How to Make a Face Mask at Home? | Cotton Mask Basics

A simple cloth face mask made from tightly woven cotton, in either a sewn or no-sew version, protects others when you’re out in public and can’t stay six feet apart.

Making a face mask at home takes about fifteen minutes and a few supplies you probably already own. The CDC’s instructions cover two versions: a sewn mask with elastic ear loops and a no-sew option that uses household items like bandanas or cotton t-shirts. Either way, the material matters more than the method—tightly woven cotton blocks droplets far better than loose knit fabric.

What Supplies Do You Need?

For the sewn version, the CDC specifies two rectangles of cotton fabric measuring 10 by 6 inches, plus two pieces of 1/8-inch elastic cut to 6 inches each. Rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties work as substitutes for elastic. You’ll also need a needle and thread, scissors, and ideally a sewing machine.

Fabric choice makes the real difference. Quilting cotton and cotton sheets are the CDC’s top picks because their tight weave filters more particles. T-shirt fabric works in a pinch, but its looser knit means less protection—save it for the no-sew version when nothing better is on hand.

The Sewn Mask: Step-by-Step

The sewn mask takes about ten minutes once your fabric is cut, and the CDC’s steps are straightforward.

1. Cut two rectangles of cotton fabric, each 10 by 6 inches, then stack them on top of each other.
2. Hem the long sides by folding each edge over 1/4 inch and stitching it down.
3. Fold the short sides over 1/2 inch and stitch those as well, creating a wider channel on each end.
4. Thread a 6-inch piece of elastic through each side channel to form ear loops.
5. Tie the elastic ends in a knot, then tuck the knots inside the hem so they don’t press against your ears.
6. Gather the sides of the mask and stitch the elastic in place to hold the shape.

When it’s finished, the mask should cover from the bridge of your nose to below your chin, with the ear loops snug enough that no gaps open at the edges. You’ll know it fits when you can talk and the mask stays put.

Fabric and Fit: The Two Rules That Matter

Two factors decide whether your homemade mask actually works, and both come straight from the CDC’s guidance. The CDC’s cloth face covering instructions emphasize tightly woven cotton first, snug fit second—and getting either one wrong opens the door for airborne droplets to slip around the edges. Loose weaves let particles pass through the fabric itself, while a baggy mask leaks at the sides no matter how good the material is. A mask that fits properly should feel like a gentle hug around your face, with no gaps where your breath escapes.

One more point the CDC stresses: the mask must be washable. That rules out craft felt, paper products, and anything that falls apart in the laundry. Cotton handles hot water and machine washing fine, which is exactly why it tops the CDC’s list.

Before you commit to a design, keep in mind that the best anti-aging face mask at home for skincare is a completely different product—the CDC’s cloth masks are for public health, not skincare.

Safety Limits and the No-Sew Option

The CDC’s cloth mask guidance includes clear boundaries on who should and shouldn’t wear one. Children under 2 years old should never wear a cloth face covering, and neither should anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious or incapacitated, or can’t remove the mask without help. For everyone else, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in public settings where distancing is hard, especially around people outside your household.

If sewing isn’t your skill, the CDC’s no-sew version skips the needle entirely. A bandana or square of cotton fabric folded into layers, with hair ties or rubber bands holding the sides, covers the same basic requirement—mouth and nose covered snugly with breathable material. The trade-off is fit: no-sew versions tend to gap more at the cheeks, so check the seal before heading out.