Face Mask in the hoop

In-The-Hoop Face Mask Instructions

This tutorial is for creating a reusable and washable face mask with the option to insert a protective filter.

A collection of finished, decorated in-the-hoop face masks in various sizes and designs.

There is also an option to include an additional filter fabric inside. Please research and choose the appropriate fabric type for protection, as not all fabrics offer the same level of safety. You can also use any fabric to make this mask as a supplementary face covering.

For more information, here are some guidelines from the CDC regarding face masks:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html#crisis-capacity

Sizing Information

Finished Mask Sizes (Height x Width, in cm):

Size XS (Kids): 12 cm x 23 cm
Size S (Teens): 13 cm x 23.5 cm
Size M (Ladies): 14 cm x 24.5 cm
Size L (Men): 15 cm x 28 cm
Size XL (Men): 16.5 cm x 29 cm

Tip: The fabric pieces do not need to be cut to the exact sizes listed below; measurements can vary by up to 1 cm.

Fabric Cutting Guide (Height x Width, in cm):

Diagram showing the three fabric pieces required for the face mask.

Size XS:

Front piece: 15.5 cm x 26.5 cm
Back piece (Top Lining): 24 cm x 26.5 cm
Back piece (Bottom Lining): 12 cm x 26.5 cm

Size S:

Front piece: 16.5 cm x 27.5 cm
Back piece (Top Lining): 26.5 cm x 27.5 cm
Back piece (Bottom Lining): 13.5 cm x 27.5 cm

Size M:

Front piece: 20.5 cm x 30.5 cm
Back piece (Top Lining): 34.5 cm x 30.5 cm
Back piece (Bottom Lining): 17 cm x 30.5 cm

Size L:

Front piece: 19 cm x 32 cm
Back piece (Top Lining): 31.5 cm x 32 cm
Back piece (Bottom Lining): 15.5 cm x 32 cm

Size XL:

Front piece: 19 cm x 33 cm
Back piece (Top Lining): 31.5 cm x 33 cm
Back piece (Bottom Lining): 16 cm x 33 cm

Elastic Cutting Guide (in cm):

Elastic can be made to go around the head or over the ears.

Size XS:

Around the head: 18 cm (upper) and 15.5 cm (bottom)
Over the ears: Two pieces, each 11.5 cm

Size S:

Around the head: 19 cm (upper) and 16.5 cm (bottom)
Over the ears: Two pieces, each 13 cm

Size M:

Around the head: 24.5 cm (upper) and 21.5 cm (bottom)
Over the ears: Two pieces, each 15.5 cm

Size L:

Around the head: 27 cm (upper) and 23 cm (bottom)
Over the ears: Two pieces, each 17 cm

Size XL:

Around the head: 28 cm (upper) and 24.5 cm (bottom)
Over the ears: Two pieces, each 18 cm

Additional Supplies:

Tear-away or wash-away stabilizer
Scissors, tape, and pins

Embroidery Instructions

The embroidery design has three main color stops that construct the face mask:

The entire mask dieline.
Elastic tack-down.
The entire mask finishing outline.

Embroidery design file for the face mask.

The number of color stops may vary depending on the decorative elements. Decorations are additional color steps, so please find the separate color chart for the exact mask design you purchased to follow along.

A color chart for a specific decorative face mask design.

Step 1: Stitch the Front

Hoop a tear-away or water-soluble stabilizer and lay the front piece of fabric in the center.

Front fabric piece placed over stabilizer in an embroidery hoop.

Embroider the mask outline (Color 1) to tack down the fabric so it stays flat while stitching the decoration. Tip: Use a thread color that matches your mask fabric to prevent it from showing through.

Finish stitching any decorative elements on the mask. For any design, pause the machine before the last two color stops.

Decorative embroidery completed on the front of the mask.

Pause your project, but do not unhoop it. It is now time to add the elastics and lining.

Step 2: Add Elastics and Lining

Tape the elastics in the corners, making sure they will stay inside the mask area while stitching.

Elastics taped into the corners of the mask design.

Stitch the next color stop (Color 2) to tack down the elastics.

Lining:

Take the larger lining piece and fold it in half horizontally with wrong sides together, so the right side is facing out.

The larger lining piece folded in half.

Lay the folded fabric piece with the open folded edge against the guideline shown below.

Positioning the folded lining piece on the project.

The folded edge should be positioned slightly above the bottom dart point.

The top lining piece correctly placed on the mask.

Next, take the smaller lining piece and lay it along the bottom edge, with its upper cut edge positioned slightly below the upper dart point. To find the dart point, you may need to use a pin to track its location.

Positioning the smaller bottom lining piece.

Using a pin to mark the dart location for accurate placement.

Carefully fold back the top lining piece and use a pin to mark the dart point.

Marking the upper dart point with a pin.

Lay the smaller lining piece right side down, ensuring its top edge is just below the marked upper dart point.

The bottom lining piece correctly placed, right side down.

Tip: The fabric pieces do not need to be laid in the exact place; their position can vary by up to 1 cm.

Secure the lining pieces with tape or pins to keep them flat, and stitch the final outline seam.

Both lining pieces taped in place, ready for the final seam.

Step 3: Finishing

Unhoop your project, cut out the shape along the final stitch line with a seam allowance of about 0.7 cm (it can be wider on the sides), and gently tear away the excess stabilizer.

The mask cut out from the hoop, with seam allowance.