An eye mask makes a great little gift for a friend or family member, and it's an inexpensive and easy project. Even if you have limited sewing experience, you can whip up this comfy mask in about half an hour.
Easy DIY Fleece Eye Mask
Because this mask uses so little fabric, you may already have all the supplies you need in your stash. If not, you can pick up small fabric remnants at your local craft store for a few dollars apiece.
Things You'll Need
- Computer and printer
- Scrap of fleece fabric
- Scrap of cotton fabric
- 18 inches of 1/4-inch elastic
- Sewing machine and matching thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Iron
What to Do
- Start by printing out the free eye mask pattern. Simply click on the image, save it to your computer, and print. If you have any trouble using the printable, take a look at these helpful tips.
- Cut out the pattern and pin it to your fleece fabric. Use it as a guide to cut out a fleece piece in the shape of the eye mask. Then repeat this process with the cotton fabric.
- Stack the two pieces with their right sides together. Place pins in the four spots marked with an "X" on the pattern.
- Use your sewing machine to sew from one top "X" to the other top "X" using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sew from one bottom "X" to the other bottom "X" in the same way.
- Turn the mask right side out through one of the side openings. Use your iron to lightly press it, but be careful to use a setting appropriate for fleece.
- Cut the elastic into two equal pieces. You'll be using it to create loops that will go around each ear and hold your mask in place. Pin one piece of elastic at each top "X" as marked on the pattern.
- Hold the eye mask up to your face, and adjust the elastic so that it fastens around your ears and connects to the mask at the bottom "X" on each side. Use a pin to hold it in place. Double check the fit to make sure the eye mask is secure and comfortable.
- Carefully tuck the raw edges under by 1/4 inch on each open end of the mask. Use pins to hold them in place.
- Set your sewing machine stitch length to 3.0 and top stitch all the way around the mask about 1/8 inch from the edge. This will secure the elastic and finish the open ends, so you can remove the pins.
Embellishment Ideas
You can keep your eye mask simple if you like, or you can use one of these ideas to give it some additional personality:
- Use a plain cotton fabric for the exterior of the mask, and embroider closed eyes and eyelashes on it.
- Add buttons to accent the spots where the elastic attaches to the mask. You could also add fabric roses, bows, or another embellishment.
- Use fabric paint to personalize the mask with a message or name.
- Cut out felt cat-eye glasses or sunglasses and applique them to the cotton side of the mask before you assemble it.
- Instead of cotton, use a fancy apparel fabric for the outside of the mask. Consider velvet, satin, silk, or a sequined material.
- For a goofy look, hot glue googly eyes to the cotton side of the mask.
Cozy and Sweet
Whether you choose to embellish the basic fleece eye mask or keep it simple and sweet, you'll love how easy and fun it is to create this adorable accessory. Add a fleece blanket, some good tea, and a great book to create a gift that's all about keeping cozy.
