Chic Masquerade – DIY Mask & Template

If you need a last minute Halloween costume, look no further. I found inspiration from various places like Free People and Screaming Mimi’s (of which this DIY is based) and figured out a way to get the chic look for less. I wanted to recreate this intricate mask with things you’d find at home in your craft cupboard. This way you can save major money and have fun at the same time. (A great thing about a mask is that it’s not just for Halloween— if you have any other holiday masquerades or costume parties in the next few months, you can use this mask!)

You’ll need tulle or sheer fabric (I used tulle), fabric scissors, ribbon, black fabric paint, saran wrap, tape and my mask template [below].

Print out the template and place on table. Then tape a piece of plastic wrap over it.

Cut out your tulle to at least 10″x5″ and tape on top of plastic wrap.

Make sure everything is taped down securely and start tracing the black part of the template with fabric paint.

Let it dry overnight.  Gently peel tulle away from saran wrap.

Cut out around the mask, including eyeholes.

Cut two pieces of ribbon 20″ each. Spread a little fabric glue on the tips and attach them to the mask. Let dry 1-2 hours. (You can trim the strands shorter if you like, just make sure it will tie around your head before cutting!)

Pair with a classic look, casual or dressy, and let the festivities begin!

(I’m wearing: Stylemint shirt, Express belt, Style & Co dress, UO tights, Nine West heels, Revlon ‘Fire & Ice’ lipstick)

________________________________________________________________________

Click the photo to download it full size. Don’t scale it down in the print settings- everything will fit on standard 8.5×11″ paper.

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*UPDATE*

Click here to see the glitter version!

Click here for 4 new mask templates!

This entry was posted in diy, freebies and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

155 Responses to Chic Masquerade – DIY Mask & Template

  1. MJ
    Twitter:
    says:

    Oh shoot, I think I can actually do this one! How creative is this?? I would have never thought of that and it does make an awesome last minute Halloween costume. (DIY people like you save the DIY challenged like me a lot of money!) :)
    MJ recently posted..The Pumpkin Perfecting Facial at the Eau Spa

  2. L. Figment
    Twitter:
    says:

    Wow! That is an amazing idea! I love it.

  3. Lia
    Twitter:
    says:

    Wow, this is INCREDIBLE!! I love it, you look great with it on, and it is so chic!!!! Great job, Kara!!!
    xoxo
    Lia
    http://www.smartnsnazzy.com
    Twitter: @smartnsnazzy
    Lia recently posted..DIY ~ Old Sweater to New Sweater Refashion

  4. Bex says:

    wow this is amazing and looks great on
    will definatly try it out :)
    bex xx
    Bex recently posted..Glass lanterns

  5. Aly B.
    Twitter:
    says:

    What a great way to do a mask! It came out so well. Love.

    <3
    -Aly @ http://therosealley.com/
    Aly B. recently posted..Exit Strategy

  6. Bella Q
    Twitter:
    says:

    And yet another AMAZING D.I.Y.
    You’ve got a knack, chica!
    Bella Q recently posted..outfit post: Call of the Wild

  7. Josie says:

    This is GORGEOUS! You did such a fabulous job.
    xo Josie
    http://www.winksmilestyle.com

  8. Such a great idea!!!!
    Sara @ Gameday Stylist recently posted..[georgia garb]

  9. Kate S says:

    This is really really awesome!! I dont know if I have a steady enough hand for this but I would be willing to give it a try!! :D

    ~Kate

    http://www.kate-inspired.blogspot.com

  10. wida says:

    Umm…WOW! This is such a great DIY!! Good for last minute costumes!!

    Wida
    Missing Amsie Blog

  11. You are such a great DIY person! I swear, I’m so obsessed with your blog, the layout, the photos, your flawless face, your crafty posts….

    I love everything about Sprinkles in Springs.
    Lauren Nicole recently posted..New hair do

  12. Kristin says:

    What a gorgeous mask! You did an amazing job!
    Kristin recently posted..BonBon Deal of the Day: Handbag

  13. That mask is really cool :D
    Noora Katariina recently posted..WOMAN’S FALL WINTER 2011 FASHION SHOW

  14. FASHION TALES
    Twitter:
    says:

    Love this mask. so cute! I agree and have worn masks not just for Halloween. Great job!
    -xo
    FASHION TALES recently posted..DIY-Accessories: Miss Violet + Mr. Zip

  15. Stephanie says:

    this is the most brilliant idea for a mask i’ve seen.
    holy crap.
    sorry for the language but seriously. SUCH a great idea!

  16. Mary Ann
    Twitter:
    says:

    This is a super cool DIY – I love it!
    Mary Ann recently posted..IFB Links À La Mode: November 3rd

  17. Dree Harper says:

    love it! (and that shade of lipstick on you, too!) added your link to my blog today. :)
    Dree Harper recently posted..DIY (fashion) FRIDAY

  18. Brenda says:

    Hi I still can download the mask. Any ideas? I tried to copy paste and it didnt work and when I click it on and then print image it would print to big… thanks love this mask

  19. Randi says:

    This is a wonderful idea. I’m having a problem getting it to form to my face though. Like it flops down. Any ideas?

  20. Michelle says:

    I tried this, several times, but my tulle and paint stuck to the saran wrap, and my mask ended up in the garbage. Is there a certain type of saran wrap I should use? or would wax paper work better?

    • Kara
      Twitter:
      says:

      You can try wax paper on a small piece of tulle and a blob of paint to see if that would work- I haven’t tried that so you can tell me how it goes. But make sure the saran wrap is stretched and taped tight so there’s no creases and it’s just a smooth surface you’re working on. And pull the mask off the saran wrap when it’s still taped to the table. That might be why it’s sticking for you. Let me know if that helps!

  21. Emily
    Twitter:
    says:

    AMAZING!
    I needed a mask for a 16th I’m going to this weekend and this is PERFECT.

    now I’m off to paint my nails using the ‘turquoise stone inspired nails’ idea.. so glad I found your blog :3
    Emily recently posted..Photo

  22. Little Red says:

    This is so lovely! I can’t wait for mardi gras now!

  23. mel says:

    This is so clever! So much better than buying those generic masks that you have to squint through and don’t fit your face at all. Now all I need is a masquerade party…
    mel recently posted..Wet Bag Tutorial

  24. Anna Meg says:

    You could also skip the ribbon completely and just use some eyelash glue (placed strategically) to secure it..one year I dressed as a garden gnome and the beard wouldn’t stay put no matter how hard I tried and that was the trick! :)

  25. michelle says:

    what a cool idea! i’ve always loved the filigree masquerade masks but could never come up with a good way to replicate it, thanks for the tutorial!!
    michelle recently posted..tutorial: travel kit organzier

  26. staci says:

    BRILLIANT! Thank you so much for sharing this – AND it’s beautiful!

  27. deniquo
    Twitter:
    says:

    do i need to tell you how much i adore such masks! this is just awesome.. and so easy that i won’t mind making a bunch of them for friends -really close ones i mean lol!
    deniquo recently posted..The Secret Garden Kitap Portföy – Book Clutch

  28. What a Wonderfull Idea!!!

    Fabulous!!!

    Kiss, Lola

    http://www.mumhug.com

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  30. Heather says:

    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!! My little sister is getting married in New Orleans and we were discussing doing masques for the bachelorette party. In my research I found you could either have pretty masques, or cheap masques. This will be cheap and pretty AND I can do it in the wedding colors!! Awesome!

  31. Marla says:

    Went to a masquerade ball recently, and wish I would have seen this tutorial! Beautiful!

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  33. Wendy says:

    So gorgeous. And open to so much customization. I pinned this early today on Pinterest and it was a HUGE hit!
    Wendy recently posted..Buster’s Tie

  34. stacy
    Twitter:
    says:

    I can’t believe I just saw this now! We helped decorate a wedding last weekend and needed some DIY props for the photobooth–this would have been perfect!

    Anyway, I’ve just made one and it’s drying as we speak–at least we’ll be prepared for the next wedding!

  35. Suzy says:

    I was looking for a DIY Masquerade mask to make for my friends upcoming Masquerade Party, and i just stumbled across this and fell in love! It’s such a brilliant idea, it’s a must have! Thank you!

  36. Ashton Ricks
    Twitter:
    says:

    Please Help!! I absolutely love these, GENIUS but it wont let me print it full scale. When I clicked on the picture, it pulled it up as a webpicture and when I print it, it print only half of the mask. I tried to save it and print it but it only would print it in 4×6. I need this for a surprise party next weekend, please help!

  37. stephanie says:

    Great Idea!! Maybe instead of plastic wrap use wax paper, then for sure it won’t stick to the paper when peeling…Im going to try it, you can also free style cob webs design and make cute placemats or little trivet style things to put on table for halloween.

  38. Kiersten says:

    Oh my gosh! so cool where did you find the template?

  39. Bleh Kitty says:

    Think of all the possiblities! You could make all sorts of masks, not just the one that you made the template for.

  40. judi
    Twitter:
    says:

    {♥} …thank you for sharing.

  41. Flaming June says:

    Do you think fixing to your face with spirit gum would work instead of using a ribbon?

  42. Willow
    Twitter:
    says:

    Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this. As someone who wears glasses I’ve never been able to get a mask that would go under or over my glasses, with this I’ll be able to wear my glasses! I know it wont look as cool as without but I’ll have a mask AND be able to see :D

    Not sure if I actually have a halloween thing to go to this year but I will be making it at some point!

    Thanks again

  43. mirna lora says:

    OMGGGGGGGGGGGG love this it is beautiful :3

  44. Public Service Announcement- I tried this today, using contact paper instead of Saran Wrap. I had hoped that the contact paper-template-cardboard sandwich would allow me to have a reusable template. FAIL. The contact paper stuck miserably to the painted tulle. Next time, I’ll use plastic wrap, as per your instructions!!! :D
    The Errant Cook recently posted..Cooking With Kids: Flatbread and Tzatziki Sauce

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  46. I love this project, it’s so cleaver and easy!
    Well done! :D
    matter of style recently posted..DIY from the runway: get ready for plastic chains

  47. cat says:

    I’m having trouble printing the template. It will only print out a small scale of the template and when i make it bigger, it prints on two pieces of paper. Help? Thanks much

  48. vivianne soares says:

    Hey! I just made this and mu tulle doesnt want to come out of the plastic and if i force it the lines stay in the plastic, not in the tulle! Do u have any advice?

  49. Clover Macau says:

    I have the same problem, I have taped the plastic and the tulle to the table but when I peel off the tulle the drawing stays in the plastic!

    • Jesslin says:

      It might be the kind of fabric paint you’re using. The Tulip brand is pretty plasticy and three dimensional, so if you’re using a thinner/different brand, it might not work the same way. Look for a three dimensional type of paint and it will probably work better.

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  51. Rhiannon says:

    This is so great!!! Full of possibilities!!! Does the puff paint have too be black? Or can we explore with the rainbow? (:

  52. Pingback: Crafts | Pearltrees

  53. Amanda says:

    When I click the picture to download it and then print, without doing any adjustments, only one corner of the mask prints on the page…. :-(

  54. Donedin says:

    aaaaand your a genius.

  55. Pingback: Halloween | Pearltrees

  56. parastou says:

    Hey,

    This is amazing. i’m making 30 of these for a friends surprise birthday – how much fabric paint did you use to make one? i have no idea how much i need to buy!

    thanks!
    P

    • Kara
      Twitter:
      says:

      Cool! I really have no idea how much you will need but I’m sure a larger bottle of the fabric paint will be more than enough, it didn’t take that much paint. Or maybe 2-3 smaller ones just to be safe, they’re not that expensive so I always get a little more than I think I need so I don’t have to make a special trip to the store for a $1 bottle of paint. Good luck, and I’d love to see pictures from the party!! xx

  57. Leeanna says:

    I love this! Thank you for showing me how to make a beautiful mask. :)
    Leeanna recently posted..Red Victorian Earrings by LeeannasJewelryBox

  58. Meghan says:

    So, I did this, and am so happy with the results! I did mine in blue, but filled in the holes with white glitter, then embellished the mask a little by adding pearls. I’m so excited, because the masquerade is Saturday, and I think I’ll have the awesomest homemade mask! Thank you!!

    • Kara
      Twitter:
      says:

      Wow that sounds so pretty, kind of wintery with the colors you picked! The pearls are a nice touch. I’d love to see a photo. You can email it or post it on my fb page :) Have a great time at your party! xx

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  61. Shannon says:

    Love this!! Made a bunch for the people I’m walking with for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Walk

  62. Janice says:

    I’m having a hard time with it being tacky after I am completely done and having it stick to itself, and then getting ruined :( Any ideas?

  63. Alex Powell says:

    Im having issues with my mask and it keeps bunching up at the nose. Any suggestions on how to stop that? Thanks love this diy mask!

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  65. Holly says:

    I can’t get the mask to print out at the right size. Way too small. ]:

  66. Pingback: DIY Halloween Inspiration «

  67. ro says:

    I was just wondering where you possibly got your template? I love this idea but am an awful drawer, especially with filigree, and I would love to see if there were other/different patterns.

  68. Alexis says:

    Hey yall! If you’re having problems getting the mask to seperate from the saran wrap, put a very very thin layer of vaseline on the saran wrap before you tape the tulle down for painting. It only took me 3 tries to figure that one out, but once I did that the painted mask seperated from the saran wrap without issue!

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  71. Sasha Farnsworth says:

    I just made this! Thank you so much for the inspiration and pattern!!! You are awesome!!

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  75. Jenny says:

    Cut a ziplock bag into a large square.
    Use that instead of the saran wrap. The mask will be able to peel off easily.

  76. Pingback: Jessica Lydall (mistydaze) | Pearltrees

  77. Andrea says:

    Thanks for sharing this, My hubbys company party next month is a masquerade and this looks perfect for it.

  78. Marie says:

    Thank you for the excellent pattern. Your directions were clear and easy to follow. My daughter’s mask. My daughter’s mask. http://itsaboutartanddesign.blogspot.com/2012/10/easy-diy-lacy-style-fancy-mask.html

  79. Michelle E says:

    I made a mask for my four-year-old daughter’s peacock costume and it worked perfectly after I figured out how to solve some issues. I couldn’t get the saran wrap to lay flat enough, which caused the paint to go through the tulle rather than sit on it. The solution was a sheet of transparency film that I happened to have from an old overhead projecter. Then I couldn’t get the dried mask off the film, but after a few minutes in the freezer, it popped right off. I didn’t have any eyelash adhesive, but I didn’t want the strings to be visible. I had some stretchy clear string for jewelry making (I think it’s called Magic String) that I attached with a hot glue gun, and it was invisible once the mask was on. Thanks for the amazing idea–I know I’ll be using this in the future.

  80. Eliza
    Twitter:
    says:

    THIS IS AWESOME! And to think I was fretting over how to stand out in the crowd and with my small budget! THANKYOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL POST AND DIY TIP! ^~^

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  84. Stephanie says:

    Last night I made a white mask with iridescent glitter and I love it! It’s for a masquerade ball coming up at the end of November. I would post a picture but I’m not sure it will let me. Thank you so much for the tutorial! :)

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  88. candi says:

    I want to make this but I can’t get the template to load! HELP!!!!

  89. Pingback: DIY Project: Fabric Paint Mask | I Love. Therefore, I Cook.

  90. Lyla Rose says:

    This is AMAZING! We have a company Christmas masquerade at the end of the week and I wanted a dainty mask to match a lace dress I have- this is cheap and will look amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

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  92. Loretta Karlov says:

    I would love to make this but I can’t as it won’t let me download the template! HELP!!!!

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  96. A says:

    Thanks for share, with your tutorial I’ve already done mine for New Year’s Eve party!
    Have a look

  97. Monica Lee says:

    Hi Kara,

    This is an AWESOME DIY project with great results and completely doable! You’ve inspired me to be more creative and save money! However, I was wondering if you’ve ever done any asymmetrical (half face) or other types of templates? I really like this mask I saw on a movie (Step Up 4-restaurant dance) that I really want for my next masquerade dance but it costs about $100. I was wondering/hoping if you could possibly do a template for it or help me do one (I’m not much of an artist AT ALL!)? I realize you did this about a year ago but it would really awesome if you could reply or help me out! Your craft is going EVERYWHERE on pinterest :) Below are two links of the mask I’m looking forward to possibly making!

    http://www.justposhmasks.com/uploads/products/white_filigree_metal_mask_PHANTOM31.jpg
    (minus the chains under the right eye)

    or this mask displays it better
    http://www.justposhmasks.com/product/661/Filigree_Metal_Masquerade_Mask_-_HALF_PHANTOM

    and if that link doesn’t work, something like this:
    http://cdn-5.create.net/siteimages/5/0/3/50308/426133/f_152311.jpg

    I’ve tried to get pictures with the masks as flat as they can get but I feel like it’s not going to ever work because they’re curved/rounded still.

    Let me know if you can help please! :)

    Thanks,
    Monica

  98. Jennah says:

    Hi Kara!

    Me&a friend of mine we’re really inspired, and made our own versions for NYE. You can find the post here: http://lipstickandawhitetee.blogspot.com/2013/01/diy-lace-mask.html , I of course gave you some link love :)

    J

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  103. Chelsea Ward says:

    I loved making these masks! I did a version of it with my kiddos this past week too: http://sketchy-notions.blogspot.com/2013/02/venetian-puffy-paint-masks.html
    Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

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  106. Ashly Erickson says:

    I am trying to print the templete but it will not print properly, it only pints like a third of it huge. So i tried taking it to word but then its too elongated. How do you print it????

  107. Hi Kara, I just wanted to tell you that I absolutely LOVE what you’ve done with these masks and your tutorial!

    I am from a mask company, and we have many types of plain bases that can be used for decorating and creating masquerade masks….we would love to donate some masks to you for use in another tutorial if you’d like. I entered my email above so you should have it. Just wanted to extend the invitation :)

    Keep up all your great work here!

    Lexi

  108. Claire says:

    Hi, is the saran wrap supposed to be stuck to the back of mask after you remove it? Thanks.

  109. Bridget says:

    Made this for Mardi Gras and received many compliments on it!! Thanks for the instructions!!
    Love from NOLA!

    Pic here: http://instagram.com/bridgetkateri

  110. Geneviève says:

    Que c’est joli! Un tout grand merci! :-)))
    Geneviève recently posted..Allumer les bougies avec… des spaghetti!

  111. Francesca says:

    thank you so much for the idea i struggled to find the fabric paint over here in Italy but glitter gel was just quite right!! its gonna dry over night and i’ll wear it tomorrow for a theme party ;-) amazing and well explained thank you

  112. Dane says:

    woua!!! j’ adore c’ est d’ une élégance!! magnifique c’ est sublimissime , quel travail je me suis inscrite a ta news pour ne pas perdre une seule de tes réalisations a bientôt biz

  113. heather says:

    We are going to a masquerade ball/fundraiser tonight, and I was so excited to try make this mask for myself and a friend rather than spend a bunch of money on something gaudy. A few tricks that I learned:

    1. Print the template twice. cut one of the paper templates out and hold up to your face to see if it is the right size. Obviously people have different sized faces and eyes, and it sounds like it prints out at different sizes depending on your computer/printer… it took me 3 tries before I got the right size for my face

    2. Make time to do a few practice masks. I made four from the first printing of the template, before it dried and I realized it was too small… But it was good practice, so by the time I got to the size that actually fit me (I had to print at 135% of original), it was MUCH easier, and my hand was used to the pattern.

    3. I actually used Glad Press’n'Seal because I didn’t have any regular plastic wrap. It worked great because one side of it is already a little bit sticky, so I was able to get it to stick very smoothly over the template before putting the tulle on top.

    4. If you start with a brand new bottle of paint, it is much harder to control the amount that come out, which makes the finest lines of the design almost impossible…. doing a few practice rounds will help, so by the time you get to that “last” one, there isn’t as much paint in the bottle, and you will be able to control the flow better.

    I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to glue ribbon on, or use eyelash adhesive… at this point I am just hoping they are dry by tonight when I need them. And I also might add a little gold glitter to mine, to go with my gold sparkly shoes and earrings…

    Thanks for the great, creative idea! : )

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  115. geezee says:

    I used your mask tutorial as my participation in a Pinterest Linky party and posted on my site.
    geezee recently posted..Pinterest WIN

  116. Panda says:

    Hi, we are planning a wedding and love this mask but dont have time. Is there any way we can order them from you? How much would you charge?

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  118. Mary Ann says:

    Thanks for posting this – someone just “taught” this at AllCon in Dallas and they did a terrible job. Wrinkled Tulle, nothing taped down, etc.

    If I might add something – if you make the tulle long enough, the mask can morph right into two ties at each side so it is complete in and of itself.

  119. Stacy says:

    If you do not want ribbon, you could use eyelash glue as a skin adhesive and it will peel right off when you take off the masque!

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  121. Bree Carrick
    Twitter:
    says:

    This is such a fun idea! I loved it so much I used it for a dance and posted about it on my blog. You should check it out. I seriously love your creativity, amazing!

    simplybree1.blogspot.com

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