Lavender Sleep Masks

With the cooler weather setting in and spending more time indoors lately, my mind has turned to all things craft. I love crafting and especially enjoy making homemade gifts for my friends and family. Is there anything more special than something homemade, homegrown, or handcrafted? It is an opportunity to use your creative expression, give something that’s completely unique, and be economical and/or sustainable about it.

👉 You will need Lavender Buds for this.

Homemade gifts don’t require you to spend a lot of money or be wasteful with a lot of packaging. With a little creativity, a few scraps of fabric, some homegrown flowers from the garden, and a whole lotta love – you can create something super special! This sleep mask is the perfect luxury gift for that friend that’s had a long year and could use a little extra relaxation – and sleep! Since this currently defines everyone I know, I had better start sewing now to be ready for the holidays!!

👉 I found this basic pattern on Instructables.com

1️⃣ STEPS 1-12: 

• STEP 1: GATHER YOUR TOOLS.
  • The FREE sleep mask pattern
  • Fabric for the outside layers
  • Batting for the lining
  • Clear ruler
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Elastic (this will be visible, so choose a colour you like with your fabric)
  • Thread (note that there is topstitching so choose your thread accordingly)
  • Point turner
  • Water-soluble pen (or pencil)
  • Seam gauge
  • Tip: Choose fabrics that are comfortable on your face and also easy to wash, as it will get dirty from mascara and face oils and will require frequent washing.
• STEP 2: PRINT THE PATTERN.
• STEP 3: CUT THE PATTERN.
• STEP 4: CUT THE FABRIC.
• STEP 5: CUT THE BATTING.
• STEP 6: PIN THE ELASTIC.
• STEP 7: BASTE THE ELASTIC.
• STEP 8: MARK THE CENTER CURVE.
• STEP 9: PIN THE LAYERS.
• STEP 10: SEW THE LAYERS.
• STEP 11: TRIM THE SEAM ALLOWANCE.
• STEP 12: SMOOTH THE CURVES.

2️⃣ STEP 13A: Here’s where the Lavender comes in!

Before you close up the mask, sprinkle in your lavender buds. You will want to put in enough to evenly distribute around the mask, however, you don’t want to fill it too full to the point where the lavender is bulging in the mask. Don’t have Lavender growing in your garden? We’ve got you covered!

👉 Get your Lavender Buds here

3️⃣ STEP 13B-15:

• STEP 13: TUCK IN THE SEAM ALLOWANCE.
• STEP 14: CLOSE THE OPENING.
• STEP 15: FINAL PRESS.

Your Lavender Sleep Mask may be heated or cooled to treat headaches or fever. The buds will also last for a couple of washes. Once they have lost their scent, simply rip out the stitches on the middle section, turn inside out to empty, run through the wash, dry and then refill with new buds and close up again for a zero waste solution.

Advanced sewers may want to play around with customizing their designs and adding embroidery, shapes or playful details such as animals’ ears. Have fun with it and let your imagination go wild! Be sure to post your creations and tag us @karmacultures (Instagram) or @karmacultures (Twitter), and use the hashtags #givekarma #happinessishomemade.