Add a Nose Wire Piece to my Mask Pattern

Adding a Wire Nose Piece to my Mask Pattern

I was wearing my mask at the grocery store the other day when I suffered a hot-flash.  Not just any old hot flash, the mother of all hot flashes, and the heat escaped my mask and hung out behind my glasses.  OMG!  Time to add a bendable nose-wire that might make the mask fit closer to my face. 

Note on my nose-wire choice:  I found plastic coated garden wire at Dollarama.  It’s soft and the plastic coating resists rust.  I cut a piece 11 inches long, folded it in half, twisted it slightly, then folded the cut end in by 1/2” and pinched the ends with pliers.

Here’s what I came up with:

Begin with my original pattern click here.

Be sure to print it off full size, not “scaled” or “fit to page”.  Note to size for men:  add 1/4 inch all the way around before proceeding to the next step.

Add 1/4 inch extra seam allowance along the curved edge between the nose and ear. 

Cut out your 4 pieces, 2 for lining and 2 for the outer layer..`

Using 1/4 inch seam allowance sew the curved front seam on both sets.   Open out each set and either press the seam allowance to one side or top-stitch the seam allowance to one side. Press or top-stitch the seam allowances to opposite sides to make the next step smoother.   

Place the 2 completed layers with right sides together.  Match the pieces at the center seams.

Sew both layers together around 3 sides, using 1/2 inch seam allowance at the top (nose) where you added the extra 1/4”, leaving one of the straight ends (ear) open. 

Select a 5mm wide zig-zag stitch.  Center the piece of prepared wire in the seam allowance at the nose and zig-zag it into place close to the seam line. 

I used a Husqvarna/Viking “D” foot.  It has a groove underneath it that glided over the wire.  I moved my zig-zag to the left side of the foot.

Turn the mask right sides out and finish by topstitching as directed, BUT at the top of the mask top-stitch beside the wire, enclosing it.   You’ll be able to feel it. (see the red line, below)

Add the elastic at the ears and you’re good to go.  Questions?  Email me at yvettechilcott at yahoo dot ca.

want a printable?  Adding nosewire