How To Sew A Simple Oversized Sleep Mask

sew a sleep mask

Since I last shared a post here at So Sew Easy, I had a baby girl! With my toddler son running around too, it's safe to say sleep is a rarity in our house. The sleep mask I have is too small and lets light in around the edges, defeating the purpose entirely. Today I'm sharing a simple pattern for an over-sized sleep mask – perfect to block the world out for a quick nap or while traveling!

Supplies

  • 15″ of fold over elastic (FOE)
  • 1/4 yd or scrap of Woven cotton
  • 1/4 yd or scrap of Satin

Fabric recommendations









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How To Sew Your Simple Oversized Sleep Mask

sew a sleep mask

Step One

Cut 1 pattern piece from satin and one from your woven cotton. Baste your FOE right sides together (RST), centered on one short end. Place on your face and stretch the FOE around, checking that you like the placement and length before trimming and basting the other side. I preferred a tighter fit, with 13″ of FOE, and placed the bottom edge of the FOE about 2.5″ up from the bottom of the pattern.

sew a sleep mask

Step Two

Place the woven main piece RST with the satin piece, making sure the FOE band is tucked inside neatly. Sew around the edges with 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving a 2″ gap at the top for turning.

sew a sleep mask

Step Three

Trim your seam allowance down to 1/8″, except over where your gap was left. If you really want it to press nicely, you can cut tiny triangles out of the concave curves and tiny slits in the convex curve where your nose goes.

sew a sleep mask

Step Four

Pull the mask right side out through the gap you left and press well, tucking the seam allowances down into the opening. Topstitch 1/4″ from the edge all the way around, taking care to not stitch through your FOE! Ta-da. You can shut the world out in style now.

The super soft satin side feels like a luxury, as does sleep at any time right now!

sew a sleep mask


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I'm Stephanie and I blog at Swoodsonsays.com about sewing and crafts for myself & my toddler son. I love upcycling, using up scraps,  and having the freedom to make what I can't find or afford in stores. I spend way too much time online - you can connect with me on twitter/pinterest/facebook/instagram !

 

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Marilyn
Marilyn

a Much easier mask can be made by sewing two socks together. Cut off the toe area which has holes in it to make it square and sew the tops together. The heel area goes over the nose and keeps the light out. Much softer than other masks and fits tightly because of the give.Oh be sure to wash the socks first!!!

Spot
Spot

I’m not going to lie, I could not for the life of me figure out what to do with the FOE in step 1. I eventually gave up trying to put the FOE in between the satin and cotton and just settled with sewing the ends to the sides of the mask. It turned out fine! Using the mask, paired with my earplugs, allowed for me to have the best sleep of my life. Goodness. I just wish I could have understood what the instructions meant with the FOE. Thank you for the free pattern nonetheless!

Lareina
Reply to  Spot

At first I was confused too. But I kept trying, and finally figured it out.

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Sandy Bell
Sandy Bell

This is great and just what I need, thanks so much!

Susan Riley
Susan Riley

When you fill with rice, does it go into the microwave for heat to help your sinuses??? Thanks.

Dame Essentials
Dame Essentials

Thanks for posting about the silk eye mask that help to sleep better. Its really helpful for me.

prakash
prakash

Thanks for posting about the silk eye mask that help to sleep better. Its really

helpful for me.

Sabrina
Sabrina

Great tutorial! What is thr finished size ?

Susan
Susan

I just love this pattern..Mine is going to become a rice filled sinus mask and this will fit nicely..it’l cover all of my sinuses

EyeSoothe
EyeSoothe

I like the idea of an over-sized sleep mask. Having made several of a traditional size, I wonder why it never occurred to me to make them larger and more functional. The oversize sleep mask tutorial was very clear and it is easy to sew.

Sara R Perlman
Sara R Perlman

I’m not sure I understand the instruction completely. Why would the elastic go through the mask instead of just attaching it at the sides to stretch around your head? Also, I teach young girls to sew by hand and I thought this might be a cute project; will it hold if they sew by hand and not machine?

MaidMirawyn
MaidMirawyn
Reply to  Sara R Perlman

I can see how that could be confusing. But it does work out!

When the elastic is inside the mask, the layers of the mask are right sides together. When you turn the mask inside out through the opening at the top, the elastic is on the outside. It’s firmly attached and sandwiched between the layers of fabric.

If you add the elastic after sewing the mask, then it has to be attached on the underside of the mask (where it’s against your skin) or on the outside (and is visible).

It could definitely be sewn by hand; I will probably make mine that way. (I can sew it on the bus that way!) I would sew back over the attachment point. I will probably leave a little extra seam allowance where the elastic is attached, just to be on the safe side.

Leslie
Leslie
Reply to  Sara R Perlman

Elastic goes through the middle so it will be in the right place once you turn it right side out.

Connie
Connie
Reply to  Sara R Perlman

By stitching the elastic inside while stitching the actual mask front sides together, your edges are captured ‘inside’ the mask when you turn right side out it looks neater and there are no thick seams when you wear it. Does that help?

Ben
Ben

I like the idea of an oversized sleep mask. Having made several of a traditional size, I wonder why it never occurred to me to make them larger and more functional. The oversize sleep mask tutorial was very clear and it is easy to sew.

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Stefania
Stefania

Thanks for this very useful tutorial, I have been looking for months for a nice and a simple present for my aunt who has eye problems, hope it likes it as well.

Toni
Toni

Thank you so much. I have needed this for the past 32 years. Better late than never

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Toni

Indeed Toby, enjoy!

Nerni
Nerni

I love the idea… thank you so much.

dfarb001bby

why do you use fold over elastic instead of regular elastic

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  dfarb001bby

I think Stephanie used the fold over because its nice and soft and smooth and very stretchy, so its comfortable. Some of the regular elastics aren’t as nice.

ROBIN, HUNTSVILLE TX
ROBIN, HUNTSVILLE TX

Thank you for the pattern. Question: In photo #2, what is that sticking out the top?

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member

That is just there to show that there has been an open gap left in the sewing around the perimeter so you can turn the right way. Its not part of the project 🙂

ROBIN, HUNTSVILLE TX
ROBIN, HUNTSVILLE TX

Okay, that makes sense. Thank, you, Deby!

Eryn @ StyleSewMe.com

I need this. I have the same problem with my sleep mask, on top of stretching it out every month and having to replace it too often. Thank you and Congratulations on your new baby!

Carol Anglemyer
Carol Anglemyer

thank you for the free pattern for the over size sleep mask