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Easy No Sew Mask from Leggings

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Here we are with yet another face mask how-to, but this one is no sew and so EASY! You can make this one with smaller scraps of knit; you can even make this no sew mask from leggings.

If you have other knit – particularly knit with cotton in it – that will be easier to breathe through.  The leggings fabric will work if it is all you have available.  I like this no sew method because you can put a piece of filter material between the two layers.  Without a filter, the mask isn’t really providing the kind of protection that you’re looking for and it defeats the purpose of wearing the mask to begin with.  Use a piece of flannel or tightly woven quilters cotton between your mask layers as a filter or purchase these super nifty filters through my affil link here.
Watch the video to see how easy it is to make this no sew ear loop mask – you can see it’s even easier when you use leggings!
Download the free pattern piece for this No Sew Face Mask here.

Step 1: Download the free pattern piece for this No Sew Face Mask by clicking here.
Step 2: Cut two pieces of fabric from the pattern on the fold of the fabric.  Stretch in the fabric should be going left to right.

Step 3: Cut slits in the sides of the fabric mask pieces according to the pattern.

Step 4: Sandwich filter between the two layers of mask fabric.

Step 5: Lift mask over nose and mouth; twist side loops over ears to secure.

Face Mask Sewing Resources

Still working on sewing fabric face masks? Find the right pattern and supplies in these posts.

Face Mask Pattern Options and Supplies

No Sew Cloth Face Mask from a T-shirt

Fast and Easy Serger Face Mask

How to Make a Homemade Face Mask without Elastic and with Filter Pocket

And have you seen THIS HILARIOUS DIY FACE MASK SEWING PARODY????  It is THE BEST!

 

No Sew Cloth Face Mask from a T-shirt

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With the rising need for extra caution, self-monitoring, and safety practices, more people are looking toward face mask alternatives for everyday use.  Based on anticipated recommendations from the CDC, I would urge anyone who is able, to sew a homemade face mask. However, for those who cannot sew, I have created a really simple No Sew cloth face mask that you can make from any t-shirt in your home – you can then insert a piece of tightly woven fabric like flannel or quilting cotton to create a less porous barrier.

Watch the video and then read on for printable instructions and detailed steps:

man wearing blue face mask, blue t-shirt, and text overlay

You can even tuck a pipe cleaner up around the top edge and to help shape the mask around your face. Elastic is not needed (it’s not needed for my sewn mask tutorial either). This is a functional alternative for covering your nose and mouth while still being able to breathe easily.

finished pink, no sew face mask with rubber bands and fabric in the background and text overlay

Download a printable set of instructions for this No Sew Face Mask by clicking here.

How to Make a No Sew Face Mask

Time needed: 5 minutes.

How To Make a No Sew Face Mask from a T-shirt

  1. Gather Supplies

    To make this no sew cloth face mask, you will need the following supplies:
    1. 100% cotton knit t-shirt
    2. scissors (fabric scissors are great)
    3. 2 rubber bands, loom bands, or elastic hair ties (thinner smaller bands work best)
    4. a square of flannel, quilting cotton, or other non-porous material to use as a filter
    5. optional filters for the mask –  filters are available here –> https://amzn.to/348TVI9 affil

  2. Wash and dry the t-shirt and set it out in front of you.

    bright pink tank top

  3. Cut off bottom band and sleeves.

    Cut straight across to remove the bottom band from the t-shirt. Repeat straight across under the arms so that you’re left with a uniform tube of fabric.bright pink tank top cut into three sections

  4. Open up fabric.

    Cut straight up the center of the FRONT (or BACK) of the t-shirt, but do not cut through both layers.white scissors cutting pink tank top fabric

  5. Form rectangle.

    Fold out the two sides so that you have one rectangle of fabric.pink fabric

  6. Form tube.

    Fold the rectangle in thirds along the horizontal line.pink t-shirt fabric folded

  7. Form mask shape.

    Slip one small band over each end and adjust them to pinch the fabric forming a “front” and “sides” to the mask.rubber bands, loom bands and folded pink fabric

  8. Adjust width of face mask area.

    Hold the fabric up to your face and adjust the placement of the bands so that they hit at your side cheeks, just inside your ears.pink t-shirt folded and banded with arrow graphic

  9. Form Ties

    Time to cut the fabric to form stretchy ties/straps. Cut from the outer edge of each side, in toward the bands.  Leave about 1″ doubled fabric on the top and the bottom.white scissors, elastic bands, and pieces of pink tank top

  10. Cut excess fabric.

    Cut the inner area completely away from the mask.  Since you are using a cotton knit, the cut edges are not going to fray.white scissors next to fabric strips

  11. Adjust the length of the straps.

    You can now adjust the length of the “straps” to tie behind your head and neck. You can even cut the straps shorter and then tie the top to the bottom to make little loops to go around your ears. Open up the little pocket formed from the trifold to insert a piece of heavy cotton or flannel.  The t-shirt material is wonderful for stretch and no sew, but not as effective as a barrier on its own.

  12. Add filter and/or nose shaping piece.

    You’re all done! You can now tuck a filter material inside for extra protection. Just open up the folds, place the filter, and refold. finished pink, no sew face mask with rubber bands and fabric in the background

How To Use a No Sew T-shirt Face Mask

Friends, let’s use common sense.  This is not the mask to make for your local hospitals or nurse friends.  This is simply a way to create a face covering to encourage social distancing and remind yourself and others not to touch faces, mouths, or noses. It’s not going to hurt to wear a face mask. If you’re procuring supplies to sew a mask or unable to access elastic or pre-made masks, this is a really easy option that almost anyone can utilize.

Homemade Face Masks – Sewn and Serged Versions

There is a video and free pattern download available for a sewn face mask without elastic and with a filter pocket. Please visit the Homemade Face Mask Video and Pattern here.

Cat Pattern on pink face mask on grey and white sewing cut mat

If you have a serger, you can make THIS Serger Face Mask in 5-minutes! There is a video tutorial included here as well. It also includes tips for making masks assembly line style for maximum speed and efficiency!

finished serged newsprint fabric mask on wood plank background with text overlay

Please visit the CDC website for accurate and up to date information regarding the use and recommendations of face masks, filters, and safety measures.

No-Sew Blankets

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Today, Olivia and I are going to share a quick no-sew project with you.  These no-sew fleece blankets have been around for quite a while, but I had forgotten about them until I took Olivia into the fabric store with me and she spent our entire visit with her body plastered up against the fleece aisle.  There wasn’t a chance in the world that we were leaving without some in our shopping bag.  This is a great project for non-sewers or for children.  Olivia did the blanket over the Thanksgiving break and it was the perfect activity for a lazy morning.  
How To:
 Purchase two pieces of fleece.  Since the fabric was 56″ wide, I had the store cut both pieces to 56″ long, giving me two perfect squares.  
Clear a large work area and lay out your two pieces of fleece stacked on top of one another.  Trim the selvage edges and any overhang so that both pieces are exactly the same size.  I then folded my stacked square in half so that I could cut through four pieces at once and decrease the work. 
 Cut a square out of each corner.  I measured 3″ by 3″.  Then, make evenly spaced cuts all the way around your stacked square (if you folded your square in half, you’ll be cutting through four sheets of fleece at once; do not cut along the folded side).  I made my slits 3 inches deep and 1 inch apart.
 Once your slits are cut all the way around (unfold if folded in half), begin tying knots to join the top strip to the bottom strip.  That is IT!  
Tie all the way around and the blanket is done.  
Have fun! 
Also, I added a button to the quiet book sew along announcement for purchasing the “paper dolls” and clothes to go in the book.  I’ll be back soon with a couple pictures of the finished quiet book and a list of supplies so you can start preparing! 

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