Overview:
Pleats are created in the mask.
Details:
Option 1 – with iron & pins
Option 2 – with pleating fork (no pins, no ironing!)
At iron (option 1):
1A. Fold the mask in half. Press a crease.
1B. Fold the bottom edge just above the half-mark crease. Press another crease.
1C. Turn mask 180 degrees. Fold this bottom edge just above the half-mark crease. Press another crease.
1D. The mask now has 3 creases.
1E. At each crease/edge intersection, pin the crease. Keep pins on the same side of the crease. There are SIX pins in the mask.
F. Turn a crease down. Move the pin to pin a pleat. Repeat with each crease. Ensure mask with pleats is 3 to 4″ final height.
With pleating fork (option 2):
Video at WeHaveMasks.org/pleats
Mark your masks where the pleats will go. Our pleating fork has notches are every 1/2″.
2A. Mark a center line with a washable fabric pencil or pen, use a clip or bobby pin, or make a crease with your fingers.
2B. Make a mark 1″ (2 notches) above the centerline and one 2″ (4 notches) above the centerline. Do the same below the center line.
2C. Go to the At Sewing Machine steps below. Use the forked end of the pleating fork to roll the pleats as you sew. Practice with a spare piece of fabric. Once you get the hang of it you may not even need to mark the pleat locations. Roll, sew, roll, sew, roll sew. Always backstitch over each pleat to secure.
At Sewing Machine:
G. Start with a backstitch, backstitch over each crevasse between pleats, and backstitch again at the end.
H. Pull 1-2″ and stitch the next mask in the set.
I. Continue stitching one side of all masks in a set, turn, and stitch the other side.
J. REMOVE 6 pins per mask.
Final mask should measure 3-4″ in height with pleats.