This headband mask is an easy beginner sewing project that allows you to use the final product as a headband or a simple face mask.
I was thinking about the neck gaiters that people are wearing as a mask. I even ordered a few for my family. It occurred to me that you could make one pretty easily. However, I did not have any good knit fabric in my stash, So I decided to make a headband that could double as a face mask.
Safety Disclaimer:
Some people say that this kind of loose mask is not effective for protecting oneself. I'm not a doctor or scientist and make no claims to the effectiveness of this simple craft. I'll leave it up to you the reader to decide what is right for you.
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How to Make a Headband Face Mask
Start with a piece of fabric 20 x 6 inches.
Use an overcast or zigzag stitch to finish the edges. If you have a nice knit you may not need to finish the edge.
Next, fold the fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.
Then open it and fold each side toward the middle, overlapping slightly.
Press the short edge over about 1/2 inch.
Set a 3-inch piece of elastic (1/2 inch wide) on the pressed edge in the middle.
Then fold over each side on top of the elastic. Sew in place.
Next, take the other end of the elastic and repeat the process on the other side of the headband.
If you are using a nice sturdy knit. You could probably get away with not using any elastic.
In that case, just fold over the edges without the elastic and then sew them together with right sides facing and sew in place. Similar to the sweater headband I made last year.
How to Wear the Headband Mask
You can wear this folded just like a normal headband.
To use it as a mask simply open out the headband.
You can also go from using it as a mask and then you can pull it straight up and wear it as a wide turban-like headband.
Just another easy beginner sewing project that you can try.
Make one for yourself and maybe a few for your friends and family.
Headband Mask
Equipment
- sewing machine
- scissors
Materials
- Fabric - 20 x 6 inches
- Elastic cord 1/4 inch wide and about 3 inches in length.
Instructions
- Cut a piece of fabric 20 x 6 inches.
- Use an overcast or zigzag stitch to finish the edges.
- Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.
- Open it and fold each side toward the middle, overlapping slightly.
- Press the short edge over about 1/2 inch.
- Set a 3-inch piece of elastic (1/2 inch wide) on the pressed edge in the middle.
- Fold over each side on top of the elastic and sew in place.
- Take the other end of the elastic and repeat the process on the other side of the headband.
Kim Gibson
Great tutorial, well written and the step outs were great! I used a double layer of good heavy knit, iron on inserted weft interfacing for a liner, and sewed a bit of aluminum foil I cut from a pan (don't try to use regular foil on a roll) and folded to protect from cutting, and it worked a charm! Snug to the nose, good filter, double duty, what's not to love!
Patti Estep
Wow, what a great modification. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Tina
I, too, thought it was a great idea so I chose a pretty heavy knit. Unfortunately, as a headband it worked great but when converted to mask I could feel my breath going through it, so it didn’t work for me. Also, I have now read that the neck gaiter styles are very low on the safety scale. Thanks for the idea, but guess I’ll go back to making the masks with a filter pocket. Keep inventing 😊
Patti Estep
Yes, Tina, it seems as though thoughts on this pandemic are always changing. I guess that's part of the new norm. At least you now have a new headband so it wasn't a total waste. I'll let you know if I come up with anything new.
Luliejay
Yikes. Touching a potentially COVID face or head covering after wearing it is strongly discouraged so the virus is not transferred from one part of the body to another. A nice idea but not in practice.
Patti Estep
Luliejay, you bring up a good point. This is a very difficult and controversial time. I'm not an authority. It is just an idea. I leave it up to the readers to do their research and decide for themselves what is right for them.
SandyLee
Very good point. For me I have no problem. I don't want anyone touching my head or hair and don't see why they would do that. I love the simplicity of this project. With this idea there are times I walk out of the house not having a mask like taking out the garbage and run into the neighbor. There you go. Mask on my head for unexpecting moments.
Patti Estep
Thanks Sandy.
MzRed
This is genius. We were just wondering what our kids will do with their masks during lunch or recess. This is a perfect idea.
Patti Estep
Glad you like it. It's a hard time for kids.
Angie stanforth
So simple and easy. Thank you. You could add a filter like kitchen towel or a coffee filter inside. Also stretch cotton fabric works really well. I am going to make it with double the thickness. Looks so comfortable. Thank you very much.
Patti Estep
I'm glad you like it Angie and thanks for the suggestions.
dawn
Can you use a cotton fabric I have a lot of scraps from quilting Thank you
Patti Estep
Dawn, cotton doesn't stretch much but the elastic should help. You may find that you need more elastic or you might need to make the length a bit longer. I haven't tried it but I do think it's worth a try. Let me know how it turns out.
Judy Seaman
Great idea, and clear directions and photos. Thanks!
Patti Estep
Thanks Judy. I'm glad you liked it.
Leslie Vance
Thank you, this is perfect for hiking. I can wear it on my head and just pull it down when I encounter any other hikers. Great idea!
Patti Estep
Yes, that's a great idea. Thanks for sharing Leslie.
kay
If you make it 6 inches wide, is that the finished width. Could you make it wider
Patti Estep
Kay, I think you can make it any size that works for you. My dimensions are just a starting point.
Hope Peralta
I love it, if possible can a filter pocket can be added? Any suggestion or tips.
Hope
Patti Estep
Hope, I'm not sure if you could add a filter pocket. Perhaps if you used a thin material you could double it up and have one of the edges open for a filter to slip in before folding but then it might be hard to remove. Let me know if you try it.
Carrie
Great idea. One of my sisters and I was just talking a few weeks ago about making some of these. It's amazing how people can be in different places and have the same ideas. I am always making hair accessories. I even used one that I already had on hand.
Patti Estep
Thanks Carrie. I guess that's where the saying great minds think alike. 🙂
Madeline
Thank you so much! Your directions were great & easy! 💞
Patti Estep
I'm so glad you like it Madeline. Thanks for letting me know.
TIEL FORREST
You used a knit material to make headband correct? I am getting ready to make a neck gaiter myself. Eight hours in a N95 is unbearable. Need something different for woek.
Patti Estep
Tiel, the material I used a scrap of flannel. It did have some stretch. However, as I mentioned a knit would be perfect for this application. You may not even need the elastic depending on the stretch.
Diana
Pretty doggone ingenious! Yep, time to make this one, too, and add to my growing stash.
Patti Estep
Thanks Diana, I have a growing stash too. 🙂
Elisabeth
We made the headband/mask with the 20 inch material. It was too small for my bid head :). I made it 24 inches then the mask was too big. Do you have any suggestions on how I can adjust it to fit?
Patti Estep
Elisabeth, you could try adding a little more elastic instead of increasing the fabric. Also, try folding some old fabric and fit it around your head to get an idea of the size you need. Keep in mind a little extra for seam allowances.
Susan
What a great idea! I haven't been able to get into my hairdresser & businesses in my area are requiring masks to enter. Two birds with one stone!
Kate
I think we might need 2. One to cover the mouth and another to spread over the grey roots. Lol I keep a package of coffee filters (basket style) in my car so I can pop that into the mask before going out for extra protection.
Patti Estep
Kate, that's too funny. I tried to color my hair a few weeks ago but it didn't really do a good job on the grey. Good tip about the coffee filters too.
Jody
I love the bird material. I am very tired of these masks we have to wear but one that can be a headband. Now that works.
MrsSW
Brilliant! Thank you, Patti. 🙂
Sheila
Patti Estep
Thanks Sheila! I'm so glad you like it.