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LEVEL UP: Face Mask with Eye Shield Protection DIY

Make yourself a face mask with eye shield in just minutes. These fabric face masks can be used when going out in public and while wearing a homemade face mask will not prevent you from catching a respiratory virus, it can help reduce the spread of large particles caused when someone sneezes or coughs. Cloth face masks also serve as a reminder not to touch your face and mouth. Upgrade your DIY protection and make yourself a face mask with eye protection today!


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How to make a Face mask with Eye Shield:

Watch the 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 FACE MASK WITH EYE PROTECTION VIDEO TUTORIAL

Supplies and tools:

You actually need very little in terms of materials and tools:

Downloads:

Follow us for free patterns & tutorials!

Free EYE shield pattern (PDF pattern, currently size L only)

Mask pattern download from the supplies section HERE

Make sure both patterns are printed at 100% (no scale) on US letter paper. Measure the test line/box to ensure the sizing is correct before you cut your fabric!

If you are low on printer ink or paper, it’s time to replenish your printer’s supplies.

INSTRUCTIONS:

If you already have the mask, skip right to step 10. If you need more details how to sew it, check out the original free face mask instructions here

I suggest that you go up one size when making the mask to allow some space for the shield overlap.

1. Cut the fabric pieces (cut 2 from the main fabric and 2 from the lining fabric). Place the fabric so that the right (pretty sides) are facing each other. Cut the lining pieces according to the pattern, and add one inch to the ear side of the main fabric before you cut it. The seam allowance is 1/2 inch and is already included.

2. Sew the curved center seams of the outer piece. Repeat with the lining piece

3. Fold ear sides of the lining twice towards the middle and sew in place

4. Trim the curved seam allowance and clip it 1/2″ apart being careful not to cut into your stitches!

5. Join the inner and outer layers together. Put the inner layer on top of the outer layer with the pretty sides facing each other so that the upper and lower edges align and pin. Stitch at the bottom and top seam lines. Clip the top seam allowance.
At this point the side edge of the outer layer should be more than an inch away from the side edge of the inner layer.

6. Turn the mask inside out, use your fingers to push all seams well and give them a sharper look. Press well with an iron.

7. Fold the raw side edge of the outer layer over twice to make a casing. Pin or iron it to make creases. Before you sew make sure that it meets the edge of the lining and does not overlap it. Sew. (Repeat for the opposite side)

8. (Optional) Topstitch top and bottom parts 1/8 from the edge to give it a professional look

9. Insert the elastic through the casings and tie the ends in a knot. Hide the knot in the casing by pulling it.

10. Cut the clear plastic according to the pattern

I used regular clear plastic cover that is usually used for binding. One of these clear sheets is enough for two visors!

Currently the pattern is only in the most popular “L” size, so you may need to make it smaller in order to fit the smaller sizes.

NOTE: I got a ton of requests to release the pattern and I just haven’t got the time to make patterns for the smaller sized masks. It just takes a really long time and there are only so much hours in a day. However, definitely let me know in the comments below if you need me to make the mask in another size, and if there is enough interest, I’ll make it.

11. Sew the bias tape around the edge of the clear plastic visor.

You can buy the bias tape, or make your own. It’s very easy!

12. Align the bottom center edge of the visor at the top center of the mask. Pin the visor to the mask. Make sure that the bias tape at the bottom does not show on the outside.

13. Sew the visor to the mask very carefully. Sew slowly and take your time. Pivot at the corners. Backstitch at the beginning and the end of your seams

14. (Optional) You can stitch a second seam very close to the first one to make sure the visor is attached securely to the mask

Voila.

The mask with eye protection is now ready! Here’s how it looks compared to the same mask without a shield:

Both are really comfortable and look great when worn. Try these now!

TIPS:

  • Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to prevent the stitching from coming undone
  • If the thread keeps breaking when you sew over the pleats, go as slow as possible and/or use a walking foot attachment
  • Use clips instead of pins – they help you sew faster and you won’t accidentally prick your fingers

FAQs and pattern troubleshooting:

I’m out of elastic what should I do?

Don’t sweat it – there is a number of other options you can use instead. I’ve just published an article what you can use instead of elastic and some ideas how to re-purpose some elastic you probably already have at home. You won’t believe how much elastic you can find scavenging your house!

Can I use fabric or t-shirt ties instead of elastic?

Sure you can! You can either stitch the fabric ties to the sides or push them through the side channels for more adjustable fit.

Do I need a special presser foot to sew the eye shield to the face mask?

No! Using the bias tape allows you to use your universal presser foot! If you want to be able to see where you are sewing, you can use the clear plastic applique foot.

I’m out of bias tape! What should I do?

No worries! You can make your own bias tape without any tools and just using a paper template. Check out my article How to sew bias tape or bias ties blazing fast with NO tools!

Mayra over at So Sew Easy has a cool pattern for a similar mask that uses vinyl and fabric ties instead of clear plastic and elastic. Very clever!

My visor fogs up.. please help

This is an easy fix! There are few ways you can eliminate fogging.

  • add a nose piece – stitch a straight line just under the bottom edge of the visor, through both layers of the mask and pop in a pipe cleaner, a piece of craft wire or any of these clever nose wire materials you probably already have at home
  • the Soap method – The easiest and cheapest one is to rub a bit of soap/dishwashing luquid/shampoo over the inside of the plastic and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub well with a rug to remove any remaining residue. Boom! No fogging!
  • use antifog – anti fog sprays like these are dirt cheap to get and you won’t have to remember to use the soap method after every washing. Just pop it in your purse/glove box and it’s always on hand
  • use shaving cream – similar to the soap method above, some people used shaving cream to reduce fogging and report good results.

.. or you can just roll with it – our masks don’t fog up much at all. Since these are open on three sides, any fogging evaporates pretty quickly in my opinion and I’m fine with it as it is.

Hope you find that helpful. If you do, please share it with your friends!

Pin for later!

Wanna be friends? Click HERE and follow me on Pinterest

Did you make this face mask with an eye shield? How did it turn out? Do you have an idea for improvement? Drop a comment below

Sharing is caring! If you find the pattern and tutorial useful please share with your friends on social media

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Nose wire piece ideas

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DIY Scarf mask

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 67 comments
Mary Morgan - April 22, 2020

How do I get the pattern for the shield?
and what material are you using to make the shield?
thank you

Reply
    Helen - April 22, 2020

    I’ve just uploaded it. Refresh the page and download it
    The material is clear plastic cover that is usually used for binding

    Reply
    Hans Belmonte - October 22, 2020

    world is changing

    Reply
Eliane - April 23, 2020

Très beau tuto, très bien expliqué, merci pour votre travail. Mais juste une question :
Comment faites vous pour laver le masque avec protection des yeux, à 60° comme recommandé, je ne pense pas que le “plastique” résiste à cette température, d’autant que l”on doit le laver tous les jours d’utilisation. Il faudrait pouvoir le retirer comme l’insert pour le lavage. Autrement l’idée est géniale, merci encore.

Reply
    Helen - April 24, 2020

    Hi Eliane,
    thank you for your nice comment. I’m sorry but I don’t speak french 🙂 According to the online translators, your question is:
    “Very nice tutorial, very well explained, thank you for your work. But just a question:
    How do you wash the mask with eye protection, at 60 ° as recommended, I do not think that the “plastic” resists this temperature, especially since it must be washed every day of use. It should be able to be removed like the washing insert. Otherwise the idea is great, thank you again.”

    I wash it by hand in the sink, in warm soapy water. Since we are told to wash our hands in warm soapy water, I think it would be fine if I wash the mask the same way.
    However, if you have contact with a sick person, you would need more rigorous cleaning

    Reply
      Jan - April 24, 2020

      Maybe velcro could be used to attach the shield to the mask.

      Reply
        Helen - April 25, 2020

        Great idea. It would totally work!
        Just an idea off the top of my head: if using Velcro you’d better attach the shield to the outer layer

        Reply
Anne-Marie Bazzo-Grenier - April 23, 2020

Hi,

I can only find 7mm cover binding sheet. Would that work?
Thank you for the patterns!

Reply
    Helen - April 24, 2020

    Isn’t that 7 mil? I think it would work.
    glad you liked the patterns!

    Reply
Nicole Oshiro - April 23, 2020

How do you clean the mask with shield?

Reply
    Helen - April 24, 2020

    I wash it with warm soapy water or spray it with 60% alcohol solution/disinfectant

    Reply
Devra - April 23, 2020

Can you tell me how the mask with the face shield washes?

Reply
Kym L Lugo - April 23, 2020

Can you email the Jpeg?
Thank you so much?

Reply
    Helen - April 24, 2020

    I have emailed you the JPG file 🙂

    Reply
Kym L Lugo - April 23, 2020

Hi! Me again. Please convert to Jpeg.
Thank you so much.

Reply
Kym L Lugo - April 23, 2020

Hi!
Thank you for responding. Please convert to JPEG.
Thank you so much.

Reply
Julie - April 24, 2020

Hi, What type of needle did you use to stitch the plastic? Great design. Thanks

Reply
    Helen - April 24, 2020

    Thank you, Julie. I’m so glad you liked it
    You can stitch it with a regular needle 🙂

    Reply
Marie - April 24, 2020

This is the best DIY mask I’ve seen yet. Thanks for the easy to follow video tutorial and templates!

Reply
    Helen - April 24, 2020

    thank you, Marie! I’m glad you liked the mask!

    Reply
Michelle - April 27, 2020

An excellent idea! Thanks for creating and sharing this tutorial!

Thanks for sharing on Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

Reply
    Helen - April 29, 2020

    Hey Michelle, nice to e-meet you! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for hosting Creative compulsions!

    Reply
Regina - April 27, 2020

Very easy pattern to follow, nice tutorial. Mask is much ore comfortable than the pleated type. This mask does not ride up under your eyes like the other type. Highly recommended this pattern.

Reply
    Helen - April 29, 2020

    Aww, thank you so much for the glowing review. I’m thrilled you liked it so much!

    Reply
Ann - April 28, 2020

Wow! Great protection…Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.

Reply
    Helen - April 29, 2020

    Thank you Ann. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - April 28, 2020

Thanks for sharing this helpful tutorial! I have not seen any masks with eye shields. Very clever!

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
    Helen - April 29, 2020

    Thank you! I’m so glad you liked it

    Reply
creativejewishmom/sara - April 29, 2020

Wow, really great looking and helpful tutorial. thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

Reply
    Helen - April 29, 2020

    Hi Sara,
    Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comment

    Reply
Linda Primmer - April 29, 2020

Hi Michelle, such a great mask. The first I have seen with an eye shield. Wonderful tutorial as well. You should sell them. Thank you for sharing at Love Your Creativity.

Reply
    Helen - April 30, 2020

    Hey Linda, thanks for dropping by and for hosting LYC 🙂

    Reply
Nichole S. - April 29, 2020

What about inserting a nose wire?

Reply
    Helen - April 30, 2020

    You can insert a nose wire. You can stitch a channel just under the bottom of the shield and slip the wire in there

    Reply
Johnny Ray Beane Sr - April 30, 2020

I just want the pdf pattern.
I don’t need the opener.

Reply
    Helen - April 30, 2020

    You can download it. It’s just after the supplies and tools section

    Reply
Lizette - April 30, 2020

Hello i was wondering if by any chance you sell them already made?

Reply
    Helen - May 1, 2020

    I’m not selling them, but one of our lovely sewists may be

    Reply
    Sabrina - May 2, 2020

    Hi Lizette,
    I am making facemarks on my page on Etsy, if you want to order:
    https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SabrinasDesignStudio

    Sabrina

    @Helen, thank you for the lovely pattern, I love the eye shield, I will be using this 🙂

    Reply
      Helen - May 2, 2020

      Hey Sabrina,
      Thanks for stopping by

      Reply
Lydia Taylor - May 10, 2020

I would love the face mask with face shield. Thank you so much.

Reply
    Helen - May 11, 2020

    It’s my pleasure. Thanks for the comment!

    Reply
Lany` - May 16, 2020

Just wondering…what is the plastic called that I need? And where might I find it? CUTE DESIGN!

Reply
Liz - May 21, 2020

Great idea! I would love a smaller pattern for kid size! I think this is a great solution for little toddlers who touch their faces a lot.

Reply
Michelle - May 23, 2020

love the face shield eye shield. I don’t sew,:-( Do you know of someone I can buy some at at a reasonable price? If so please reach out to me at [email protected]

Reply
Debbie - May 29, 2020

Great idea! I’ve sewn similar masks without the shield, so I’m anxious to try it now with the shield. I’m sure you are very busy, but any chance you can email me the jpeg file as well? Thanks!

Reply
    Helen - May 29, 2020

    Hi Debbie, email me via the contact form on the site and I’ll send you the file

    Reply
Linda Nagai - June 12, 2020

How can I wash my face mask with shield without damaging the face mask?

Reply
    Helen - June 13, 2020

    Hand wash and air dry

    Reply
Irene Smith - June 16, 2020

Could you email the pattern to me please. where can I buy the binding? Great video thank you.

Reply
    Helen - June 17, 2020

    Hi Irene, you can download the pattern for free. It’s just after the supplies and tools section.

    Reply
Shirley - August 3, 2020

I don’t see where to download the shield pattern.

Reply
    Helen - August 4, 2020

    It’s just under the supplies and tools section

    Reply
Jean | Delightful Repast - September 7, 2020

Great post! Pinned it to my sewing board and followed you on Pinterest. I haven’t done much sewing in ages, but plan to get back to it. #SeniSal

Reply
Catherine Sokolowski - September 8, 2020

I haven;t seen this pattern before with the eye mask. I will try to add it to one that I made already. Thanks for the idea!

Reply
    Helen - September 11, 2020

    Thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked it

    Reply
Life Diet Health - September 8, 2020

What a great idea to add eye protection. Loving the velcro idea in the comments too. Thanks for sharing this with us at Fiesta Friday. Stay safe.

Reply
Marilyn - September 9, 2020

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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
********************************************************

Reply
    Helen - September 11, 2020

    Thank you, Marilyn, will do

    Reply
Naush Samama - September 13, 2020

Helen, your tutorials are always so nice to watch. This one is excellent too.
Thank you for sharing at Meraki Link Party.
Naush

Reply
T'onna | Sew Crafty Crochet - September 14, 2020

I really like this mask! The fabric is lovely, and I love the idea of having an eye shield. I featured this fabulous mask at the recent Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party! Have a lovely week!!

Reply
    Helen - September 14, 2020

    Thank you, T’onna. Have a lovely week, too

    Reply
mireille - September 24, 2020

This is the first tutorial I have seen with an eye shield. Pretty nifty!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

Reply
    Helen - September 25, 2020

    I’m so glad you liked it!

    Reply
Austin Navas - May 25, 2021

I would like to know if you do have Face Shield for sale, If YES kindly let me know the major credit cards you accept as form of Payment. I will await your immediate response.

 

Best Regards

Reply
Wende Gennardo - August 19, 2022

Thanks for the patterns and videos.

Reply
    Helen - August 22, 2022

    You are welcome! I’m so glad to hear you liked them

    Reply

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