Low-Poly Mask: A Free 3D Folded Mask Pattern and Tutorial
There’s lots of different mask options out there and one of our favorites is the 3D/Folded mask style. This style stands away from your face which makes it a little easier to breath and talk (no mask falling down while talking and no chapped lips!). It also fits nicely on a variety of nose shapes, goes well under glasses, and fits snugly under the chin. Rebecca developed the pattern herself and we have it available free to download here with the instructions here.
We also made some of our own masks with a variety of tie options and have shown you here how to do it in 3 ways: with continuous head tie, removable ear loops (great for maintaining your elastic!), and adjustable ear loop ties (keep your mask around your neck!).
Face mask with continuous loop tie
Face mask with adjustable ear loops
Face mask with elastic ear loops
You can get 2, 2-layer masks from one fat quarter (18”x22”) of cotton fabric. We recommend the use of light-mid weight fuseable interfacing to help the mask hold its shape (not as a filtering layer). You can add a third layer if you want to use a thinner or lighter weight fabric on the outside.
After you have your pattern printed and fabric cut, it’s time to decide which tie style you want.
The “continuous loop” style gives you the fit of 2 sets of ties with only needing to tie one! It also hangs around your neck great for riding in the car. The tie can be removed for washing so it doesn’t get tangled, or else it’s recommended to wash the mask in a laundry bag.
The “elastic ear loop” style is your typical over the ear elastic loops. Our loops are drawn through a channel, so you can remove or replace them if needed - great because elastic breaks down quickly in hot temperatures when washing or drying.
The “adjustable ear loop” style combines the over the ear fit with the adjust-ability of ties, and is worn with the loops fitted over the ears then the tie tied behind your neck. This allows you to let the mask hang around your neck in the car, etc.
If you choose to use the adjustable ear loop method, you first have to prep by basting your tie and loop to the front of the mask. Cut your ribbon into two long and 2 short (about 2”) pieces. Fold the short pieces in half and pin to the lower notch on each side. Pin the long pieces to the top notch. Baste the loops in place at a scant 1/2” seam allowance. Fold up the ties and pin them to the middle of the mask to keep them out of the way.
Pin straps on top notch and loops below
Baste at scant 1/2” seam allowance
Gather ties in middle
Pin ties out of way of stitching line
After your front piece is prepped and your interfacing is applied to the lining or interlining (trim the seam allowance off your interfacing if it is a heavier weight), place your face and lining pieces right sides together. If you are using a third piece, place it on top of the lining wrong sides together. Pin the layers together if you feel the need.
Cut 1 face, 1-2 lining, and 1 interfacing
Trim seam allowance off interfacing if it is heavier
For a third layer, place wrong sides together with lining
If you’re using the adjustable ear loop ties, go ahead and stitch all the way around the mask at 1/2” seam allowance, leaving a 2” gap on one of the long sides to turn the mask right side out. Clip corners.
If you are using elastic or continuous loop ties, stitch along the short sides at 1/2” between dots, backstitching at each end. Then stitch along the angled and long sides between the dots, again backstitching and remembering to leave a 2” gap to turn the mask on one of the long sides. The gaps between the dots where you did not stitch will leave a channel for you to insert the ties later. Clip corners.
Turn your mask out through the gap left in stitching. If you’re doing 3 layers, make sure to turn out through the gap between the face and lining. Turn in seam allowances of the gap and press flat.
If you are making a mask with adjustable ear loops, the ties will now be coming out the side seam. If you are making a mask with a continuous loop or elastic ear loops, there will be a small gap left for you to eventually thread those through.
Now it’s time to topstitch. If you are doing a mask with adjustable ear loops, go ahead and topstitch all the way around the mask at 1/16”. If you are making a mask with a continuous loop tie or elastic ear loops, topstitch down the short sides at 1/16”. Then topstitch along the angled and long sides between dots. If you don’t have the dot marked anymore, it’s located 1/2” away from the short edge. Consider having some fun with decorative top stitching!
Almost done, it’s time for the folding. Measure and fold each long edge towards the center by 2”. Press these folds in place.
Now topstitch across the folded mask roughly 1.25” away from the short side. It may differ due to turn of cloth depending on the fabric you used, but generally stitch parallel to the short side 1/4” away from where the two folded edges cross.
This is where the folding seems complicated but once it clicks it’s really easy! Wiggle your fingers in-between the two folded edges to start to open back up the fold. Continue to pull these folds back as you fold the mask the opposite way (hamburger instead of hot dog), matching the short edges. Your long sides should be pulled back all the way from the stitching holding the first fold in place. Press this fold.
If you used adjustable ear loops, thread your long ties down through the loops you made and you’re done!
If you used elastic loops, thread the elastic down through the channel you have left open. Tie knots in the elastic and rotate into the channel.
For a continuous loop, thread both ends of one long tie up through each channel. This will leave a loop on the bottom and ties at the top. The loop is worn at the base of your neck with the ties tied above your ears.
Your face mask is now complete! If desired, a filter can be tucked inside the corners on the inside of the mask. If you make this and share on instagram, tag us @msjennmakes and/or @msrebeccamakes using #lowpolyfacemask.
