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DIY Sleep Mask For Stylish Sleep – Tutorial and Free Pattern

Beauty sleep is so important, that you really don’t want to miss on your zzzs. However this can be a real challenge sometimes if you have kids or have trouble falling asleep. A simple DIY sleep mask can block the light and help you if you have troubles falling asleep, are staying in an unfamiliar place, or just napping during the day.

Did you know that sleep masks are not just for women? They are underrated but very useful sleeping aid that more people should be utilizing. Just try one and you will be left wondering where they have been all your life.

Below you will find my step by step written tutorial how to make a sleep mask with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make a sleep mask

Supplies and tools

DOWNLOAD:  Sleep mask pattern (PDF file)

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How To Sew a DIY Sleep Mask

Watch the diy sleeping mask video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

DIY Sleep mask VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

Pre-wash and dry your fabrics before you start sewing. Download the sleep mask pattern, print it at 100% US letter (no scale) and cut it out.

Tip: don’t use your fabric scissors to cut out the paper pattern – this will dull them fast. Use a separate pair of scissors for cutting patterns and fabrics. 

STEP 1: Cut main fabric

Cut 2 of the main fabric according to the pattern. To do that trace the pattern carefully onto the main fabric using a fabric marker. Silk is notoriously slippery, so take your time and make sure it does not shift around or it will distort the mask. Cut out carefully. You should cut 2 pieces – one for the front and one for the back.

Also cut a fabric strip 30 x 1 3/4″ from the main fabric for the mask strap.

STEP 2: Cut wadding

Trim the paper pattern a tiny bit under the dotted seam allowance line. Pin to wadding and cut the wadding according to the trimmed pattern. The wadding should have enough room to fit inside the diy sleep mask.

STEP 3: Make the sleeping mask strap

Take the fabric strip and fold it in half lengthwise, with right (pretty sides) together and pin it.

Stitch together the long raw edges of the fabric strip using a 1/4″ seam allowance. At this point you should have a long tube of fabric.

STEP 4: Turn the strap right side out

This part is a bit tricky, but we have a tip for you. This tube turner has been a game changer for me. It makes turning long tubes of fabric sooo much easier and faster. Insert the tube turner into the fabric tube, catch the opposite side and gently pull it back. Voila! I told you it is easy

However if you don’t have this handy tool you can use a safety pin.

STEP 5: Insert elastic

Use either the bodkin or a safety pin to insert the elastic into the fabric tube. Pin on either side to keep elastic in place.

STEP 6: Attach mask strap to fabric

Take one of the main fabric pieces and place it on a flat surface with the right side facing up. Place the strap on top of it and pin on either short side. Stitch in place making sure to stitch back and forth several times.

STEP 7: Stitch around

Take the back piece of the main fabric and place it on top of the eye mask assembly, right sides together. Pin in place, leaving an opening at the top for turning. at this point the elastic strap should be sandwiched in the middle.

Stitch around the entire thing using a 3/8″ seam allowance and backstitching at the beginning and the end of the seam to reinforce it.

Tip: to make sure you don’t catch the elastic strap as you sew around the mask use a pin or a clip to hold it in place.

STEP 8: Make notches

Notch small triangles around the seam allowance to allow the seam allowance to lay flat. DO NOT notch the opening and be careful not to snip through your stitching.

STEP 9: Turn inside out and insert wadding

Turn your mask inside out through the opening. Press the mask using an iron, tucking in the seam allowance of the opening.

Insert the wadding through the opening and wiggle it around to smooth it out.

STEP 10: Sew the opening shut

Handsew the opening closed using a ladder (invisible) stitch and a matching thread.

That’s it! Your diy silk sleep mask is ready! Now that you know how to make it, why not make a few more DIY sleep masks to give to your besties? These eye masks are a great gift and if you also sew up a matching scrunchie, you will have a dream gift set for a very stylish sleep.

Do you find our tutorial how to make a sleep mask easy to follow? How did your sleep mask turn out? Do you have suggestions for improvements? Let me know in the comments below!

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 19 comments
Michele Morin - June 26, 2020

Mask making of all kinds is a valuable skill these days!

Reply
    Helen - June 29, 2020

    Yes! If you are tired of making face masks and wanted to make something else for a change, try this. You won’t regret it. Who doesn’t need to be spoiled!

    Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - June 27, 2020

I love it! I use a sleep mask often for naps and I need to start wearing them during this time of year when the sun starts shining in my face at 5:00 am.! Thanks for sharing and linking up with me.

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
    Helen - June 29, 2020

    Thank you so much for the kind words! I wish I knew that sleep masks were so useful much earlier!

    Reply
Michelle - June 30, 2020

Your mask is so pretty! I’ll be featuring it on this week’s Creative Compulsions!

Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

Reply
    Helen - July 8, 2020

    Thanks for the feature, Michelle! I shared your articles with my followers on social media

    Reply
creativejewishmom/sara - June 30, 2020

Love it and perfect to whip up in numbers for gift giving! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

Reply
    Helen - July 8, 2020

    These make perfect gifts that anyone would love receiving!

    Reply
frugal hausfrau - July 3, 2020

I keep thinking a sleep mask would be a great idea! I’ve tried covering, turning off all sources of light but I always let things creep back in! And it’s a pain, doing that too. A mask would solve all that light pollution.

Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday this week!

Mollie

Reply
    Helen - July 8, 2020

    Sleep is hard to come by when you’re traveling, much less on an airplane or in a hotel with see through curtains. I wonder how I lived before I found sleep masks.

    Reply
Gene - July 25, 2020

where do I get the pattern/template?

Reply
    Helen - July 26, 2020

    It’s in the supplies and tools section

    Reply
SleepZee - September 20, 2021

Your mask is very pretty and I like it.

Thank for the tutorial.

Reply
SleepZee - September 20, 2021

Where can I get the pattern/template?

Reply
Carol L - January 13, 2022

THERE IS NO LINK FOR THE VIDEO.
COULD YOU PLEASE INSERT ONE? THANK YOU!!

Reply
    Helen - January 15, 2022

    I fixed the link to the video. Thanks for the heads up!

    Reply
Samantha Winkelman - October 13, 2022

I just made the sleep mask last night. I always like to step things up when sewing items. I always use patterns, but put a twist on them. I am so happy with how the sleep mask turned out. I would love to share a picture of how it turned out.
Samantha Winkelman

Reply
GrandmaSue - July 13, 2023

You can use pinking shears instead of notching.
Also, I have heard that cutting paper with scissors does NOT harm them.
Fleece and metallic fabrics DO dull scissors and your needle.
About 10 hours of sewing regular fabrics is when it is time to change a needle.
I seldom have a problem with that because I generally break them before ten hours of use or hit a pin and cause a burr on them.
If you’re not sure how long the needle has been in use, listen to your sewing machine. If it’s goin K-thunk, K-thunk, it is time to change. Don’t save the old one. Wrap it up in a little paper and toss it.

Reply
    Helen - July 17, 2023

    Thank you so much for these tips, Grandma Sue!

    Reply

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