Beige bra elastic, two silver sliders. Blak velvet, fusible batting and beige linen cut out in the shape of a sleep mask template.

How to Sew a Sleep Mask with an Adjustable Strap

Sleep masks with an adjustable strap are a great option because they can fit almost any face. With this DIY project, I’ll show you how to sew your very own. This sewing tutorial features step-by-step instructions, illustrative photos and a free pattern for the mask template.

I would categorise this sewing project as beginner friendly. I hope the tutorial helps you make sleep masks that help you sleep better and/or sew beautiful gifts for your loved ones. Let’s get started!

Sewing Supplies and Free Pattern

Download the free pattern at my Ko-fi. You don’t need to enter any personal details. Just add to cart, check out and click ‘View Content’.

Download Sleep Mask Template

You will need the following supplies to sew this eye mask.

E mode":"automodule","faces":[]} Save
  1. Front piece – This can be any fabric you like
  2. Back piece – Use any fabric you like, but make sure it’s soft and comfortable against your skin since it will be in direct contact with your face.
  3. Batting – This is just a layer of cushioning. You could also use:
    • Felt
    • Sweatshirt fabric
    • Any soft material that adds a bit of padding
  4. Elastic (60 cm) Any firm elastic will work. I prefer bra strap elastic because it is more resistant to wear. I recommend using elastic wider than 10 mm wide for durability.
  5. Ring & slider or two sliders Your elastic width needs to match the hardware width. For example, if you’re using 12mm (½ inch) elastic, you need a 12mm ring and slider (or two sliders).

Fabric cutting

Beige bra elastic, two silver sliders. Blak velvet, fusible batting and beige linen cut out in the shape of a sleep mask template. Save

Check the test box on the pattern before cutting your fabric. Transfer the notches after cutting.

Using the provided template cut out:

  • 1 front fabric piece
  • 1 back fabric piece
  • 1 piece of batting (or whatever cushioning layer you have).

Cut the elastic into two pieces:

  • 36 cm (~ 14 inches)
  • 16 cm (~ 6 ¼ inches)

Step 1: Baste the front piece to the batting

This is an image with black velvet and fusible batting cut out in the shape of a sleep mask. Save

Place the front piece of the sleep mask, right side up, on top of the batting.

Line up both pieces and pin or clip together.

Baste these two layers together about 3 mm or 1/8″ from the edge.

This is an image of the black velvet mask front basted onto the batting Save
This is an image of the back of the mask front. It is a basted layer of batting and black velvet fabric. Save

Step 2: Assembling the adjustable strap

A beige elastic strap inserted into a silver slider at one end Save

Take the longer piece of elastic (36 cm/14 inches) and insert one end through both holes of the slider.

The motion is under the first hole, over the middle rod and into the remaining hole of the slider

If you’re using a textured strap, like decorative elastic or bra strap elastic, make sure that the middle rod of the slider is in contact with the plush side of the elastic.

Pull the elastic through just about 2 cm (¾ inch), fold it over and sew it down to the rest of the strap.

Beige strap elastic threaded into a silver slider and sewed. Save

Take the other end of the elastic and insert with plush side up (if using two-textured elastic) into one hole of the second slider or into the ring.

Beige elastic strap Save

Now bring the elastic back through the two holes of first slider (right on top of the elastic there).

This time the plush side will be facing down (if using two-textured elastic). You’ve now created the first part of the adjustable strap.

A beige adjustable strap elastic with two silver sliders Save

Now loop the second shorter piece of elastic (16 cm/6 ¼ inches) through the remaining hole of the second slider or the ring. If using two-textured elastic, the plush is on the inside.

adjustable strap elastic and a second shorter piece of elastic Save
A beige adjustable elastic strap. This strap has two silver sliders. Save

Align the ends of the elastic so they are even and sew them together so that they don’t move around. One line of stitching is enough or even a bar tack.

You now have an adjustable strap!

Step 3: Sewing the strap to the mask

The front piece of a sleep mask and a beige adjustable strap Save

Grab the mask front layer that you basted in Step 1. Place it right side up.

Now take your adjustable strap and place it on the mask wrong side up. Just to clarify, you want the side of the strap that has visible stitching to face you.

Now match the top edge of the straps to the notches you marked earlier.

Line up the ends of the strap with the edges of the mask and clip or pin the strap in place.

A beige adjustable strap pinned onto a mask front. the mask front is a piece of black velvet and batting basted together. Save

Sew the ends of the strap in place with a 3 mm or 1/8 in seam allowance.

The front a sleep mask made from black velvet with a beige adjustable strap sewn down at the edges Save

Step 3: Assembling the mask

Take the back fabric piece and place it onto the front mask piece with the attached adjustable strap, right sides facing.

Basically, you are sandwiching the strap between the front mask and the back piece. This layer goes: Mask front, right side facing up. Mask back, right side facing down.

Pin the layers together, leaving a gap at the top about three fingers wide. This opening will be used later to turn the mask right side out.

A sleep mask being constructed. The back piece, a beige linen, is pined on top of the rest of the mask. Save

Sew around the mask with a 6 mm or 1/4 in seam allowance, leaving a gap about three fingers wide at the top.

The back of a sleep mask that is inside out. It has a line of stitching and a gap at the top. Save

Make little snips into the seam allowance at the inner curve of the mask, just where the bridge of the nose goes.

Carefully cut small notches into the seam allowance of the outward-facing curves of the mask.

The back of a sleep mask. The mask has a gab that hasn't been sewn and is inside out. It also has been clipped at the seam allowance. Save

Reach into the mask through the gap and pull the strap out.

The back of a sleep mask with a beige strap coming out of a hole in the mask. The mask is inside out and has been clipped at the seam allowance. Save

Carefully continue pulling the strap out and turn the mask right side out. Use a blunt pointy tool like a chopstick to push the seams out and smooth them.

Step 5: Finishing the mask

The back of a sleep mask with a gaping whole at the top. It has beige linen fabric and a beige adjustable strap. Save

Fold the seam allowance at the gap inward and press using a pressing cloth. Press the rest of the mask.

Want to Try Another Sleep Mask Style?

Eyemasksewingpattern1 Save

Check out my Patchwork Sleep Mask Pattern, which includes three unique design variations! This pattern is perfect for personal use or as a handmade gift.

Buy Pattern

You have two options to close the gap:

  • Hand stitch with an invisible/ladder stitch. This is my preferred method
  • You could also use your machine to topstitch around the entire mask.
The back of a sleep mask. It has beige linen fabric and a beige adjustable strap Save
Finished Mask Back
The front of a sleep mask. It has black velvet fabric and a beige adjustable strap Save
Finished Mask (Front)

That’s it, you’re done! Congratulations on sewing a sleep mask with an adjustable strap. Let me know in the comments how it goes and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

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