How to Make a Mask WITHOUT Elastic

Thanks to the outpouring of support from the sewing community in the effort to make masks, elastic is now hard to come by. The four main distributors to quilt shops in the U.S. are all out and it is going to be a bit before they can get more.

So I created this video to show you how to convert ANY mask pattern that uses elastic into one that uses ties. The first half goes through the steps you need to take to convert the standard surgical style mask from elastic to ties.

The second goes over how to do it on an N95-style mask that has a a curved top and pocket for a filter. The second half starts at 12:40.

Just a reminder that your best defense against the COVID-19 is to STAY HOME! But if healthcare workers and caregivers are asking for these in your community, then please do what you can and make a mask.

Here are links to the original patterns I followed in this tutorial. Please visit their websites to get the printed instructions:
Surgical Style Mask from Deaconess: https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask
Mask with Replaceable Filter Pocket from Sewing Therapy: https://sewingtherapy.net/diy-mask-with-a-replaceable-filter/

Here is a link to a database of agencies that are asking for masks: https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask/Mask-Donations

If you need twist ties to use as a makeshift nosepiece, you can order them for free with a shipping charge from us at this link: https://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/twist-tie-for-medical-mask-nose-clip-alternative/

If you want a bias tape maker, we have some in stock and are ordering more. You can get them at this link: https://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/bias-tape-maker-1-inch/

And if you need twist ties, we have plenty and can get more, so just leave a note at checkout with how many you need for mask making and we’ll ship them with your order free of charge. You do need to make an order for a physical product if you do this. We don’t see the notes on orders for digital products.

Stay safe and Happy Quilting!

Check out more from Quilt Addicts Anonymous …
Blog/tutorials: https://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com
Online quilt shop: https://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com
Brick and mortar quilt shop: Quilt Addicts Anonymous, 3416 46th Ave., Suite 103, Rock Island, IL 61201
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Music: Strong and Courageous – Rangecroft from Epidemic Sound

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Comment (39)

  1. Hello,
    Thanks for sharing my pattern and helping those who doesn’t have elastic to make one for themselves and their families!

    I just shared your blog posting both on my blog and youtube vidio description as well.

    Stay safe and healthy!

  2. Aloha, if anyone has a fitted sheet in the linen closet that’s damaged or “just a dog”, there’s elastic in the surround going around the sheet! The casing of sheet around the elastic can remain intact,

  3. Hi – Many thanks for the cone mask with binding. I spent most of today searching for elastic ALSO bias binding which is a sad state along with the elastic. Love the large mask with the 1/2” binding but forget where you said to cut off the seam allowances. Can’t find it in the video either. Pls help as my local hospital is asking for masks. Thank you for your help and great videos. Pat

    1. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge at a critical time in our history. Is there a straight of Grain on the pattern? Do you cut 4 of the original pattern to make 2 constructions Front and back) that insert into each other? What size do you cut the filter? Thank you so much again! I sent myself the link from your YouTube page for the pattern.💕

  4. If I could please have 25 nose clips for mask, I would appreciate it very much.
    1015 Whitehead Rd, Sugar Hill, GA 30519

  5. Thin hair and elastic works great too. I got mine at Dollar Tree. Thr sewing machine runs over this elastic with more ease.

  6. Thank you for this timely video and your easy to follow directions. I am a beginner/intermediate quilt but love to do things to help those in need if I can. If you have any of the nose strips left I would like 25 please for Assisted Living next door. Thank you again and God Bless you. for

  7. This pattern that a filter can be inserted into looks great! It looks a bit more challenging but I think it will be better for our nurses and doctors. Our hospital is asking for them. I don’t want to get too zealous so I think I can make 10 if you are able to send me the nose “clips.” My address is 505 Barley Drive, Wyoming, Delaware 19934

  8. Could you please tell me where you got the thin metal pieces for sealing the masks over the nose? What are they called? I would like to search for some…they look to be just the ticket for all these masks we are making. If your generous offer to share them is still valid, I would love 25 of them. In the meantime, if I could find a source for them, I would also share them with as many mask makers as I could. Thanks in advance.

  9. Thank you for this tutorial! These masks are perfect for other health care providers such as dental assistants, podiatrists, physical therapists, etc. These people are for who I am making these! I’ve watched numerous videos and yours was the easiest, with the simplest pattern and least amount of materials! And I can’t even really sew!! (I borrowed my daughter’s sewing machine she left at my place.)

    One question: can these be machine washed and dried, or hand washed and hung to dry? My concern is the nose piece. It works wonderfully, so I don’t want it to break down.

  10. Today on the TODAY SHOW they showed how to make a mask with just material and elastics and said I
    could find it on Today Show.com, Where is it?

    1. I am not familiar with the Today Show masks. The two patterns we used for tutorials on can be found here
      Surgical Style Mask from Deaconess: https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask
      Mask with Replaceable Filter Pocket from Sewing Therapy: https://sewingtherapy.net/diy-mask-with-a-replaceable-filter/
      our tutorials for making the masks can be found here: : https://www.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/2020/03/how-to-make-a-mask-without-elastic/

    1. My local hospital is using HEPA vacuum bags as filters. We can’t speak to the effectiveness of other materials. But a study did find that high quality cotton with a high thread count, like the fabrics available at quilt shops performed as good as surgical masks or slightly better, testing in the range of 70 to 79 percent filtration. You can read more at this link: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html?searchResultPosition=1

  11. Thank You for sharing your information. If you still have the nose clips, could you please send me 100 of them. I have been making masks and will continue to make them as long as I can get something for the nose clips. Thank you in advance. I didn’t think it was good to post my address here, so please send me an email.

    1. You can order them for free with a small fee to cover shipping and handling at the link below. You MUST order on our website to receive them. We are not accepting orders placed via email due to the volume of requests. https://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/twist-tie-for-medical-mask-nose-clip-alternative/

      If the twist ties are listed as out of stock, please click on the black button that says “JOIN WAITLIST” to receive an email when more become available. We are able to get more, we are just getting the current batch shipped before listing more on the website. https://shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/twist-tie-for-medical-mask-nose-clip-alternative/

  12. I made a smaller pattern, based off of original pattern for the N95 version of cloth mask to use to trace out interfacing for the filter pocket. I was going to include a photo of the pattern I made, ( basically just followed top curve of original, and then shortened up bottom and sides), and pic one of my finished filter pockets. It works great and was so easy to iron in the interfacing. Gives extra protection without bulking the mask up. I used:Pellon 93?TD Fusible Midnight 22″ Interfacing white. I thought some others might want to use. Thanks for all your help. Stay safe. Kathy

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