FREE Printable Pleated Face Mask Pattern

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Download this free printable Pleated Face Mask Pattern complete with opening for filter pocket and casings for drawstrings or elastic.

Since sharing my Pleated Fabric Face Mask with Casings & Filter Pocket tutorial, I’ve had a lot of requests for a printable pleated face mask pattern. So, today, I’m doing just that!

I created this free printable Pleated Face Mask Pattern in PDF format. So that you can easily download it, print it and cut it out to make a pattern for your own use.

Sewing Instructions

You’ll find the original instructions for sewing a pleated face mask here. I’ve also included the instructions in the printable pleated face mask pattern. You can follow along with the instructions here on the blog or once you download the pattern, you can print the instructions out or view them on your computer, tablet or phone.

And for convenience sake, I’ve listed the printable instructions (how-to card) below. For the ad-free version of the instructions and the actual printable pattern, be sure to subscribe below for instant access to the pattern.

Download Printable Pleated Face Mask Pattern

This pleated face mask pattern is available exclusively to subscribers of The Birch Cottage newsletter. As a subscriber you’ll have access to this free printable pattern and the ENTIRE Subscribers Resource Library

Download this free printable Pleated Face Mask Pattern complete with opening for filter pocket and casings for drawstrings or elastic.

I hope by making this pattern available, that it will help people to be able to more easily make pleated fabric face masks.

Sew a Pleated Fabric Face Mask with Casings & Filter Pocket

Yield: 1 Fabric Pleated Face Mask

Follow along with these instructions to make a pleated fabric face mask complete with casings for the drawstrings or elastic and a filter pocket. This is the most versatile face mask and fits a variety of face sizes and will fit over a surgical or N95 mask. For best results, use 100% cotton fabric and thread.

Materials

cotton fabric for front of mask (main fabric)
cotton fabric for back of mask (contrast fabric)
1/4” wide elastic cord, ribbon or extra fabric for strings
cotton thread

Tools

scissors
rotary cutter, cutting mat and acrylic ruler
cotton thread
safety pin
sewing machine
steam iron

Instructions

Step 1: Cut Fabric and Elastic

Cut 1 piece of main fabric for the front of the mask 7’H x 10”W.
Cut 1 piece of contrast fabric for the back of the mask 7"Hx10"W (it's best to use a different color for the back so you can distinguish the front of the mask from the back of the mask)
Cut elastic 36” long - or - cut ribbon 48” long if you want the elastic/ribbon to go around the head. Cut two pieces of elastic 8-9" long if you want the elastic to only go over the ears.

Step 2: Press

Lay the main fabric face down and fold 1/4” along one of the long edges toward the wrong side and press in place.
Lay the contrast fabric face down and fold 1/4" along one of the long edges toward the wrong side and press in place.
Stitch 1/8" from folded edge of each piece. This will be the TOP of the face mask.

Step 3: Sew Lining to Main Fabric

With right sides together, begin sewing from what will be the top of the face mask, using 1/4" seam allowance and leaving a 3" opening in the middle (where you will insert the removable filter), along the folded edges of the fabric.
Sew all the way around the mask, making sure you leave a 3" opening in the top of the face mask. Turn mask right side out.

Step 4: Make Pleats

After you turn the mask right side out, press flat.
Make sure the opening is at the top of the mask. Measure down about 1" from the top of the mask and make a 1/2" pleat. Pin in place. Do the same along the other edge. Making sure the pleats are going in the same downward direction.
Make two more 1/2" pleats that are approximately 1" apart and pin in place. You should have three pleats that are all folded in the same direction.
Press the pleats in place and remove the pins/clips. Sew a 1/4" seam along each pleated edge to hold the pleats in place.

Step 5: Make the Casing

Fold the sides (short edges with the pleats) over 1/2" and pin in place. Sew close to the edge of each fold, making sure to allow plenty of room to insert elastic or ribbon into the casing. HINT: I like to insert my elastic BEFORE I sew the casing seams. Just be sure to not catch any of your elastic or ribbon in your seam. It saves an extra step. If you do this, you can skip step 6.

Step 6: Insert Elastic

Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic or ribbon, insert pin from the top of the casing opening and push the pin through the casing.
Then insert the same pin in the bottom of the casing opening on the other edge of the mask, working the pin through the opening.
If using elastic, the loose ends of the elastic should both be on the same sides (top or bottom) of the mask. Overlap the ends of the elastic and sew with a zig-zag stitch. Trim any loose ends of the elastic and thread.
If using ribbon, the tail ends of the ribbon should be at the top of the face mask.

Notes

Be sure to use 100% cotton fabric for both the front and back of the mask. Additionally, you should use a different color of fabric for the back so that the person wearing the mask can easily tell the difference between the front and the back. And, as always, your fabrics should be pre-washed, dried, and pressed before beginning this project.