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DIY Gaiter Face Mask (2 ways) VIDEO tutorial + FREE pattern

A face mask that can be used as a fashion accessory and protect you from viruses? Sounds great, if you ask me.

It’s called a gaiter face mask, and it is primarily a face mask. But it can also be worn in twelve different ways! That makes this neck gaiter a fashion accessory that is compatible with all kinds of outfits or styles.

The best thing about it is the fact that you can make it on your own, quickly and relatively easily. It’s even simple enough for a beginner sewing enthusiast to sew. Just follow one of the two methods below and you’ll have a DIY neck gaiter face mask before you know it!

Below you will find my step by step written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make a neck gaiter

Supplies and tools

DOWNLOAD: Neck gaiter face mask pattern (Free PDF file)

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How To Sew Gaiter Face Mask (Lined or unlined)

OPTION 1: UNLINED DIY neck gaiter face mask

This gaiter face mask can be made in two ways, with the lining or without it. First up is the unlined option.

Watch the neck gaiter 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.

Unlined Gaiter VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Prepare the pattern

Prepare the pattern

The first thing you will be doing is downloading the gaiter face mask pattern. Then print it out (100%, no scaling), tape it together, and cut it out accordingly. Use a pair of scissors that aren’t for sewing, because cutting paper can blunt them.

You will get two rectangles, one small and one big. The larger one is for the main section, the smaller one is for a filter pocket, which is optional but we’ll get to that later on.

STEP 2: Cut the fabric

Use 4-way stretch fabric. I recommend using 95% cotton with  5% Lycra/Spandex or 95% Rayon, 5% Lycra/Spandex. Fabric with lycra or spandex has good elasticity and has a good bounce back to its original shape.

Use the two pattern rectangles to cut out two pieces of fabric. One bigger for the gaiter and one smaller rectangle for the optional filter pocket.

STEP 3: Prepare the fabric for sewing

Lay the bigger fabric piece horizontally, with its right side down. Place the smaller piece at the center of it, about half-inch from the top edge. Its right side should go up. Pin in place.

STEP 4: Sew the filter pocket (optional)

Make two horizontal stitches across the smaller fabric piece, one next to the top edge, the other one next to the bottom edge.

The top stitch should be about one and a half-inch away from the edge. The bottom one should be about 3/8 inch from the edge.

STEP 5: Make the edges

Fold about half of an inch from the top edge and from the bottom edge. Press flat with an iron. Pin the edges and then sew across them with a stretch stitch.

Press flat once more.

STEP 6: Finish the mask

Fold the entire thing in half so that the short edges align. Make sure to put the right sides together. Secure with pins.

Sew with a 3/8 inch seam allowance along the short edges you just pinned together.

Turn the neck gaiter inside out. Insert the filter into the pocket, and insert the nose wire into the opening above it.

That’s it your unlined gaiter mask is ready!

 

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Option 2: LINED Gaiter Face Mask

Again, watch the video first and then follow written directions 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.

Lined Gaiter VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Prepare the pattern

Download the pattern from the link above, print it out without any scaling, tape pages 1 and 2 together, and cut out the size of your choice. For the lined option I highly recommend sizing up to allow for the thickness of the second fabric.

STEP 2: Cut the fabric

Cut two pieces of fabric, using the pattern for the main section.

If you want a filter pocket, cut one piece of fabric using the small pattern.

STEP 3: Sew the filter pocket (optional)

Lay one bigger piece of fabric so that the shorter edges are on the sides and the right side is up. Put the fabric for the filter pocket horizontally on the center of the upper edge, right side up. Pin in place.

Now you will be making two horizontal stitches over the filter pocket fabric. Sew them about an inch away from the edges, both the top one and the bottom one.

STEP 4: Start sewing the main section

Lay the fabric piece with the filter pocket on your workspace so that the short edges are on the sides. Put the other fabric piece on top, right sides together. Align the pieces and place pins along the bottom and top edge.

Sew with a 3/8 inch seam allowance along the edges you pinned.

STEP 5: Turn and sew some more

Take the fabric tube you just made and turn it towards the inside until the unstitched edges align. Pin them in place.

Now that the right sides are aligned on the inside, sew all around the whole thing. Leave a small opening of about two inches unstitched so that you can turn the neck gaiter mask inside-out.

STEP 6: Finish the mask

Turn the whole thing through the opening you left. Close the opening with glue or sew it shut stitching as close to the edge as possible.

Insert the filter into its pocket. Above the filter, you will see a small tube-like opening. Insert the nose wire into that opening.

Bonus: How to wear the neck gaiter face mask:

I mentioned at the beginning of the tutorial that you can wear this accessory in twelve different ways. So here they are!

  • As a face face mask

Put it over your nose, under your eyes, letting it cover everything from the nose down.

  • On your neck

Fold it inwards a bit and place it around your neck.

  • Sahariane

Put the tube over your forehead and pull your hair through it so that it covers the hair.

  • Beanie

Fold inwards so that you get a beanie shape hat. Put on your head.

  • Do-rag

Place over your hair and neck and tie up.

  • Pirate

Similar to the previous one, but don’t cover your neck, and you can tie it on the side.

  • Balaclava

Put your head through the tube. Pull from the back to make a hood. Then pull from the front and place over nose, leaving only your eyes uncovered.

  • Eskimo hood

Same as balaclava but don’t cover your nose, leaving the entire front of the face uncovered.

  • Headband

Fold inwards until it gets the shape of a bandana. Then tie around your head like a regular bandana.

  • Ponytail

Identical to the headband, but you tie it around your ponytail.

  • Bandana

Similar to the headband, just don’t tie it. Instead, pull it over your forehead.

  • Wristband

Like bandana, but twist it and then put it over your wrist. Or just tie it around.

 

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 16 comments
Shelbee on the Edge - July 9, 2020

I have seen lots of different gaiter ideas, but this is the first I have seen how many practical purposes they have from face cover to head band to hair tie. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing and linking up.

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
    Helen - July 11, 2020

    Honestly I was surprised that you can wear a gaiter in so many different ways. It’s awesome

    Reply
Michele Morin - July 10, 2020

Helpful and very lovely as well!

Reply
    Helen - July 11, 2020

    Thank you, I’m glad you like the tutorial and the mask!

    Reply
Michelle - July 14, 2020

Another great mask pattern! Look for it to be featured in this week’s Creative Compulsions.

Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

Reply
    Helen - July 15, 2020

    That’s awesome. Thank you, Michelle

    Reply
Angela - July 15, 2020

I cannot find the video for the lined version. I do not see it in this tutorial, nor do I see it on your YouTube channel. Also the written instructions for the lined version have steps 7-10 blank, with no instruction.
I was hoping the video would show me those steps or that it would help me to understand the other steps.
Too bad becauseI really liked this idea.

Reply
    Helen - July 15, 2020

    I’m working on them as we speak. Hopefully I’ll upload them soon

    Reply
Margie - July 23, 2020

Video is good. I wish there were written instructions along with actual measurements for each size.

Reply
    Helen - July 23, 2020

    there are written instructions just below the video. Full step by step illustrated tutorial

    Reply
Lynda - September 24, 2020

I really like the neat ideas for this Gaiter, can I get measurements for the different sizes Son I can make the Gaiter.

Thanks,

Lynda

Reply
    Helen - September 24, 2020

    Hi Lynda, glad you liked it. You can download the pattern – it’s free and is right under the supplies and tools section

    Reply
Patti Kunkel - December 11, 2020

Any advice on how to sew on knit fabrics? Every time I try to start sewing, unless I pull real hard on both ends, it ends up bunching u0p and getting caught, not really sewing at all.

Thanks, Patti

Reply
    Helen - December 14, 2020

    What needle are you using? You need jersey or ballpoint needles. These work with most of the knit fabrics because as they have a dull tip that slides between the fibers of the fabric, and are not piercing through them.
    Do you have a walking foot? If yes – use it – it helps feed the top and the bottom layer evenly

    Reply
Patti Kunkel - December 14, 2020

I got balllpoint needles, but I don’t know what a walking foot is.Every time I try to sew, the fabric bunches up and gets caught under the plate, and I have to cut it out from under neath (after I remove the plate).

Reply
    Amy - January 23, 2021

    try googling “Sewing with knit fabrics”. It is tricky, but I’m sure there are so many tips out there, one is going to hit on what’s going wrong with your technique.

    Reply

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