Free Pattern: Make an eye mask

February 5, 2021

I can’t think about Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s without thinking about her chic blue eye mask: the cat by her side prodding her to wake up.

It turns out they’re not only chic in look and in thought. I’ve found them really practical for afternoon cat naps…or siestas like we call them here in Spain. They give a reprieve from the light and allow a few minutes of escape. I’m excited to share my pattern below!

Once we can fly again, I’ll whip up another one especially for the plane. You can add embroidery, mix and match the base color with different colored piping, even make matching sets for your bridesmaid gifts. And since Valentines Day is right around the corner, these could be really fun galentines gifts or a thoughtful gift for a friend who works the night shift and sleeps during the day (an essential hospital worker perhaps?)

What you’ll need:

Approx. 24″ of piping

A large fabric scrap/s (approx 10″ x 14″ and a strip 21″ x 3″)

Approx 18″ of soft 1/2″ wide elastic (measure to fit your own head…my elastic was 16.5 inches for a not too snug fit)

Fabric & Cutting

There are just 2 pattern pieces. You’ll cut 3 of the eye mask and one of the strap on the fold.

**I chose to cut 3 layers of my fabric for the eye coverage, as this makes the mask soft and supple (ie luxurious) but you could chose to cut 2 layers of your fabric and one layer of quilt batting for a fluffier mask. You could also cut one layer in a soft fabric like a fleece or french terry and place this layer on the back so it’s super soft against your eyes.

Download your pattern here:

Let’s walk through the sewing

This pattern allows for 1/4″ seam allowances.

First, I took two layers of my eye coverage pieces and pinned them wrong sides together (you could also baste them).

Then, I pinned my piping to the outer edges, right sides together. I started and stopped my piping at one of the sides. Then, baste it on. I show the step by step of making baby fine piping in Luxe Loungewear.

Next, sew your strap right sides together along the long edge. Turn right side out and press.

Using a safety pin, insert your elastic into the strap. Baste the short edges to secure the elastic.

Pin the strap to the eye coverage piece with the piping, right sides together, matching notches and raw edges. Baste in place.

With right sides together, match the cut edges of your third eye coverage piece to the two layers with piping, tucking the strap inside and out of the seam line.

Stitch around the outer edge, leaving a 2″ hole for turning along the top edge.

Turn right side out and press. Using a slip stitch, hand sew the opening closed.

And voila! I hope you have fun making these and mixing and matching to make them your own style! Let me know how it goes or if you have any questions below!

Happy sewing,