How to Make Embroidered Sleeping Masks

A soft mask helps block out annoying light when you are trying to sleep and, if filled with lavender and chamomile, it can provide a relaxing fragrance as you drift away. Adding some embroidery to the mask gives you a personalized light blocker for your nap.

Things You'll Need

• Aviator sunglasses
• Tracing paper
• 1/8-yard satin fabric
• 1/8-yard fusible interfacing
• Quilters' pins
• Iron
• Dressmakers' tracing paper
• Embroidery pattern
• Embroidery needle
• Beads (optional)
• 1/2 yard ribbon, 1/2 inch wide
• Sewing machine
• Dried lavender flowers
• Dried chamomile flowers
• Lavender fragrance oil

Instructions

1. Trace around the sunglasses. Make a second outline 1 inch outside the tracing.

2. Fold the satin in half. Stack it with the interfacing.

3. Pin the pattern to the fabric stack.

4. Cut out the mask pieces. Set one piece aside.

5. Place the interfacing, fusible side down, on the wrong side of one of the satin pieces. Iron them to adhere the interfacing to the mask.

6. Place dressmakers' tracing paper, color side down, on the right side of the mask piece with interfacing. Place your pattern on top.

7. Lightly trace the pattern onto the mask fabric, leaving 1 inch around the edge of the fabric.

8. Cut an 18-inch piece of embroidery floss. Separate it into three sections of two strands each.

9. Thread a needle with two strands of floss.

10. Stitch over the traced pattern. Embellish your design with beads, if desired.

11. Cut the ribbon in half. Pin it to the right (shiny) side of the fabric on both ends of the mask.

12. Pin the two mask pieces right sides together, making sure the ribbon ends are in the center.

13. Stitch around the mask with a 5/8-inch seam allowance, leaving about 2 inches open. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch.

14. Turn the mask right side out.

15. Mix the flowers and sprinkle two to four drops of oil on them.

16. Spoon the flowers through the opening in the mask.

17. Hand-stitch the opening to close it.

Tips & Warnings

• Place your mask in the refrigerator for a few minutes to give the fabric a relaxing chill.

• You may also use flannel for the face side or both pieces of the mask for a soft touch.

• Do not over-soak the flowers with oil, or it will bleed through the fabric.

References

• Embroidery Library: In-the-Hoop Sleep Masks
• Disney Family Fun: Stylin' Sleep Masks
• Craftbits: Sleepy Time Eye Mask

Resources

• Sublime Stitching: How to Embroider
• Needlework Tips and Techniques: Want to Learn How to Embroider
• Craftown: Embroidery