Introduction: Eye Mask + Pattern
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About: Hi! I'm a slightly feral mountain hermit that likes to be helpful. I do community management at Instructables & Tinkercad. 🙌 Want to hear me chat about making? Search "CLAMP Podcast" on YouTube or your favorit…
This instructable will teach you how to sew your own eye mask. It's a little oversized and has excellent light defeating properties. :D You can fill it with anything you like - my personal favorites are jasmine rice and dried lavender, but this time I am choosing to just line it with felt.
I've included a basic eye mask pattern which you can alter as needed. This eye mask uses very little fabric and just a tiny bit of elastic and is very easy to sew. It's such a small project you can even sew it by hand! It's also a good candidate for adding some embroidery or razzle dazzle. Whatever you want!
I've included a basic eye mask pattern which you can alter as needed. This eye mask uses very little fabric and just a tiny bit of elastic and is very easy to sew. It's such a small project you can even sew it by hand! It's also a good candidate for adding some embroidery or razzle dazzle. Whatever you want!
Step 1: What You'll Need:
- eye mask pattern (included on this step)
- scissors
- pins
- sewing machine or thread + needle
- 1/4 inch or wider elastic
- fabric of choice (something medium or heavy is best - upholstery fabric is great here!)
- felt for lining and/or something to fill the mask
Attachments
Step 2: Print the Pattern and Cut Out Pieces!
Cut out the mask and pin liberally to your fabric, then cut it out.
If you want a felt lining, do the same with the felt.
If you want a felt lining, do the same with the felt.
Step 3: Measure Elastic and Pin Everything Together.
To measure your elastic, hold one end at the outside edge of your right eye, stretch it gently with the other hand and pull the other end of the elastic around the back of your head until you reach the outer edge of your left eye. Hold this spot with the fingers of your left hand and trim.
Place one side of the mask on the table, right side facing up. Pin the elastic to the right edge as shown, then pin to the other edge. Bunch the elastic in the middle of the mask.
Lay the other half of the mask right side down on the first. If you're using felt, place that on top.
Now pin everything together! Leave a space a little wider than normal between two pins - this will let you know where to avoid sewing. You'll turn the mask right side out there.
Place one side of the mask on the table, right side facing up. Pin the elastic to the right edge as shown, then pin to the other edge. Bunch the elastic in the middle of the mask.
Lay the other half of the mask right side down on the first. If you're using felt, place that on top.
Now pin everything together! Leave a space a little wider than normal between two pins - this will let you know where to avoid sewing. You'll turn the mask right side out there.
Step 4: Sew and Trim!
First remove all the pins! To remove the ones holding the elastic to the mask, slip your fingers between the two pieces of cloth the mask is made of and pull the pins out.
Starting at the right edge of where you want your opening to be, sew all around the mask using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, ending at the pin marking the left side of the opening.
Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing line.
Clip your strings and then cut the excess felt away very close to the sewing line. (Maybe leave 1/8 inch?)
Go back around (with pinking shears if you have them!) and cut away the excess fabric and elastic, leaving 1/4 inch or less, except for the opening - leave the full amount there! You'll be turning this in and sewing over it to close the opening.
Starting at the right edge of where you want your opening to be, sew all around the mask using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, ending at the pin marking the left side of the opening.
Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing line.
Clip your strings and then cut the excess felt away very close to the sewing line. (Maybe leave 1/8 inch?)
Go back around (with pinking shears if you have them!) and cut away the excess fabric and elastic, leaving 1/4 inch or less, except for the opening - leave the full amount there! You'll be turning this in and sewing over it to close the opening.
Step 5: Turn It Right Side Out, Fold in the Opening and Topstitch the Edges!
To turn the mask right side out, reach into the opening between the two pieces of the mask and begin to pull the insides out. You'll want to do this slowly and carefully so you don't rip any stitches. :)
Gently tuck the excess fabric of the opening into the opening so that it folds over itself and forms a nice clean, curved line as shown in the second photo.
Once this is done, topstitch the entire edge of the eye mask using a 1/4 seam allowance. This will make the mask look more professional, let it lay flatter, and close the opening.
Gently tuck the excess fabric of the opening into the opening so that it folds over itself and forms a nice clean, curved line as shown in the second photo.
Once this is done, topstitch the entire edge of the eye mask using a 1/4 seam allowance. This will make the mask look more professional, let it lay flatter, and close the opening.
Step 6: And You're Done!
Enjoy being able to take naps anywhere, anytime!