DIY Relaxing Eye Mask

A few years ago, one of my older sisters bought me a great eye mask filled with lavender.  It’s more of an eye pillow in that there’s no strap and it’s perfect for relaxation rather than sleeping.  I loved the scent, the size and the fact that the weight of the mask really lulled you into a better mood.

Boy, did I ever love that eye pillow.  Which makes it even worse that somewhere between my last apartment and my current apartment, the pillow disappeared.  Considering I only have one large box left to unpack (full of picture frames, with an open top), I’m pretty sure it’s not going to turn up.

Now, $19 isn’t a ton of money.  But I figured- why pay $19 when I’m pretty sure I could make something similar for about $2?  Certainly the internet could provide me with a good substitute!  After some fancy Googling I found Savvy Sugar’s version.  AND IT IS GOOD.

I decided to use a cute plaid felt because it felt right for the season and I could just imagine how cozy it would be.  Soft, brushed and perfect for a delicate eye area.

Prepare your rice: mix 1 cup of rice and about 15 drops of essential together in a bowl. After mixing thoroughly, spread out onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake in your oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes (don’t let it burn or get too brown!).  This will set the scent into your rice.

To create your pattern, use your scrap paper and trace around a pair of glasses.  Because I enjoyed the size of my last eye pillow, I will make sure to make the pattern MUCH larger next time- about an inch around the glasses.

Cut out the pattern and place it on your fabric (layered over itself to create two pieces), leaving plenty of room to spare around the edges to allow for your sewing stitches.

Cut out both layers of your fabric.

Hand stitch all the way around the outer edges, leaving about an inch and a half at one end. Turn inside out.

Once your rice is cooled completely, fill your mask with rice.  Poke the ends of your opening in towards the middle to create a small folded edge and sew shut.

Since the mask is intended to be used while I’m immobile but not asleep, I don’t think it needs a strap.  I’ve gotta say, the scent on this mask is really lovely- not too strong or overpowering, but definitely present.  I can’t wait to make these for friends, they’d be super cute in some brighter colors for year-round use (maybe with some fringe faux eyelash cut-outs a la Breakfast at Tiffany’s?!) and a box of some soothing tea.