There are a few ways to make a nose wire for face mask projects. In this tutorial I will show you how to add a pipe cleaner to make an adjustable nose mask and also suggest other things you can use as a nose shaper for face masks.
A wire across the top of face mask allows it to be contoured over the nose for a better fit. This also helps those who wear glasses not get foggy glasses and also better protects against germ spread!
Nose Wire Face Mask Material Suggestions:
- Pipe cleaners
- Garden wire
- Jewelry wire
- Twist ties, such as from a bread bag or purchase here
- Metal brackets made for this purpose
If you are creating these as a donation for a hospital or other center, make sure you know their sanitizing process so you can choose a material accordingly.
If you are making them for yourself, choose whatever material you have on hand. I recommend pipe cleaners if you have access to them because they are easy and not as pokey as plain wire.
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Add a nose wire to a mask with binding
To add a wire to a mask that is bound along the top with either binding or bias tape, complete your mask up until the point where you add the top binding.
Sew the top binding from one end until about 2″ from the open edge then stop. Topstitch perpendicular to the binding where shown in the photo below to create a stop for the pipe cleaner.
Cut a piece of your nose wire about 4″ long, depending on how much control you want along the top of the mask. You can use 2 pieces of pipe cleaner if you want a firmer hold.
Slide the pipe cleaner into the casing until it hits the end where you created that stop.
Tuck it all the way in and then finish sewing the binding. You’ll also create another “stop” at the other end of the pipe cleaner to keep it in place.
Finish sewing the mask!
Instructions for elastic mask with wire
To add a wire to the top of an elastic style mask (from this elastic mask tutorial), sew the front and back together at the top. Fold right side out and press.
Place your 4″ pipe cleaner strip on the seam and center. Mark both ends with pins.
Use the marks to create a casing. Leave the end open.
Slip in one or two 4″ lengths of pipe cleaner. Two will make the mask hold better.
Finish the casing.
The continue sewing the mask how you would have without the pipe cleaners.
Thank you! I was told by the medical center we are sewing for not to use pipe cleaners, as they do not dry well. Personal use @home, shopping, etc. is fine.
I have found that using 8 inches of pipe cleaner, doubling it and clamping down the sharp end with jewelry pliers or any pliers you may have, and then making a pocket on the back side of the mask to hold the nose clip securely has worked very well.
Thanks for the idea and information. How do the masks wash with the wire in them?
What size pipe cleaners do you use? I saw 4mm and 6mm on Amazon. I bought the 6mm and they are so flimsy I could hardly push them through the casing. I don’t see how they would keep their shape well enough to be effective. Maybe it’s because there are several layers of fabric across the nose of the pattern I used…main fabric, lining, and double thickness for casing. @beclee101
I took pipe cleaners and folded into 3 — twisted and tuckeg rough ends of wire in — created a casing just below the area I placed tape strings. Sewed casing on one side and bottom. Pipe cleaner can easily be removed and replaced as needed.