Light sneaking in around the curtains is the fastest way to lose a good night’s sleep, and a handmade mask fixes that for pocket change. These 19 DIY sleep masks run from no sew felt masks you can glue together during a movie to lined, quilted ones with a free printable pattern. A sleep mask is just two layers of soft fabric, a little padding and an elastic strap, so it’s a great scrap buster and a quick first sewing project. You’ll find sleepy lashes, cat ears, a crocheted owl, a hot dog and a lavender eye mask you can warm in the microwave. Choose satin or flannel for the side that touches your face, since it’s gentler on delicate skin. Perfect for travel, slumber parties and bridesmaid gifts!
1. DIY Holly Golightly Sleep Masks
These DIY Holly Golightly sleep masks borrow the famous lash mask from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Start with plain dollar store masks and sew a fabric scrap over the front of each one to cover any printed sayings. Glue strips of fringe on as closed eyelids, then add a thinner ribbon above each one for brows. Little tassels wired onto the elastic strap, plus a few pom poms and jewels, play the part of earrings. If you use fabric glue, keep it well away from the side that touches your eyes.
Get the full tutorial at PMQ for two.
2. Namast'ay In Bed Sleep Mask
The Namast’ay in bed sleep mask is a speedy project with a sense of humor. Pick one of three cheeky phrases, then cut the mask layers, felt and interfacing with a cutting machine that also draws the seam allowance and elastic lines onto the fabric with a washable pen. Those drawn lines make the sewing easy to follow, even for beginners. A soft felt layer and pretty lace elastic finish it off. Wrap one around a pair of new pajamas as a gift topper.
Get the full tutorial at see kate sew.
3. Sew A Cute Eye Mask
This cute eye mask comes with a free printable pattern and a lovely clean finish. Cut the main piece from light cotton, a facing from silky satin and a layer of wadding, trimming the facing a few millimeters smaller so the seam rolls to the back. A fabric tube gathered over the elastic makes a soft, ruched strap. Baste the strap to the side notches, stitch the layers together, turn it out through a gap and topstitch. It’s a speedy make and a smart way to use up leftover fabric.
Get the full tutorial at Tilly and the Buttons.
4. Aviator Sunglasses Sleep Mask Crochet
An aviator sunglasses sleep mask is a crochet project with a wink. Each lens starts in a magic ring and grows in rounds of single, half double and treble crochet into that classic teardrop shape. A second color slip stitched around the edges makes the frames. Sew the lenses onto a flat back panel with a running stitch, embroider a little bridge between them and hand sew on fold over elastic, which is soft and won’t tug at your hair. Add a second back piece if you’d like it thicker.
Get the full tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.
5. Sew An Oversized Sleep Mask
An oversized sleep mask blocks the light that sneaks in around a regular one. Cut one pattern piece from satin and one from woven cotton, then baste fold over elastic to the satin and try it on to check the fit before trimming. Pin the cotton on top with the strap tucked inside, sew around with a 3/8 inch seam and leave a 2 inch gap. Trim, clip the curves, turn it out and topstitch close to the edge. The satin side feels luxurious against your skin.
Get the full tutorial at So Sew Easy.
6. Momiji Doll Inspired Sleep Mask
Momiji doll inspired sleep masks are a no sew project made almost entirely from felt. Download the template, pick a design and cut two main mask shapes, plus the little ears, eyes and cheeks in matching felt colors. Glue the features onto one mask, then sew or glue a short length of elastic in place. Tuck a thin layer of wadding or cotton wool between the two pieces for a softer, padded feel, glue on the back and let it dry completely before wearing.
Get the full tutorial at Momiji.
7. Rice Bag Eye Mask
A rice bag eye mask does double duty as a sleep mask and a cool compress. Sketch a simple template a little bigger than you think you need, then cut a front and back from soft fabric. Sew them together with an opening at the top, add rice a little at a time until it feels right, then stitch it shut. Keep it in the freezer for headache days, or warm it briefly for soothing heat. Satin on the eye side is a smart swap, since it’s gentler on skin.
Get the full tutorial at Creative Pink Butterfly.
8. Make Your Own Eye Mask
Make your own eye mask with giant Breakfast at Tiffany’s lashes, or keep it simple with iron on letters. Place two cotton prints right sides together on a layer of quilt batting, pin the free pattern on top and cut. Sandwich the elastic ends between the fabric layers at the marked spots, sew around with a 1/2 inch seam, leave a gap and turn it right side out. Close it with a hidden stitch, then glue on felt half circle lids and suede fringe lashes.
Get the full tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
9. Sleepy Owl Sleeping Mask
A sleepy owl sleeping mask is a sweet crochet project built from simple circles. Each eye base starts in a magic ring and grows in rounds of double and single crochet, then the two circles are joined with slip stitches. Smaller white circles get stitched lashes in black thread, a little yellow beak is worked from a short chain, and fringe tufts become the ears. Two strands of fine cotton held together keep it light. Use about 10 inches of elastic for a child or 15 for an adult.
Get the full tutorial at Firefly Crochet.
10. DIY Sleeping Eye Masks
These DIY sleeping eye masks take about ten minutes and zero sewing. Start with plain store bought masks and wash them first so nothing stops the vinyl from sticking. Cut letters or little shapes like hearts from iron on vinyl and arrange them on the mask. Cover with a cotton cloth, iron on the cotton setting until every piece is stuck down and let it cool completely. Wash once more to test the hold. Phrases like namaste in bed always get a laugh.
Get the full tutorial at Aww Sam.
11. Go Ask Your Dad Sleep Mask
The go ask your dad sleep mask is every tired parent’s favorite joke. Cut two cotton masks on the fold and one layer of fusible fleece, then fuse the fleece to the back of one mask and add the phrase to the other with iron on, or freezer paper and fabric paint. Baste the fold over elastic along the edges, sew the layers right sides together with a 1/4 inch seam and leave a 3 inch gap. Turn, press and topstitch. Take the tight curves slowly.
Get the full tutorial at Swoodson Says.
12. Kitty Sleep Mask DIY
A kitty sleep mask with lace ears feels like lingerie for bedtime. The free PDF pattern comes from a shop that sews lingerie, so it walks through working with slippery satin and laying lace over the top. Cut the shape with two pointed ears, layer a blush satin front with black scalloped lace and finish with a soft elastic strap. You’ll need a free account on the pattern shop to download it. It’s quick to sew and makes a pretty last minute gift.
Get the full tutorial at Ohhh Lulu.
13. Matching Sleep Masks
Matching sleep masks for the whole family come from one free pattern in three sizes: adult, child and doll. The adult size runs oversized, so take a bigger seam allowance for a smaller fit. Cut a main piece and a lining on the fold, plus an optional fleece layer to keep thin fabrics plush. Quilting cotton on the front with fleece or satin behind works well. Add vinyl, embroidery or trim before sewing, or fill with a little rice for a heatable version.
Get the full tutorial at Made for Mermaids.
14. DIY Sleep Masks For Bride And Bridesmaids
DIY sleep masks for the bride and bridesmaids make a quick gift for the countdown to the wedding. Start with plain store bought masks in bright colors. Cut a slogan like don’t wake the bride, wedding dreamin’ or a simple zzz from iron on material with a cutting machine, remembering to mirror the design, or use iron on letters. Center it on the mask, press with a hot iron for about 30 seconds and peel the backing away slowly. Done in minutes!
Get the full tutorial at Bespoke-Bride.
15. Sweet Sleeping Masks
Sweet sleeping masks shaped like a panda and a bear are made from felt, batting and a few simple stitches. Draw a template on paper and use it to test which animal you like best, then cut a front and back plus the snout, ears and eyes. Glue the face pieces onto the front and let them dry. Layer a slightly smaller piece of batting on the back, tuck in the ears and elastic, add the front and sew around with an easy running stitch. Tie the elastic and you’re done.
Get the full tutorial at Pysselbolaget.
16. DIY Lavender Eye Mask
A DIY lavender eye mask made from a small hand towel is soft, absorbent and soothing. Draw or print an eye mask pattern, fold the towel in half and pin the pattern on, cutting a little bigger than needed since sewing shrinks it. Pin the printed sides together and sew around, leaving about a 1 inch opening. Turn it right side out, funnel in dried lavender and hand stitch it closed. Warm it in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or use it cool.
Get the full tutorial at OurFamilyWorld.com.
17. DIY Cat Eye Mask For A Comfortable Sleep
A DIY cat eye mask in black fleece is cozy and full of personality. Cut two fleece sides, then cut the ear and nose shapes from off white felt and a slightly larger piece from checkered fabric. Fold the checkered edges under and stitch them to the felt with black thread. Sew the mask together with black elastic and the ears in place, then hand stitch white whiskers across the front. Fleece is warm and forgiving to sew, which makes this a nice beginner project.
Get the full tutorial at Shelterness.
18. Strawberry Cake And Hot Dog Sleep Masks
Strawberry cake and hot dog sleep masks are crochet food fun for anyone with a snack sense of humor. Both start from a basic crocheted sleeping mask shape, then pick up their own toppings. The cake gets pink rows, white frosting edges, sprinkles and three little crocheted strawberries. The hot dog gets a golden bun, a red sausage and a wavy line of yellow mustard. These are shared as inspiration, so work from the free basic mask pattern and improvise the details.
Get the full tutorial at Twinkie Chan.
19. Handmade Sleep Mask
This handmade sleep mask is a little larger than most store bought ones, which helps block more light. Hand quilt a 7 by 10 inch outer panel from stitched hexies, or simply pin a single fabric to batting. Cut it and a satiny inner piece from the free template, then zigzag the elastic to the front, slightly above center. Stitch the layers right sides together with a 1/2 inch seam, leave a 3 to 4 inch gap, turn it out and close the opening by hand.
Get the full tutorial at SLOstudio.
