Make A Face Mask Using T-Shirt Ties

Making a face mask with t-shirt ties is a quick and easy way to make a face mask. It is a good alternative to elastic, which can be uncomfortable and hard to find. T-shirt ties are soft, stretchy and comfortable, and they won't hurt your ears. They are also simple to make. All you need is a t-shirt and some basic tools, such as a ruler, rotary cutter and mat, or some scissors. You can cut the t-shirt into strips to make t-shirt yarn, which can then be threaded through the sides of the mask. This method can be used to make both adult and child-sized masks.

How to make t-shirt yarn for face mask ties

T-shirt yarn is a great way to repurpose old t-shirts and can be used to make a variety of items, including face mask ties. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make t-shirt yarn for face mask ties:

Step 1: Prepare your t-shirt

Lay your t-shirt flat on a table and smooth out any wrinkles. Using fabric scissors or a rotary cutter, cut off the bottom seam (hem) of the shirt. Then, cut a straight line from one armpit to the other, making sure to cut through both layers of the shirt. This will leave you with a rectangular piece of fabric.

Step 2: Cut the fabric into strips

Decide how wide you want your t-shirt yarn to be. For face mask ties, a width of 1-2 inches is ideal. Beginning at one edge of the fabric, cut a strip straight from the bottom to about 1-2 inches from the top fold. Make sure you don't cut all the way to the end, and cut through both layers. Repeat this process until you have cut strips across the entire fabric. Try to maintain the same width for all your strips, but don't worry about being perfectly precise.

Step 3: Connect the strips

Now that you have cut the shirt into strips, it's time to connect them into one continuous piece of yarn. Place the shirt over one arm, with the top, uncut fold on your arm. If you are right-handed, place the shirt on your left arm, and vice versa. From now on, you will be cutting diagonally. Cut diagonally from the outside edge to the point where you ended cutting the first strip. Continue cutting the rest of the strips in the same manner. When you reach the end of the shirt, simply cut off the last strip diagonally to the edge. You now have one continuous strip of t-shirt yarn.

Step 4: Stretch the yarn (optional)

If you wish to curl your yarn and make it thinner, simply pick up a length of the yarn and stretch it between your hands. You will notice that it curls up and thins out. Do this along the entire strand. Now, your t-shirt yarn is ready to be used for face mask ties!

Tips:

• Shirts without side seams make the smoothest yarn.
• Skip any parts of the shirt that have logos or graphics on them.
• Old t-shirts or jersey fabric can be used, but make sure to use 100% cotton to avoid fraying.
• The width of the strips can vary depending on your desired look, but avoid going narrower than 1/2 inch to prevent the yarn from becoming unstable.

How to attach t-shirt ties to a face mask

Step 1: Prepare the t-shirt ties

Cut the t-shirt into strips of 1.5" and 2" width. If you cut 2" wide strips, you can fold it over like bias binding. If you cut 1.5" strips, you can thread it through a casing. The wider strips will give the ties more heft.

Step 2: Prepare the mask body

Sandwich the three layers of fabric together. The right sides of the patterned fabric and solid fabric should be together and the wrong side of the patterned fabric should be on top of the filter fabric. Clip or pin the layers together, then sew the top and bottom long edges with a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn the fabric right sides out, then top stitch the edges.

Step 3: Pleat the mask body

Create 2-3 pleats, then clip and baste with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 4: Attach the t-shirt ties

Bind the pleated rectangle with the t-shirt strips. Clip and secure the binding to the mask body with a zigzag stitch. The zigzag stitch should be mostly on the t-shirt material and the mask body, not the edge.

How to make a face mask with t-shirt ties

Making your own face mask with t-shirt ties is a great way to protect yourself and others. It's also a fun project to do at home. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a face mask with t-shirt ties:

Materials:

• Two 9" x 7.5" rectangles of 100% cotton fabric. One fabric should be patterned, and the other a solid colour.
• One 100% cotton t-shirt, sized adult large or bigger. Make sure it's 100% cotton, as blends don't always behave. Also, if you're making yarn, ensure there are no side seams.
• One flour sack towel (optional). This will act as a filter.
• One 9" x 3" strip of fabric. This is to attach to the front of the mask if you want to add a nose bridge casing.
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Needle and thread

Step 1: Prepare the T-Shirt Ties

Cut the t-shirt into 2" wide strips. Then, cut open one side of the tube and tug to create a long, continuous strip of t-shirt yarn. You'll need two strips, each about 36" in length, for your face mask.

Step 2: Create the Fabric Layers

Sandwich the three layers of fabric together. Place the patterned fabric in the middle, with the right side facing the solid-coloured fabric. Then, place the filter fabric (or the plain side of the patterned fabric, if you're not using a filter) on top, with the wrong side facing the patterned fabric. Clip or pin the layers together.

Step 3: Sew the Layers

Sew the top and bottom long edges of the fabric sandwich with a 1/4" seam allowance. Then, turn the fabric right sides out and top stitch the edges.

Step 4: Add Pleats

Create 2-3 pleats on the front side of the mask, with the pleats facing downwards. This will allow any droplets to slide off the mask instead of getting caught in the folds. Clip and baste the pleats with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 5: Attach the T-Shirt Ties

Bind the pleated rectangle with the t-shirt yarn. Clip and secure the binding to the mask body with a zigzag stitch. Make sure the whole zigzag stitch is on the t-shirt material and the mask body, not just the edge.

Step 6: Add a Nose Bridge (Optional)

If you wear glasses, you may want to add a nose bridge to your mask to prevent your glasses from fogging up. Take the 9" x 3" strip of fabric and fold it in half lengthwise. Then, fold the edges towards the centre and finish the ends. Sew the two ends closed and place the fabric piece just underneath the top stitching of the mask. Use the stitching as a guide to top stitch the fabric onto the front of the mask, creating a channel for a nose clamp (you can use a paper clip, jewellery wire, or plastic-coated copper wire).

And there you have it! Your very own face mask with t-shirt ties. Now you can head out for your essential activities, feeling a little safer and more stylish.

How to make a ninja mask out of a t-shirt

Pick a T-Shirt

Choose a dark-coloured T-shirt, preferably black or navy blue, to go with your ninja outfit. Make sure the T-shirt is soft and comfortable, and made from cotton or a cotton blend. Avoid Spandex, as it can be tough to breathe through.

Prepare the T-Shirt

Turn the T-shirt inside out. If there is a long tag, cut it off with scissors.

Put on the T-Shirt

Hold the shirt backwards, with the tag facing away from you, and pull it over your head, leaving your face exposed.

Adjust the Collar

Pull the collar up to cover your mouth and nose, leaving your eyes free to see.

Tie the Sleeves

Reach around your head and grab the sleeves of the shirt. Pull them back and tie them together behind your head. Tie the knot twice to ensure the mask is tight and secure.

Tuck the Collar (Optional)

Tuck the collar underneath itself to give the mask a more professional, streamlined look. This step will also help to hide the T-shirt tag.

Complete the Ninja Look

Dress in all black, including black gloves and shoes, to complete your ninja outfit. You can also add a pop of colour with a bright ribbon or scarf tied around your waist.

How to make a t-shirt yarn for face mask ties

T-shirt yarn is a great alternative to elastic for face mask ties. It's soft, stretchy, and comfortable, and won't make your ears sore. It's also a good option if you don't have elastic available.

To make t-shirt yarn, follow these steps:

• Take a clean 100% cotton t-shirt and place it on a cutting board.
• Use a ruler and a rotary cutter or scissors to cut one-inch strips from the bottom of the t-shirt up to the arms. You can cut wider strips, such as 1.5" or 2", if you want thicker ties.
• If your t-shirt has seams down the sides, make a cut at one of the seams and cut off the bulky part. You will be left with one join in the centre of your strip.
• Gently but firmly pull the strip to get a soft, comfortable, stretchy tie.
• If you are using the t-shirt yarn for a face mask, cut the strips to 36" in length.

T-shirt yarn can be used as ties for face masks by threading them through the side pockets. Here's how:

• Take a hairpin and use it like a needle. Slide a bit of the t-shirt yarn through the hairpin and thread it through the side pockets of the mask.
• Start at the top of the mask and go down. When you get to the other side, begin at the bottom and thread the tie upwards.
• The remaining bulky bit marks the centre of your tie. Threading the yarn through the mask this way allows you to tie the mask in place at the top and also lets you lower the mask so it hangs around your neck when not in use.
• You can knot the ends of the t-shirt ties if you want.

Frequently asked questions