Sew your own diy sleep mask using my sleep mask pattern that’s free for all newsletter subscribers. If you are looking for an easy sleep mask pattern, this one is super comfortable and soft, and one of my most popular free patterns (more freebies here) Grab the free pattern and sleep late this weekend!
This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support. The pattern is available IN THE SHOP – but WAIT! Get it for free with 100%-off code for all my newsletter subscribers! (new subscribers can join here, existing subscribers: see my latest newsletter) Read on to find out more.
Diy Sleep Mask
Make it easier to relax using this diy sleep mask! This is one of my free patterns for quick projects that can be finalized within less than an hour and is ideal for beginners. Two interfacing options and a lot of sewing tips included!
A sleep mask like this one, packaged in a cute diy little pouch like the free LILI pouch pattern here, or the Mia pattern (from my shop ) makes a great gift for a new mom, a college student, anyone who can benefit from a quick energizing nap – and that’s pretty much everyone!
First, for those of you who like video, I’ve made a slide-show to get the feeling of how easy it is to sew one:
If you want to hear a little story behind this diy sleep mask pattern, scroll down. But first, let me show you how to sew it.
Finished Size of teh DIY SLeep Mask:
8″ length, 3 1/2″ width (20cm x 9cm)
SUPPLIES To Sew the Sleep Mask Pattern:
- just a little fabric 9×9″ (Peek-A-Boo shop now has custom fabrics –Love their ice-cream print!)
- even less fusible fleece: 9″ x 4″ (21cm x 11cm)
- 16″ (40 cm) of fold-over elastic (I used 5/8″ width, that is 1.5cm)
- sewing machine or needle, pins or sewing clips,
- iron, scissors, or rotary cutter plus cutting mat (I use this one by Olfa)
- the PDF Pattern file – that’s available to all my newsletter subscribers with an exclusive 100% OFF code for free. You get once you’ve confirmed your subscription (new subscribers: join here, existing subscribers: enter SHOP here and use 100%off coupon from my latest newsletter)
Note: This tutorial shows white batting as interlining. Adding a dark layer (black batting, black felt etc) is a good option to better block out the daylight. One of my readers suggested a dark felt layer – a smart solution! There’s also a black batting option available in most stores – you can add that to make your sleep mask super soft (my felt is sometimes too stiff to use for a sleep mask).
Diy Sleep Mask Tutorial
Steps 1-2 – Print the Template And Cut The pieces
1) Print the free PDF template (see below) to a piece of cardboard or paper – twice! Why? On one of these two templates, cut off the seam allowance marking. This way, you’ll end up with a separate piece for your interfacing/fusible fleece, and cutting will be super quick. Clever, right? 🙂
Then use the larger template to cut 2 pieces from fabric and the smaller template to cut the fusible fleece. As an alternative, you can use batting, but keep in mind that batting needs to be cut full size, as you’ll need to sew it in:
This tutorial is made with fusible fleece. Later on, I’ll show you a few details if you want to sew it with batting (See the green sleep mask in the title image? Sewn with sew-in batting. So soft!)
2) Next step: attach fusible fleece to the front fabric piece. Use this quick how-to if you’re not used to working with fusibles:
If you’re new to fusible interfacing, use this quick how-to for applying fusible fleece.
Or visit my easy Interfacing Guide For Beginners. Super useful for all your future projects, I promise!
STEPs 3-4 – Add The Fold-Over Elastic
3) Pin the fold-over elastic to the right side of the front piece (the one with the fusible fleece on the back). The elastic ends will peek out on the sides, you can cut them off later. Also, make sure the elastic won’t get in the way when sewing. Use a safety pin.
4) Now, place the lining right-side-down on the front piece, so the two pieces will be right-sides-together. The elastic will be sandwiched between them.
STEP 5 – Sewing Step
5) Stitch around, leaving a 3″ (7cm) gap at the top edge, for turning. Go slowly and use a short stitch length, it will make sewing curves easier.
STEPs 6-7 – Trim and turn Right side Out
6) Trim the seam allowance, using pinking shears, taking care not to snip into any stitches. Also carefully clip into the seam allowance in the ‘nose’ area, just a few threads away from the stitch. It will release the tension when turning that seam right-side out and prevent puckers.
7) Turn right side out and press. Then close the turning hole. You can do this by topstitching all around the sleep mask, or by hand-stitching. Ladder stitch works great, as always!
Finished!
BONUS TIP: A note on sewing with batting instead of fusible fleece: once you’ve sewn the layers together, trim the batting very close to the seam, like this:
Then proceed as mentioned above: by trimming the fabric and then turning right-side-out. That’s all. Batting makes the sleep mask soooo soft! I wanted to take a nap right away, but it will have to wait until I’ve taken all the photos I need for insta and FB 🙂
And as promised, here’s a little bit of a story behind. It is such an easy project, but it took me so long to put the free pattern online! Want to hear when I got the idea to make a pattern for a sleep mask? Back in 2012 when I made a few for myself and for gifts. And here’s a pic from that time:
Finally, after years, I managed to make my draft digital, yey! also, I changed my original template a little, for better coverage of the area between the nose and the eyes, letting less light in. I’m super happy with this last version you’ll get. No wonder, the testing period has been years-long 🙂
How Do I Get the PATTERN for FREE?
The sewing pattern is available FOR FREE with the 100% OFF exclusive code for all subscribers to AppleGreen Cottage newsletter – you get the 100% discount code when you sign up at this link.
CURRENT SUBSCRIBERS: Your 100% DISCOUNT CODE is in my latest newsletter – visit the SHOP (here) and apply it in ‘View Cart’ before checkout.
Save this project for later so you remember where to get the free pattern:
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Victoria says
When choosing the batting option, do I still need to cut a front and back of the desired fabric? Thank you so much for the free pattern 🙂
Damjana says
Victoria hi,
a great question – I definitely suggest still adding both front and back fabric – you want your sleep mask back to be soft, washable and pleasant to the touch. One of the ideas I’m trying out these days is using rayon challis for the back of the sleep mask – sooo soft!
xoxo, Damjana
Francine says
Putting dark felt is so obvious. Of course, you want to keep out the light, but I wouldn’t have thought of it if you hadn’t mentioned it. Thank you for helping me to avoid such a big and obvious mistake.
Loretta says
I love this pattern! I put a piece of dark colored felt in between the front piece and the lining. This helps block out any light, which is the reason that I wear one. I cut the felt larger (like the batting) because it needs to be sewn in.
Damjana says
Adding a dark felt layer is super smart! There’s also a black batting option available in most stores – you can add that to make your sleep mask super soft (my felt is sometimes too stiff to use for a sleep mask). Happy sewing,