Free Patterns and Directions for a Versatile Halloween Eye Mask

By Debbie Colgrove, About.com Guide

Creating your own eye mask can be done with inexpensive, easy to find supplies and decorated to be a solo costume or to compliment a full costume. An eye mask is a great way to hide your identity without using any costume makeup which could cause adverse skin reactions for someone with sensitive skin or allergies.

Materials Needed:

• A print out of the pattern in PDF format
• Felt rectangles - One full sheet of the base color that is large enough to cut out two
• Felt or fabric scraps in colors of your choice to embellish the mask
• 1/4" or finer elastic - Elastic thread is not sufficient but elastic cord would work. Elastic Information
• thread to match the colors of felt being used, fusible web or a glue that will be pliable when it is dry to attach the embellishing colors of felt. No Sew Sewing - Fusible Options to Join Fabric
• Optional: feathers, yarn, fur or other embellishment materials to be added to the seam.

Procedure:

• Cut two from the base color.
• Transfer the eye opening markings on to the base color. Learn How to Transfer Pattern Markings and The Types of Tools Used
• Cut out the eye openings. Adjust the size of the eye holes as needed to be sure there is excellent visibility while wearing the eye mask.
• Transfer the eye piece markings of your choice on to the embellishment felt or fabric and cut out two. (Adjust these eye holes to match the mask eye holes if needed.)
• Glue, fuse or sew the eye embellishment pieces in place. Colors can be layered by cutting one piece smaller than the original pattern piece. Eyebrows can be cut of fun fur or curly yarn. The options are endless with an active imagination, using items you have around the house. Always remember safety first though! Use trims rather than gluing glitter on that could flake off and get in the eyes of the person wearing the mask. Fabric paint can also be used to embellish the mask and glitter look paints are available.
• Laying the feathers, fur or other embellishment materials inward on the top of the mask, baste the embellishment in place using a scant 1/8" seam allowance.
• Sew an end of the elastic to each X with the end of the elastic toward the outer edge of the mask.
• Lay the second base piece on top of the embellished piece, matching the eye holes and aligning the edges.
• Sew the edges together using a 1/8" seam allowance leaving a section open that will be large enough to turn the mask right sides out. Be careful not to sew feathers, the elastic or other embellishments into the edge seam unless it should be sewn in the seam.
• Turn the mask right sides out.
• Press the mask flat.
• Turn in the edges where you left it open and hand sew the opening closed. Hand Sewing Information
• Sew along the edges of the eye holes as close to the edges as possible or fuse the layers together at the edges of the eye openings. Hand sewing can also be done to adhere the eye hole layers together. Securing the layers at the eye openings, helps assure visibility.