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    Home » DIY Projects

    Make a Headband that Doubles as a Mask

    May 13, 2020 by Patti Estep 38 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Headband and face mask in one

    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.

    Bird printed headband

    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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    Rectangular piece of fabric

    How to Make a Headband Face Mask

    Start with a piece of fabric 20 x 6 inches.

    Overcast edge of fabric

    Use an overcast or zigzag stitch to finish the edges. If you have a nice knit you may not need to finish the edge.

    Fabric folded in half lengthwise with wrong sided together

    Next, fold the fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.

    fabric folded toward middles

    Then open it and fold each side toward the middle, overlapping slightly.

    Edge of fabric folded and pressed

    Press the short edge over about 1/2 inch.

    Elastic placed on one edge.

    Set a 3-inch piece of elastic (1/2 inch wide) on the pressed edge in the middle.

    Elastic inserted into one edge with fabric folded over.

    Then fold over each side on top of the elastic. Sew in place.

    Inserted elastic in other end of headband

    Next, take the other end of the elastic and repeat the process on the other side of the headband.

    Finish headband mask

    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

    Woman wearing a headband

    You can wear this folded just like a normal headband.

    Headband open to create a face mask on woman's face.

    To use it as a mask simply open out the headband.

    Woman wearing open wide version of 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.

    Patti signature
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    Headband Mask

    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.
    Active Time30 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Sewing
    Yield: 1
    Author: Patti Estep

    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.

    Notes

    If you are using a nice sturdy stretch 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.
    Some people are saying that this kind of mask is not effective for protecting oneself. I'm not a doctor or scientist so I'll leave that decision up to you.

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim Gibson

      January 05, 2021 at 8:17 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        January 05, 2021 at 8:21 am

        Wow, what a great modification. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

        Reply
    2. Tina

      August 25, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      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 😊

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 26, 2020 at 8:38 am

        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.

        Reply
    3. Luliejay

      August 10, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        August 11, 2020 at 7:45 am

        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.

        Reply
        • SandyLee

          September 06, 2020 at 10:15 pm

          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

          September 07, 2020 at 7:32 am

          Thanks Sandy.

    4. MzRed

      July 29, 2020 at 9:35 pm

      This is genius. We were just wondering what our kids will do with their masks during lunch or recess. This is a perfect idea.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 30, 2020 at 7:01 am

        Glad you like it. It's a hard time for kids.

        Reply
    5. Angie stanforth

      July 25, 2020 at 5:03 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 26, 2020 at 6:23 am

        I'm glad you like it Angie and thanks for the suggestions.

        Reply
    6. dawn

      July 21, 2020 at 3:25 pm

      Can you use a cotton fabric I have a lot of scraps from quilting Thank you

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 21, 2020 at 3:30 pm

        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.

        Reply
    7. Judy Seaman

      July 18, 2020 at 11:05 am

      Great idea, and clear directions and photos. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 19, 2020 at 6:00 am

        Thanks Judy. I'm glad you liked it.

        Reply
    8. Leslie Vance

      July 16, 2020 at 1:43 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 16, 2020 at 1:51 pm

        Yes, that's a great idea. Thanks for sharing Leslie.

        Reply
    9. kay

      June 30, 2020 at 12:01 am

      If you make it 6 inches wide, is that the finished width. Could you make it wider

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 30, 2020 at 7:01 am

        Kay, I think you can make it any size that works for you. My dimensions are just a starting point.

        Reply
      • Hope Peralta

        July 18, 2020 at 12:54 am

        I love it, if possible can a filter pocket can be added? Any suggestion or tips.
        Hope

        Reply
        • Patti Estep

          July 18, 2020 at 6:30 am

          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.

    10. Carrie

      June 13, 2020 at 8:47 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 14, 2020 at 6:53 am

        Thanks Carrie. I guess that's where the saying great minds think alike. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Madeline

      June 06, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you so much! Your directions were great & easy! 💞

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 06, 2020 at 4:16 pm

        I'm so glad you like it Madeline. Thanks for letting me know.

        Reply
    12. TIEL FORREST

      May 31, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 01, 2020 at 6:56 am

        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. 

        Reply
    13. Diana

      May 30, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      Pretty doggone ingenious! Yep, time to make this one, too, and add to my growing stash.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 31, 2020 at 6:30 am

        Thanks Diana, I have a growing stash too. 🙂

        Reply
      • Elisabeth

        June 14, 2020 at 12:56 pm

        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?

        Reply
        • Patti Estep

          June 14, 2020 at 1:50 pm

          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.

    14. Susan

      May 26, 2020 at 7:14 pm

      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!

      Reply
    15. Kate

      May 17, 2020 at 7:11 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 17, 2020 at 8:09 am

        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. 

        Reply
    16. Jody

      May 16, 2020 at 3:52 am

      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.

      Reply
    17. MrsSW

      May 15, 2020 at 11:22 am

      Brilliant! Thank you, Patti. 🙂

      Sheila

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 15, 2020 at 2:06 pm

        Thanks Sheila! I'm so glad you like it.

        Reply

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