How to Make a Face Mask with Vinyl Window (Free Pattern)

Learn how to make a face mask with a vinyl window with a free pattern the easy way. This face mask with vinyl window is especially helpful for lip reading for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. But this face mask can benefit anyone who likes to be able to see and show more emotion, great for teachers and nurses.

With school starting my friend Megan from Moon Child Adventures asked me about how to make a face mask with a vinyl window for her son’s teachers. I had never heard of face masks with vinyl windows before but I immediately loved the idea! Face masks with vinyl windows are useful for anyone, teachers, food service, nurses and especially for anyone working with the deaf and hard of hearing communities.

I have to admit this project was a little more difficult than a basic face mask, but after sewing several of these it did get a bit easier. So lets get started!

Here are the supplies you need to make a face mask with a vinyl window:

Download Free Pattern
Cotton Fabric
Vinyl
Sewing Machine
Sewing Pins

Here’s how to make a face mask with vinyl window:

Step 1: Cut out the fabric for your face mask with vinyl window

Print off the free download. Cut out the pattern and tape along the two dotted lines. This will give you a larger piece to use for the face mask. Cut two pieces of the fabric mask. And one piece of the vinyl.

Step 2: Sew a seam around the window opening

Start by sewing a seam around the opening in the center of the mask that will be used to place the vinyl. Cut a diagonal 1/8″ slit in each of the 4 corners of the opening. Sew a seam on both pieces of your mask, the front and the back.

Do this by pressing the sides around the window down. Then pin down the four sides of the window. Sew a seam around the window. Repeat this step for both pieces of fabric.

Step 3: Sew the vinyl piece onto the face mask

Take the top piece of the face mask and pin the vinyl over the window. Making sure you do not pin on the vinyl that will be showing in the window. You do not want any holes in your face covering. This defeats the purpose of using the mask. 🙂 Sew a seam around the window.

Tip: Since vinyl is a heavier fabric it works well to use a longer stitch, with a leather or denim needle. Also I recommend turning the tension up higher on the feed dogs. I also sewed with the vinyl on the under side and the fabric on top. This seemed to work better for me.

Step 4: Sew the outside of the mask

Now that the vinyl is sewn around the window opening of the mask. Pin the right sides of the mask together, sew around the outside of the masks with a 1/4″ in seam. Leaving the two ends of the mask open.

Turn the face mask right side out.

On this mask I didn’t sew the bottom portion of the mask. I was unsure if I would be able to turn it right side out easily. It is easy to turn the mask right side out. So this was not necessary. Sew the entire edge of the outside of the mask before turning it right side out.

Step 5: Sew a top stitch around the vinyl window of the mask

With the face mask right side out, sew a stitch around the vinyl window. Securing both pieces of the cotton together around the window.

Step 6: Sew elastic on the ends of the mask

Taking the two ends of the mask. Sew a 1/4″ seam to close the ends of the mask.

Take your elastic or hair tie. I used hair ties with this mask and fold the face mask over the hair tie. Fold 1/2″ of the mask over the hair tie and sew closed.

Now try on the mask and make any adjustments necessary for the fit of the mask.

And now you have a face mask with a vinyl window!

As someone who really appreciates expression, I love these masks! I think they are great for children too because it is so good for them to connect with us through smiles.

If you have sewed with vinyl before I would love to hear if you have any additional tips below in the comments.

TIP: If you don’t want the mask to fog up while talking and breathing. It helps to wipe the mask with some dish soap and a rag before using it. Just be careful to wipe it off because you don’t want to inhale soap all day.

And here is my friend Megan’s son’s teachers sporting their new face mask with vinyl windows! Pretty cool, right?