DIY Sleep Mask

Style is important, even in your sleep.  Learn how to make this custom sleep mask, which is sure to bring you a stylish and peaceful night's sleep.

Last Christmas, tucked in her stocking, Grace found a Hello Kitty sleep mask.  Never would have imagined that this sleep mask would become an actual necessity for sleeping.  We quickly learned this, one night, when attempting our normal bedtime routine and said sleep mask could not be found.  It was then, I realized, you could never have too many sleep masks.

To make your own, you'll need scrap fabric for the front and back of your sleep mask.  I used Sherpa (which was REALLY hard to work with) for the front and a satin lining for the back.  You shouldn't need more than 1/4 of a yard of fabric for both sides.

You'll also need some double or single bias tape, some fold over elastic and any embellishments you want to add like buttons, flowers or embroidered details.

I employed my embroidery skills and added sleepy eyes to the Sherpa.  Again, the Sherpa was difficult.  Embroidery stitches needed to be really thick to get the desired look.  Other fabric options for the front of the sleep mask could be flannel or 100% cotton fabric.

Pin the fabric for the front of the sleep mask to the fabric for the back of the sleep mask.  When pinning, make sure to pin the wrong sides together.  You'll want the right sides facing out. 

Cut the sleep mask out.

Below is the pattern I used.  The finished sleep mask is approximately 7 inches long by 3-3 1/2 inches wide. 

Pin the fold over elastic to both sides of your sleep mask.  My fold over elastic was approximately 13 1/2 inches in length. 

Depending on the difficulty of keeping your front and back together, you can sew around the entire sleep mask, as close to the edge as possible. 

Open the bias tap and pin the bottom half to the sleep mask.  From the back, sew one side of the bias tape into place.  Sew along the perimeter and over the fold over elastic as well.

Now, fold the remaining half of the bias tape over the front of the sleep mask.  Sewing along the perimeter.

By finishing the biased tap in the front, any errors in stitching will (hopefully) only be visible from the back.

Add embellishments (like buttons or flowers), if desired.

The only thing left to do, test it out.  

Hopefully it brings its recipient a restful night's sleep.

They also double as safety goggles...or at least Grace thinks so.

*Originally Shared at One Artsy Mama

Sleep Mask for Two

Meet Macy.

Macy is a stuffed monkey I designed and made, about 2 years ago.  She has sat nearly forgotten about, until recently.

Grace rediscovered Macy, this past weekend.

Grace then insisted that Macy needed a sleep mask.  Why?

Apparently no child or stuffed monkey is able to sleep without one.

To oblige Grace, I grabbed some felt, fold over elastic, embroidery thread and I made Macy a sleep mask.

Grace then decided that Macy needed to have jammies.

Sigh.

Though I do dabble when it comes to sewing, and though I did succeed in making a coat for Grace last year (the one and only article of clothing I have ever made).

That coat was made from a pattern...and believe it or not, the pattern was super easy.

What I did not have, in this situation, was a jammie pattern for a custom made monkey.

But, who was I to deny the request of a girl and her monkey.

 I took a tank top Grace had outgrown...

channeled my inner Sews N Bows and made Macy a custom nightgown.

As I was custom tailoring the nightgown, one of the discarded pieces of tank top, about to be thrown away, spoke to me and insisted it needed to be made into undies.  So, again, I obliged.

Macy used to be modest about her undies but with Grace proudly showing them off any chance she can, Macy was happy to model them for the blog.

Now Macy can sleep peacefully. 

The things we do for our kids...and their stuffed monkeys!