How to Sew a Surgical Face Mask for Hospitals – Free Pattern

Makers have asked for a pattern to sew homemade surgical masks for hospitals. Orders for the standard disposable masks used in hospitals are back-ordered, due to the high demand for protective equipment.

So, because of these supply concerns, many hospitals across the country have requested homemade surgical masks as an emergency stopgap measure.

According to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted.

The DIY pattern in this post will teach you to make a standard pleated face mask with elastic ear loops. This pattern has 2 layers of fabric, and an internal pocket in which you can add additional layers of disposable filtration material if desired.

If you can’t find or don’t want to use elastic, there are also ideas for using fabric ties instead.

A printable version of these pattern instructions is available at the bottom of this post: sarahmaker.com/how-to-sew-a-surgical-face-mask-…

!! Check the updated instructions in the blog post, because we've changed some of the measurements to improve the design.

I strongly caution you before you spend time sewing these masks:

Follow the CDC guidelines as the situation develops.
Contact your local hospital and clinic to ensure that they are accepting masks, and that any masks you make will meet their individual guidelines.