How to Make an In-the-Hoop Machine Embroidery Cuddle® Eye Mask

Relax and feel pampered with this super cozy eye mask! It's easy to make using in-the-hoop machine embroidery and soft Cuddle® 3 (and how fun are those fringed eyelashes?)!

See Related: DIY Head & Body Wrap Using Cuddle® Minky Plush Fabrics

There’s a secret pocket on the back for an insert of soothing herbs or ice for your tired eyes, and since it's so easy to sew and customize, it makes a great gift!

Recommended fabrics and notions for making a Cuddle® eye mask

I’ve listed supplies you’ll need for each project and some optional tools you may find handy when working with Cuddle®.

Supplies for the eye mask

• Machine embroidery pattern
• Cuddle® 3 in your choice of color or print (Blush used here)
• Light cutaway stabilizer known as no show mesh
• Quilters Dream Batting 80/20
• Water soluble topper, the film type
• Fold-over elastic
• Machine embroidery thread

Optional supplies for working with Cuddle®

• 80/12 jersey stretch needle — SCHMETZ
• Craft knife — OLFA
• Fabric clips — Clover
• Felt tip marker or ballpoint pen
• Long, flower head pins — Clover
• Micro-serrated scissors — Karen Kay Buckley, Famore or Kai
• Polyester thread — Metrosene by Mettler
• Rotary cutter and mat —OLFA
• Stiletto and Pressing Tool — ByAnnie
• Walking foot

How to Make an Eye Mask Using Cuddle® Minky Plush Fabrics 

The eye mask design file comes with complete detailed instructions including dimensions for all the pieces that need to be cut. When using Cuddle®, you need to be aware of the nap when cutting the pieces and placing them in the hoop. You want the nap going downward on all pieces when the eye mask is finished.

Hoop the stabilizer and center a piece of batting on top of the hoop.

I like using Quilters Dream Batting for in the hoop designs as it is thin and soft allowing finished projects to easily be turned to the right side through small openings. It keeps a nice drape and resists shrinkage when laundering.

Place a piece of Cuddle® 3 right-side up over the batting with the nap in the direction of the arrow.

Place a piece of the water-soluble topper on top. It’s important to use a topper to keep the stitches from sinking into the fibers. Be sure to pin through all layers to keep everything in place.

Stitch steps 1 and 2. Step 2 creates the fringed eyelashes.

Remove the hoop from the machine and turn it to the back side. Using small sharp scissors, cut through the bobbin thread to release the fringe.

On the front side of the hoop use your fingernails to gently fluff up the threads.

At this point remove the topper but keep the fabric pinned down.

The instructions will tell you where and how to place the fold over elastic. The next step will stitch the ends of it in place.

Place another piece of Cuddle® 3 in the hoop right-side down. Make sure the nap is going the same direction as the first piece. One short edge of this piece is 3/4” down from the where the decorative stitching ends. This piece is going to form the secret pocket. Again, make sure to pin it in place.

Cuddle® is a knit so it doesn’t fray when it’s cut. The cut fibers will shed a little, but the material itself won’t fray making it perfect for the edge of the pocket as you don’t have to finish it in any way.

The next step will have the machine stitch this piece in place. One more piece of Cuddle® is placed right-side down over the hoop completely covering the other pieces. Have the nap going in the same direction as the other pieces and make sure all layers are pinned in place out of the way of the needle.

The last step stitches the eye mask together. Remove the mask from the hoop. Trim around the eye mask ¼” from the stitching leaving about 1” at the opening where it will be turned. Don’t cut the ends of the elastic short. Leave them a little longer as it will make them stronger. Clips the curves to relax the fabric.

Turn the mask through the opening and round out all the curves. Turn the raw edges in and quickly hand stitch the opening closed.

Cuddle® is very forgiving. If you don’t hand sew neatly, no worries! 

Turn the mask again through the pocket and round out the curves. You will see the pocket as shown by the arrow in the photo.

Use a stiletto to fluff the fibers from the seams.

Follow Embroidery Garden on Facebook and Instagram to see more projects I have stitched using Cuddle® fabrics.

-RW

If you have any questions about Cuddle® minky plush fabrics or any of our Cuddle® Kits, feel free to contact our friendly, no-pressure customer service team at 866-624-5252.

 Ready to start creating with Cuddle® minky fabric? Use our store locator to find a selection of Cuddle® minky fabric online or near you.