Hand sew a mask and a pouch to keep it clean

Even the most reliable sewing machine can go on strike and stop working. But that is no impediment in making one of the most necessary things in our life today – a mask. Following this tutorial, you can also make a very, very easy pouch to keep the mask safe inside your bag. 

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How to Hand sew the mask

Cut out a rectangular fabric piece measuring 8 1/2 inches by 8 inches.

Cut 2 fabric pieces measuring 4 inches by 1 1/2 inches. Fold as in the picture below – top and bottom edges first and then bring the side edges to the middle and then fold it by the middle. Press in place.

Fold the narrow fabric pieces as in the picture below. 1/4 inches to the inside from the top and bottom edge and then fold by the middle. Press in place.

Cut 2 pieces of 1/8 inch wide (or 1/4 inch) elastic of length 5 3/4 inches.

Roll the long side edges of the mask fabric to the inside 1/4 inches twice. Hem in place with whip stitches.

Pleat the sides of the mask fabric to match the narrow fabric pieces.

Insert the side to the folded fabric.

Baste stitch or pin in place. Insert the elastic to the top and bottom. Pin this also. Do this for the other side as well.

Sew the edges enclosing everything (the pleated edge, elastic) and make back stitches.

It is quite roomy.

How to make the easy pouch

Cut out a fabric piece measuring 14 inch wide 10.5 inches long.

This dimension carries the mask I have made neatly inside.

Hem the two long sides. To hem, just roll the bottom edge 1/4 inches twice to the inside and make whip stitches with a hand sewing needle and thread.

Fold the top edge 2 inch and hem in place. I am using left over fabric from an old skirt so the top hem is already made. I just had to hem the bottom edge.

Now keep the fabric wrong side up in front of you.

Fold 4 inches  from the bottom edge up. The top portion will make your flap.

Make back stitches on the side seams to join the fabric together. Back stitches are very strong and suitable for seam stitching. Draw a straight line and then sew along this line for straight stitches.

Now bring the pouch right-side out. It is almost ready.

Sew the side edges of the flap. Make whipping stitches after rolling the edges to the inside.

You can roll a little extra at the top to make the sides of the flap in a slightly diagonal shape.

Your pouch can now carry your mask. 

Increase the dimension to increase the size of the pouch to carry a lot more masks. This one is more than enough for one or two fabric masks.

If you want to close this pouch, and you want a more secure pouch to keep your masks, you can add a fastener. You can hand sew a snap button or Velcro to the flap and pouch front.

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