It’s no secret the Spoonflower community has a knack for one-of-a-kind designs. From latte lovers to mod mavens, we love to see how your design choices help you express your personality. So, as masks became the must-have accessory of 2020, it came as no surprise that artists and makers started to let their face masks do the talking by choosing just the right design. Now it’s easier than ever to stay safe and share your personality with Spoonflower’s DIY Mask Kits. Featuring an easy to follow cut-and-sew template and enough elastic to make two double-layer cotton masks featuring the same design, you’ll be able to sew up two masks (DIY gift idea alert!) in under an hour. See how it’s done with our video tutorial below.
Choosing the Right Design for Your Mask
With so many talented artists in the Spoonflower Marketplace, you can find just the right design to express your personality on your mask. But before you add that design to your cart, be sure to double check the scale is small enough for a mask! If the design appears too large for your liking on the mask preview page, it will be too large once you create your mask!
In the example below, artist Vilmos Varga resized his design Giving Back to also offer a small-scale option for masks.
Pro tip: Add small scale to your keyword search to find an appropriately-scaled design.
There’s a (Mask) Design for That!
For the Reptile Obsessed 
For the Postal Worker 
For the Beach Bum 
For the Hair Stylist 
For the Socially Distanced 
For the Voter
How to Make a Custom Mask with Spoonflower’s DIY Mask Kit
Mask Materials
- DIY Mask Kit – we’re making a kit featuring Giving Back by vilmosvarga
- Sewing machine
- Fabric shears or rotary blade
- Seam gauge
- Pins or clips
- Iron and ironing board
Step 1. Prep Your Fabric
Prewash your DIY mask kit fabric with phosphate free detergent in cool water using a gentle or delicate machine cycle. Tumble dry on a low-heat setting and then iron the fabric on the unprinted side.
Cut the fabric along the outer lines of the template. Each piece should measure about 9.5″ x 11.5″ (24.1cm x 29.2).
Pro tip: Using the side notches, you can press the pleats in place now for easy reference at step 6. Unfold pleats for steps 1-5.
Step 2. Cut Your Elastic Straps
Note: While most kits are now shipping with elastic, if you have received a kit with twill tape, please click here for instructions.
For each mask, cut one 12″ (30.5cm) piece of elastic for the top and one 10″ (25.4cm) piece of elastic for the bottom.
Pro tip: Check your personal measurements before cutting the elastic. Mark 12″ (30.5cm) on the elastic and stretch from the side of your cheek, across your crown, to the opposite cheek. Adjust accordingly. Repeat for the lower strap by marking 10″ (25.4cm) on the elastic and stretching from your jaw, around the back of your neck, to your opposite side.
Sewing for someone else? Check the sizing recommendations below.
| Fabric Size | Elastic Measurements | |
| Adult | Cut full width & height | Top: 12″ Bottom: 10″ (30.5cm / 25.4cm) |
| Teen | Cut 8″ (20.3cm) wide & full height | Top: 11″ Bottom: 9″ (27.9cm / 22.9cm) |
| Child | Cut 7.5″ wide & 10″ tall (19.05cm & 30.5cm) | Top: 10″ Bottom: 8″ (30.5cm / 20.3cm) |
| Toddler | Cut 6.5″ wide & 10″ tall (16.5cm & 30.5cm) | Top: 10″ Bottom: 8″ (30.5cm / 20.3cm) |
Step 3. Sew the Top of the Mask Together
Fold the fabric in half right sides together so the printed face and blank lining meet, making sure to match the top and bottom edges.
On the top cut edge, sew from edge to the first notch with a ¼” (.6cm) seam allowance, backstitching at the notch. Repeat for the other side. This will leave the center unsewn and open for turning your mask right side out.
Step 4. Attach the Elastic
With the fabric still right sides together, place the elastic inside the fabric tube. The longer elastic should be pinned in place at the top of the side seams and the shorter elastic should be pinned in place at the bottom. (If your bottom elastic is shorter than the width of the mask, it will cause a slight fold on the bottom). The ends of the elastic will align with the edge of the fabric. Sew side seam with a ¼” (.6cm) seam allowance, backstitching at both ends. Repeat for the other side, making sure straps are not crossed.
Step 5. Turn the Mask Right Side Out and Edgestitch
Turn the mask right side out through the opening, using the straps to pull the corners into place. Press flat, making sure the seam allowance from the opening is pressed inside the mask.
Edge stitch at ⅛” (.3cm) on the top and bottom of the mask, backstitching at both ends. This will close the opening
Pro tip: Edgestitching your mask is easiest if you are easier if you flip the elastic towards the front of the mask.
Step 6. Create the Pleats
Fold two ½” (1.3cm) pleats, using notches for reference, across the width of the mask. Press the pleats toward the bottom. The mask should now measure roughly 9″ x 3″ (22cm x 7.6cm). Sew the pleats in place by stitching along the side at ¼” (.6cm) seam allowance, backstitching at both ends. Flip the elastic to the back and try on your mask!
Did you know Vote.org is driving awareness this election season while prioritizing your safety with Spoonflower’s custom face masks?
Learn more about it here!
I love the colours and the design. Thanks for the info!
I’m a little disappointed with the ‘kit’.
Thanks for sending these (very clear) instructions, but I do think they should have been supplied with the ‘kit’, or at least a link to find them. Also the instructions refer to inserting elastic, but mine came with non-stretchy cotton tape, so I will need to source my own elastic, as I find the tape unsuitable. Which makes this an expensive way of buying a small piece of fabric, with the only gain being that it’s got cutting lines marked on it. I’m sad because Spoonflower are normally so good.
Hi Michele,
I’m sorry to hear about your frustration. We try our best to include all relevant info on our product pages and while elastic is highlighted in this tutorial, the kits can also include twill tape based on the availability at the time. We’ve updated this post to include the instructions for the twill tape version. If you’d like to arrange a return for your kit you can fill out this form.
Take care,
Amy
Spoonflower
Thanks so much for these instructions – I ordered a number of swatches to sample fabrics, these are the perfect size to make these masks! (also bunting!)
cheers Bronwen
what material is used here and what is the thread count?
Hi Joanne, Thanks for your interest in our DIY mask kit! The kit uses our Perennial Sateen Grand which has a thread count of 300. I hope that helps but please let me know if you have any other questions.
Take care,
Amy
Spoonflower