Seamstress/Tailor Starter Page

Thank you so much for joining the Citizen mask effort! To sew masks for Masks of Love WNC, you must use our patterns. You'll find many mask patterns on the web, but we need you to use our patterns for a reason: the standardized shape and size allows us to pre-cut filters that we give to the mask user.

Our two patterns:
Citizen Mask 1 (the fitted, curved style)
Citizen Mask 2 (the pleated rectangle style)

Both Citizen masks have two layers of cotton and are semi-fitted and have elastic ear loops; a nose bridge wire; and a pocket between the layers for a filter. Masks of Love WNC will add the mask filters after home sewers deliver them to our headquarters.

Instructions with Photos for Citizen Mask 2: HERE

Are you a commercial sewer? We are hiring people to sew our Frontline Masks! Click HERE

Clear Elastic: How To Use It 

With elastic in short supply, we've had to resort to using 1000s of yards of clear elastic that doesn't behave well in use for masks-making. The normal length for both styles of Citizen masks is 11" per ear loop. What we decided to do is lengthen that and double it over. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO THE CLEAR ELASTIC:
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1. Cut a 30" length of elastic. Fold it in half so it is now 15" long
2. Tie a tight overhand knot with the two ends together, making a loop about 15" long.
3. Slip the loop over a safety pin and close. Don't pierce the elastic.
4. Thread the loop through the elastic channel in the mask. Remove the pin. Do the same for the other end.

Note: If you didn't get enough clear elastic in your Masks of Love WNC sewing kit to finish all your masks using this new method, don't worry! Just bring back all the completed masks, with and without elastic. We will have volunteers add the elastic to those that need it.

Supplies for Both Types of Masks

If you need fabric, elastic or wire, you can pick it up in West Asheville at Flora Botanical Living, 428 Haywood Road, on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. or email us for possible delivery.

Fabric: Fabric must be light-colored, tightly woven cotton or mostly-cotton blend, and pre-washed. Prints are fine. The type used by quilters is ideal.

Elastic: Each mask requires 22" of clean elastic. You can use round or flat. 1/16 - 1/4" diameter. You can cut 1/2" in half.

Wire: Citizen mask 1 has a 3" piece of wire for the nose crimp. Citizen mask 2 has a longer piece of wire: 6.5". Use the same type of wire for each. This wire should be no smaller than 20-gauge or bigger than 12-gauge. It should be something that will wash and not rust. Decorative wires, floral wire, and picture wire have all been used. Pipe cleaners/chenille stems are allowed but ONLY if you don't have anything else. Please don't use paper clips or twisty ties. Test the cut ends and make sure they are not sharp. You can cut the wire a little longer and curl the ends into small loops to tuck in any sharp ends.

Tools: Sewing machine, thread, scissors, ruler, marker, iron

Filters: We will include pre-cut filters in the distribution of masks. Home sewers do not need to worry about supplying the filters.

Questions? Ask on our Facebook page or email us.

Bags for Masks

We no longer need bags! When we started the Masks of Love effort, we asked sewers to make laundry bags for the storage, transport, and laundering of our Frontline masks. Our speedy sewers created all the bags we need to date. We're leaving this section up in case we need to put out a call for more of these bags in the future. 

​​Show your mask-making pride with a Mindy the Mask Maker T-shirt, hoodie or totebag. Toby Mauer of The Branding House Asheville created this inspiring image to celebrate community mask makers everywhere. Visit Toby's website here to make a purchase. All profits go toward Masks of Love WNC. Thank you Toby!

Other ways to volunteer

Not a sewer but still want to help?
Please use the volunteer form if you have special admin skills or donate here.

Sewing FAQ

Do you have sewing questions?
Click here for our Sewing FAQ.

Are these masks effective?

Visit our General FAQ for details
and our legal disclaimer.