Love them or hate them, face masks look like they are here to stay. So, why not customise yours to make them unique to you? Here is a face mask embroidery tutorial to get you into the creative mood.
I have teamed up with Design Bundles on this crafty project, to inspire myself and you to get creative. The theme of this is to create face mask embroidery that is unique and creative to you, to really customise face masks. Let’s be real, some face masks could just do with a bit of sprucing up, couldn’t they?
I will show you how I created two designs using design bundles and how you can use the same techniques to design yours.
Who are Design Bundles?
Design Bundles started in July 2016, to provide their customers with various digital products that are affordable. This ranges from graphics, craft files, illustrations to embroidery design. There are so many products available to pique your creative side and make some really unique crafty projects.
Design Bundles kindly supplied a gift box to help get creative and create these lovely face mask embroidery designs.
Now, I am not a stranger to a bit of embroidery, testing my skills out to make an embroidery wall art piece. So, I was super excited to have a go at transferring some designs onto the face masks that were provided.
Face mask Embroidery – Gift Package
The gift pack contained two plain face masks from the wonderful Buenas Mascarillas. These are slightly different in design from the face masks that I made a few months ago and are so comfy on the face. There was also an embroidery kit included by Stitch with Skye, and a needle minder by Chapel View Crafts. To help create an embroidery design is this lovely little notebook by Ruby and Bo Shop, that also helps the bees. Yes, the cover is seed-filled, so you can plant it once you have finished with the notebook. How cool is that?
In the pack, there was also a zipper pouch, perfect for carrying the masks out and about, as well as some embroidery scissors and a lovely yellow smiley face bag.
Jump to see the Video Version of this post
Face Mask Embroidery – Design 1
The first design is floral and encompasses the letter ‘A’ for Aimsy. This is a lovely simple design but with a feminine flair. The grey mask really makes the embroidery thread colours pop.
To transfer the design onto the mask, I used a pin and mark style. Using a large needle to poke holes around the outline of the design, then going over these holes with a water erasable pen to mark the design. I found I had to lift the design a few times and mark by eye with this method. The marker didn’t always make it through the needle holes of the design.
I also improvised an embroidery hoop. I found that the hoop in the kit sent was too big, so used a cookie cutter and some elastic bands to secure the face mask in place. It wasn’t the best method but allows the mask to be pulled a bit tighter to sew the design. Ideally use a smaller embroidery hoop, but there is nothing wrong with a bit of creative improvisation every once in a while. That’s what crafting is all about, isn’t it?
Stitch 1 – Backstitch
To create the design, use a backstitch for the outline of the letter. This is a great stitch for creating outlines. All you need to do is, create a stitch, then bring the needle up away from this, bringing the stitch down to the end of the first stitch. Hope that makes sense!
Stitch 2 – French Knot Stitch
This is a simple stitch to create a round shape on the design. Use this for the centre of the flower. To create the french knot stitch, bring the needle up through where you want it to be. Then angle the needle sideways/horizontal and wrap the main part of the thread around the needled two to three times. Keeping hold of the thread, holding this slightly taught, place the needle back down into the fabric, close to where it was brought up through. This should then create a round knot shape on top of the fabric.
Stitch 3 – Straight Stitch
Use the straight stitch to create the flower parts of the design. This is a simple one to do, as you just create a stitch, however long you need it. Alternate the lengths of the stitches and colour thread to create the definition of the petals. I went for light in the middle then darker towards the edges.
Stich 4 – Stem Stitch
To create the stems of the flowers, use a stem stitch. To create this stitch, firstly create one straight stitch. Then bring the needle up through the middle of this, but not through the stitch, before creating another stitch from there. Make sure the thread is always brought up on the same side of the stitch as you go along.
Stitch 5 – Fishbone Stitch
The fishbone stitch is commonly used to create leaf patterns in embroidery. The leaves on this design are small, but you can still get a really nice effect with the fishbone stitch. Start at the top of the leaf and create a stitch in the centre of this, not stitching too far down. Then, bring the needle up to the top of that stitch but to one side, bringing it down to the bottom of the first stitch. Next return the needle up through the top on the opposite side, again bringing it down to the bottom. Keep going in this manner until the leaf is complete.
Then the first face mask is ready to go!
Face Mask Embroidery – Design 2
The next design is inspired by my love of Greece, which I have not been able to visit this year. I chose a simple design of the evil eye, and a Greek key.
To transfer the design, I placed this on a light source (window) and placed the mask over it. Then, using the erasable marker traced the design onto the mask.
The design on this mask was a bit simpler than the first and uses most of the stitches detailed above. However, use the satin stitch to fill in the shading for the eye.
Stitches – Backstitch, Stem Stitch & French Knot
To complete the outline of the eye, use a backstitch. Then, for the eyelashes use the decorative stem stitch, finishing off each end with a french knot.
Use the backstitch again to outline the circle details of the eye.
For the Greek key part of the design on the opposite side of the mask, a backstitch is used once again. This part is a little more difficult, due to the size of the design, but I think it has turned out great!
Stitch – Satin Stitch
To fill in the shaded parts of the eye, use a satin stitch. A satin stitch is very similar to a straight stitch, however, you place the stitches close together. Bring the needle up through the fabric and create a straight stitch. Then bring it back up through the fabric, next to the start of the first stitch, creating the next stitch. Keep going on in this fashion until the area is complete. Depending on the design, the stitch length may need to be altered.
Finish the centre of the design with a french knot stitch in the same dark colour used on the first circle of the eye.
Use water to dissolve the marker pen and the embroidered face mask is ready to go!
What do you think of these designs? What design would you have on your mask? Let me know in the comments below!
Face Mask Embroidery – Video:
Here is the video version of the post. Don’t forget to like and subscribe if you have enjoyed the video. Happy Crafting!
Face Mask Embroidery – Pin it!
If you enjoyed this post, why not share the love and pin it for later?
I absolutely love these! I love the eye one in particular. I think it’s great that people are getting creative with face masks and even better if you can create your own designs!
I think the eye one is my favourite too! Definitley, its a great way to show your personality, isn’t it?
Thanks for commenting!
Aimsy xoxo
I’m always in awe of your skills, Aimsy, and this post is no exception. My personal favourite is the eye, I’m a huge Turcophile so this reminds me of happy days in Kalkan. But both are lovely – I think they’d make great gifts as well. You are very clever 🙂 x
Aww, thanks Lisa! I have to agree, I am drawn to the eye too. The evil eye goes across so many cultures, doesn’t it?
Definitely would make great gifts!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Oo, I love the eye the best! That blue and gold is so eye-catching.
I got a plain linen face mask the other day and it was just that; a little too plain. I was not sure how to juice it up so I love the inspiration to do a little embroidery; I have a box of threads and the time.
Thanks so much for sharing!
The colours just contrast each other so well, don’t they? It’s the perfect way to jazz up a plain face mask, plus it is quite relaxing to do too! Hope you enjoy crafting, and glad this could give you a bit of inspiration!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Awe this is such a cute idea. I work at a dentist office so I usually just wear our basic surgical masks that we wear there everywhere I go. But I need to get me a cute mask!
Thank you! I have loved customising these! Like you, I have to wear the basic surgical masks all day at work too, so it is nice to be able to add a bit of personality and flair to the ones I wear outside of work.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
This is such a gorgeous idea, I’ve bought my masks from small businesses, but I definitely want to try and be more crafty with them!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Thanks, Amie! Such a great way to spruce up a plain mask, isn’t it? You will have to show me yours if you decide to give this a go!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
I love these face masks Aimsy, especially the one with the eye, this is such a great way to make masks more fun to wear! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Glad you like them, Lucy! I love the eye one too, the colour contrasts are just . Defintely makes them a bit more fun to wear!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
These look great! I love Design Bundles and have used the website for a while now (both through work and personally).
There are so many beautiful designs on there, isn’t there? It was so hard to choose what I wanted to do because there were so many!
Glad you like them and thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
This is such a good idea, and it makes the idea of wearing them a little more fun as well. It’s nice to have one that’s custom as well. Sounds like a fun task if you’re still spending more time indoors than usual x
Sophie
Glad you like them. Defintley makes them a bit more personal to you, doesn’t it? A perfect craft for when the weather is a bit bleak, like today!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Oh, this i such a good idea and I honestly did not think of this! It would also be a more affordable option for people who want to mix and match their masks with their ‘fits. Great tutorial, and I love the flower combo you chose!
Definitely makes it more affordable, doesn’t it? anda great way to express yourself through the mask. The flowers turned out great, didn’t they?
Glad you liked and thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
These are so pretty. Its such a great idea and way of personalising your mask.
Glad you like them. Yes, such a good way of personalising them!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing about Design Bundles and what they offer! If we are required to wear a face mask… it might as well be adorable! 🙂
They have so many designs available…and they also have free ones too to try out. Definitely, might as well make the face mask pretty, especially if they are going to be around for a while!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
These are so beautiful!! I love them! Especially the eye one! Thank you for sharing.
Glad you like them. Yeah, the eye one is secretly my favourite too.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
This is such a terrific tutorial! I never thought to add embroidery to a face mask, what an interesting idea.
Glad you like it! It definitely changes up the face masks, doesn’t it?
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
All of these look so great!
I especially love the one with the eye! ☺️
I don’t think I’ll ever have the patience to make one of my own but I’ll recommend this post to my creative friends!
Love Lozza x
http://girlygabble.com
Thank you! Glad you like them. I think the eye one has been a firm favourite with everyone.
It does take a bit of patience, but once you get into it, it is quite relaxing to do.
Thanks for commenting!
Aimsy xoxo
What a great way to personalize your mask! (Did you ever think we would be saying that prior to 2020?). Thanks for sharing.
What a crazy year…I don’t think we would have imagined doing anything we have been at the start of the year!
Glad you liked them!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
These masks look great!
Glad you liked them!
Aimsy xoxo
They make for an ideal personalised gift this holiday season. I liked the one with the eye detail. You got great skills by the way.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Definitely would make a great gift. There is something about a handmade gift isn’t there?
The eye one seems to be a favourite! Thank you and thank you for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy,
This is such a fabulous post. Loved the different embroidery stitches that you have explained. Fishbone is my most favourite. Thanks.
Aww, thank you. So glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful! Yes, I love how the fishbone stitch turns out. It’s hard to see what it will look like until you have completed about half of it.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
OMG these are amazing! You are so talented! I love the step by step guide I think I will try giving my own face mask a makeover.
Glad you like them and find the step by step useful. Would love to see yours if you do give it a go!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
A little work of art! And a great idea – I think I’ll also embroider a mask for myself.
Glad you like them! It just adds something else to the mask, doesn’t it?
Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aimsy xoxo