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3D Clear Face Mask with REMOVABLE Window for the Deaf / Hard of Hearing

Do you know what can be unbelievably frustrating? When someone is talking to you and you have no idea what they are saying. Like talking with a foreigner who has a weird accent, or with someone who speaks way too fast.

For those who have hearing difficulties or rely on lip reading, there is no other way of understanding people who don’t know a sign language other than reading their lips.

Fortunately, there’s a solution to that issue! A mask that does its regular job but it also keeps your lips (and smile) visible. A reusable clear mask!

By using our clear face mask pattern and following our steps, you can easily and quickly make clear face masks for deaf people to read your lips through. Check out this short tutorial with VIDEO instructions to learn how to make a clear face mask in no time.

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How to make a clear face mask

Supplies and tools

DOWNLOAD: clear face mask pattern (Free PDF file)

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How To Sew a Face mask with a clear panel

Watch the diy see-through face mask video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

DIY 3d Clear Mask VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Prepare the pattern

Download the pattern and print it out on a piece of paper (print at 100% on US letter paper, don’t scale it!). Cut out all excess paper to prepare the pattern for use.

STEP 2: Cut the fabric

Start by cutting out the pieces that don’t require the use of your pattern. You will need two rectangles 5.5 x 4 inches big. The two small pieces will act as window lining while the two large pieces will be the main and lining fabrics.
Next, you will need two pieces cut out while using the pattern as a guideline. Don’t mind the rectangle opening in the middle for this step. Just cut out two octagonal shapes.

STEP 3: Transfer the clear window markings

In this step, you will be transferring the markings from the center of the pattern, onto the two octagonal fabric pieces. On their wrong sides.

Make sure to transfer both of the rectangles from the center of the pattern onto the fabric pieces.

STEP 4: Set the lining

Now it’s time to put the window lining on top of the main fabric piece. It needs to be centered so fold both fabrics twice and then unfold them. The two folding creases will form a cross, so just align the two crosses and everything will be centered.

When putting the lining piece on top of the main fabric one, make sure to put them right sides together. Pin everything in place or secure the fabrics with clips.

Repeat for the lining piece

STEP 5: Make the opening for the clear panel

Make a stitch following the lines of the outer marked rectangle in the center of the main fabric piece.

Then cut out the smaller rectangle with scissors or a rotary cutter, going through both layers of fabric. Make slits on all four corners of the inner rectangle. Try to keep the cuts as close to the seam as possible. Repeat for the lining piece

STEP 6: Make the clear window

Press the seams open and then push the lining through the opening, towards the wrong side of the fabric. Pin in place.

Topstitch around the edges of the opening to finish the opening. Repeat for the lining piece

STEP 7: Sew both main and lining together

Set one fabric piece on top of the other, keeping their right sides together. Pin everything in place. Make a stitch following the markings you just made. Sew through all layers.

STEP 8: Flip the fabric inside-out and sew it

Snip the corners and clip the curves to allow the fabric to lay flat. Then turn the whole thing inside-out. Push out the corners and press everything flat.

Sew around the fabric, leaving the two vertical edges unstitched. The ones on the right and the left side. Fold these raw edges about 1/4″ in.

STEP 9: (Optional) Insert nose wire

Push the nose wire through the window and stitch around it to keep it in place

STEP 10: Fold and sew

Fold the top edge and the bottom edge so that they meet in the middle.
Stitch along the two longest edges.

STEP 11: Fold to create a 3d shape

Pull one of the top corners to meet the upper edge at a 90 degree angle. It should look like a capital “N” and it will be parallel to the side edge.

Repeat for the other 3 corners. Doing that makes the mask pop up and stand on its own when placed on a top of a table.

STEP 12: Insert elastic

Insert the elastic through both side openings and pin in place.

STEP 13: Stitch two paralegal lines on both sides of the mask

Stitch the sides and the corners that create the 3d shape. These will be two parallel lines on each side of the mask.

Step 14: Insert the clear window

Clip the corners of your plastic sheet and insert it into the window, between the fabric layers. You can now wear your mask!

face mask with clear window

Did you like the tutorial? Try making a few of these clear face masks for teachers and tell us how it worked. Any feedback is appreciated! Stay safe and responsible!

That’s it your clear mask is ready

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 14 comments
Shelbee on the Edge - August 11, 2020

This is brilliant! I was just shopping the other day and I asked a store employee for help and she absolutely could not understand me and finally she explained that she had some hearing loss and it was very difficult for her to understand anyone speaking with a mask on. She had to finally direct me to someone else for help. But a mask like this would certainly help! Thanks for sharing and linking up.

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
    Helen - August 12, 2020

    This mask will certainly help! I had many readers ask me to come up with clear window mask with REMOVABLE panel. It makes it soo easy to wash with the rest of the laundry

    Reply
Karen, the next best thing to mummy - August 12, 2020

I have been struggling with understanding what people are saying when wearing a mask, so for anyone with hearing difficulty it must be a nightmare, this is a great idea #alittlebitofeverything@_karendennis

Reply
Laura - August 17, 2020

Just wondering, what type of clear vinyl do you use? Other instructions have suggested clear PVC tablecloth material (as it can be sewn on a machine), but is this too flimsy to be removable?

Reply
    Helen - August 18, 2020

    Hi Laura,
    I used a piece of a clear plastic sheet that is usually used for binding. It works great as a removable panel

    Reply
Suzanne - September 2, 2020

I’m a Duh sometimes. Where is the step to close the sides? Thanks,

Reply
    Helen - September 3, 2020

    No worries! You just fold the side edges in about 3/8″ and then stitch. The stitching is explained in step 13!

    Reply
Margaret Le Guerrier - September 11, 2020

how to download pattern thank you

Reply
    Helen - September 12, 2020

    The link to the pattern in in the supplies and tools section. Right click and choose ‘save as’
    Have fun sewing!

    Reply
Naush Samama - October 4, 2020

Helen, you are so talented and I love how you improvise the humble mask. Thank you for linking up at Meraki Link Party.
Naush

Reply
Michelle Joye - January 18, 2021

HEllo,
First, thank you for a wonderful tutorial!! I am really grateful for you willingness to share your patterns and the time you take to create the videos!

My two cents that I think will improve your video production, please consider using darker fabrics with a lite colored thread for your demos. The contrast between light and dark will help us see the sew lines a bite easier. The pale pastels (although pretty) tend to disappear in the bright white ground, making it a little rough to see clearly. I have repeatedly watched this video and had to zoom my screen in to see it clearly.

Thank you once again for your generosity of time, and knowledge!
Michelle J

Reply
    Helen - January 19, 2021

    Hi Michelle,
    Thank you very much for your kind words and for the suggestions. I’m really grateful for your honest feedback – I try to make each new video a little better than the previous one.
    I will definitely try to make the stitching lines more visible next time!

    Reply
Tabitha Juell - May 7, 2021

What are the seam allowances for this pattern? 5/8″ is standard but looked big, so I did 1/2″ but feel like it was still too much.

Reply
    Helen - May 7, 2021

    the seam allowance is 1/4″. It’s on the pdf pattern

    Reply

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