.
Excess mask donations will be shared
with other Syracuse-area hospitals.
Contact
CovidDonations@upstate.edu
to arrange to deliver completed
masks to one of the following
locations:
—Traffic circle at Upstate University
Hospital, 750 East Adams Street
—Upstate Community Hospital,
4900 Broad Road
—Calico Gals Quilt Shop,
3906 New Court Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13206
315) 445-0617
store@calicogals.com
Name and contact information must
be included with each donation.
A nished mask
HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 2 of 8
Sewing Instructions for Face Mask
1
. Print the pattern (Two sizes are included here: See pages 5-8.)
Use the gauge at the bottom of each page to ensure that it printed at true size.
Note: the main fabric is wider at the side than the lining piece.
This will create the pocket for the elastic/tie.
2. Fold the main fabric in half with the wrong sides facing each other.
Pin or trace main fabric template onto the fabric. Cut out the fabric pieces.
3. Fold the lining fabric in half with the wrong sides facing each other.
Pin or trace lining fabric template onto the fabric. Cut out the fabric pieces.
4 Pattern is shown with a ¼” seam allowance. If your sewing machine does not have a
¼” presser foot, you may trace the stitching line onto the wrong side of each of the
four pieces of fabric, using tailor’s tracing paper and tracing wheel at this step.
4. Turn the fabric for the main piece of the mask so that the right sides are facing each other.
Sew the center curved line of the face mask.
5. Clip curve along with the seam allowance.
Be careful. Don’t accidently clip the stitches.
6. Press seam allowance to one side.
Topstitch near to the seam line on the side where the seam allowance is.
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Step 5
Step 1 & 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 6
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Step 10
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 3 of 8
7. Repeat the sewing for the lining pieces.
8. Place the mask and lining right sides together.
Align the center seam line and pin the pieces.
Sew the top and bottom lines.
Turn the face mask right side out.
Press seam neatly.
9. Topstitch along the bottom edge.
Prior to sewing the top edge, insert a 5” nose piece* from inside between the mask and
lining (pipe cleaner, heavy duty gardening twist ties, or at aluminum wire. Pictures below).
Be sure to turn sharp edges of wire in or cover with small pieces of duct tape to prevent
ends from poking through fabric.
*
Begin top stitching at the outer edge.
As you get toward your pipe cleaner/ wire, make sure to stitch down and around it,
making a small channel or pocket to hold the nose piece in place.
Top stitch as before once you get to the other side.
10. This is how it looks from the inside at this stage.
The main fabric of the side ear area is longer than the lining piece.
This is going to be the pocket of the elastic/tie.
HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 4 of 8
11. Fold in ¼” at the raw edge of the main fabric (pressing as you go if needed for easier sewing).
Fold again so that the rst fold edge is ¼” from the lining raw edge.
Sew a straight line down. Don’t forget to perform a few back stitches at each end to
lock the thread ends. This will help with durability.
12. Alternative 1- Elastic Bands: Measure and cut the length of the elastic.
Preferred length is 8” for each side. Thread through the ear side pocket, tie ends together
in a loose knot so the wearer can adust them. Repeat on the other side.
13. Alternative 2-Fabric Ties: If you can’t nd elastic, or prefer to use fabric ties, you can use
4 fabric ties, one in each corner.
Take 4 strips of cotton fabric, each measuring 18”x 1.5”.
Fold each raw edge toward the center and iron.
You will end with a doubled-folded strip that is ½” wide.
Fold each end over, iron and sew across using forward and backward stitches so that they do
not fray. Then sew the entire length of the tie, repeating the anchoring stitches at the other end.
Sew one tie in each corner.
Your mask is now ready. Please place in a clean bag, along with a card with your name, phone num-
ber, and email address. Contact CovidDonations@upstate.edu to arrange to drop off your donated
masks.
Online tutorial: https://youtu.be/V1l0Yo5pJ-4 (14 minutes)
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Step 11
Step 12
HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 5 of 8
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FACE MASK
Medium Mask Pattern, 1 of 2
HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 6 of 8
FACE MASK
Medium Mask Pattern, 2 of 2
HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 7 of 8
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FACE MASK
Large Mask Pattern, 1 of 2
HOW TO MAKE FACE MASKS
INSTRUCTIONS, PATTERNS AND GUIDELINES page 8 of 8
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FACE MASK
Large Mask Pattern, 2 of 2
