If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, a sleeping mask can help you obtain better rest without the harsh effects of sleeping pills. An eye mask can be especially helpful if you work at night and sleep during the day because it will block sunlight that otherwise could keep you awake. You can make a custom sleeping mask in an hour or less.
Step 1
Draw a template of your eye mask on paper. The eye mask should be roughly 3 inches tall and 6 inches wide, with a 1/2-inch indent in the center of the bottom side for your nose.
Step 2
Place the flannel and the heavy fabric right sides together. Hold the fabrics up to a light to make sure light cannot pass through. Pin the template on top of the fabrics. Cut all three layers--the template, the flannel and the heavy fabric--at the same time.
Step 3
Remove the paper template and sew the two pieces of fabric together. Stitch a seam about 1/4 inch from the edge around the eye mask. Leave about a 2-inch opening to turn the mask right side out.
Step 4
Cut a 17-inch piece of elastic. Cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wide and 21 inches long. Fold the fabric lengthwise, right sides together, and sew a seam 1/4 inch from the cut edge, leaving the ends open. Turn the fabric inside out and thread the elastic through.
Step 5
Sew the ends of the elastic and its covering to each side of the eye mask.
Step 6
Stuff the eye mask with down, batting or other soft material and hand-sew to close the opening and finish the seam around the mask. Alternately, you can fill the eye mask with uncooked rice to make it heavier.
Tips and Warnings
- If you fill the mask with rice, you can add lavender or another soothing herb to make falling asleep easier and more enjoyable. Use about 2 tbsp. of lavender buds or about 20 drops of lavender oil. You can also make an eye pillow without the elastic strap. If you choose this option, make the pillow about 11 inches long and fill it with about one pound of rice or flax seeds. This will help make sure the pillow adequately blocks out the light. Eye masks can also be made from raw silk if you prefer a cooler feel.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Flannel
- Heavy fabric
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Elastic
- Needle
- Down or batting
