How to make an eye mask

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one mask)

• Main fabric (cotton or linen) — about 25 × 15 cm (10 × 6 in)
• Lining fabric (silk, gauze or interlock) — the same amount
• Lightweight batting (for better light blocking) — the same amount
• Flat elastic (0.8–1 cm / ⅜ in wide) — about 30 cm (12 in)

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Eye mask” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the width, height, nose notch depth and elastic length. Presets cover standard, wide and a child size.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the body including the nose notch, and mark where the elastic attaches.
2. Cut
   Cut one main, one lining and, if using, one batting.
3. Finish the edges
   Not needed — everything is enclosed.

4. Sewing

4-1. Baste the elastic

1. Lay the main fabric right side up and baste an elastic end at each marked point, pointing inward.
2. Check the elastic is not twisted before you stitch.

4-2. Sew and turn

1. Lay the lining on top, right sides together (batting on the outside of the stack), and sew around leaving a 6 cm (2½ in) gap.
2. Clip into the nose notch and any other inward curve. On outward curves, cut small wedges out instead to reduce bulk.
3. Turn through the gap and press.

4-3. Finish

1. Close the gap and topstitch all the way around.
2. Backstitch over the elastic anchors so they cannot pull out.

✏️ The nose notch is an inward curve, so it will pull when turned unless it is clipped. Clip up to 1–2 mm short of the stitching — close, but not through it.

5. Tips & variations

• Block more light: one layer of thin batting makes a real difference. Thick batting presses on the eyes.
• Silk lining: the side against your face is worth spending on. Silk or double gauze.
• Adjustable: a slider on one side of the elastic lets you set the fit.