Ornamental Separator

How to Make a Mask

We’ve been grateful to be able to donate face coverings to healthcare workers on the frontlines. As we welcome guests back to the colonial capital, we’re sharing instructions from the Costume Design Center staff who, along with textiles conservators and interiors technicians have been using to make face coverings for our staff and for Sentara employees at a local hospital.

Remember that guests are required to wear face coverings when indoors per Virginia Executive Order 63. The wearing of face coverings outdoors is optional but recommended. Learn more about our commitment to your health here and make a mask below to bring on your visit this summer.

This mask consists of six cut pieces and two 30” pieces of quarter inch twill tape as follows: 2 pieces of outer fabric, 2 pieces of lining fabric (the same size as the fashion fabric) and 2 slightly shorter pieces of lining fabric for the mask pocket.

  1. Match right sides together the exterior, lining, and pocket fabric. Pin along the curved edges. Sew with small stitch length along the curved edge of each with ¼” seam allowance. Press seams open.
  2. Fold over twice the outside edges of the pocket piece, towards the interior, and stitch down to create a finished edge.
  3. Pin all layers together as follows: fashion fabric layer right sides together with pocket layer, then place lining layer right side to wrong side of pocket layer. Pin along the top and bottom curved edge matching seams
  4. Stitch together along outside curved seams with ¼” seam allowance. Turn inside out making sure the fashion fabric is on the outside and the finished pocket fabric on the interior. Press along top and bottom curved edge
  5. Top stitch along the top and bottom edges. Press, fold over the outside raw edges twice to create a channel for the twill tape. Stitch down.
  6. Insert approximately 30” of twill tape into the channel on each side.
  7. Knot each end of the twill tape.
  8. You’re done!

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