This instructable shows how to make an eye mask and pillow.

Material:
1- 18'x21' fabric quarter (or other scraps of fabric), this will be the top of the eye mask
1- 8'x5' soft fabric, this will be the bottom of the eye mask
1- 2'x20' fabric (for eye mask strap)(optional)
1- 3/4'x16' elastic or 2-16' pieces of ribbon
sewing machine
5 tablespoons flax seed
3 tablespoons lavender
lavender oil (optional)
fake rose petals (optional)

notions:
- safety pin
- sewing thread
- scissors
- pins
- stuffing

Step 1: Creating the Eye Mask

Design your own or search for an eye mask template. one can be found at: http://www.craftbits.com/images/sleepytime.jpg

Print image

Cut out image

Place template over fabric and pin (when using a fabric quarter, try to stay as close to the edge as possible, to conserve material)

Cut out design

Repeat with other piece of fabric

Step 2: Eye Mask Strap

You can make the casing mentioned below to give the eye mask or skip the fabric and just use the elastic or use two pieces of ribbon tied together

To make the casing:
Cut a piece of material to 2"x22"

Pin the right sides of the fabric facing each other

To prevent fraying on edges, use a zig-zag stitch on unfinished edges
Sew open edge about 1/4" from edge (I use the edge of the sewing foot as my guide, the edge of the foot is 1/4") (It's ok to sew closer to the edge, but do not move further out than 1/4")

Remove pins

Flip fabric inside out (now the right sides should be exposed), this is your casing

Take safety pin and pin it to one end of the 3/4"x16" piece of elastic (the safety pin helps thread the elastic through the casing)

Take the casing and start threading the elastic through with the safety pin first

Pin the edge of the elastic to the edge of the opening of the casing, repeat for other side

Sew ends closed

Step 3: Sewing Eye Mask

Take the two pieces of fabric cut out for the eye mask and lay them with wrong sides out.

Pin bottom half of eye mask (do not pin all the way around until strap has been added)

Sandwich one end of eye mask strap (casing, elastic, or ribbon) between the two pieces of fabric near the upper outer edge of mask pieces, make sure the strap is in between the two pieces of fabric and not on the outside (see pics)

Repeat with other side

Pin remaining sides of mask

Sew approx. 1/4" from edge of mask, leave about 1-2" opening on the top of the mask

Remove pins

Make small little cuts around the nose area of mask (do not cut past thread) this will keep the mask from bunching when flipped inside out

Use opening to flip mask right side out

Step 4: Filling Eye Mask

Using opening left in eye mask, fill the eye mask with 5 tablespoons of flax seed and 3 tablespoons of lavender (a funnel can be created out of paper to help fill the mask)

Once filled hand sew the opening on top of the eye mask closed
(If you don't know how go to http://www.ehow.com/how_4494130_sew-pillow-closed.html)

Step 5: Pillow

Take remaining piece of fabric and cut off used piece (you should have approximately 10"x11" left)

Pin fabric with wrong sides out

Sew 1/4" from pinned edges, leave a small opening for flipping and stuffing

Remove pins

Flip fabric right side out

Step 6: Stuffing the Pillow

To stuff the pillow use opening left in fabric, take small bits of stuffing and place it through the opening until the pillow is stuffed to desired fullness

Dried lavender or lavender oil can be added for a calming light scent (lavender is great for insomniacs) (the lavender oil can be added to the stuffing or to fake rose petals)

Hand sew the opening in the pillow closed (go to http://www.ehow.com/how_4494130_sew-pillow-closed.html for instructions on closing a pillow)

Step 7: Relax Time

Microwave eye mask for 20 seconds (careful not to put it in for too long, you don't want anything to burn or catch on fire)

Find comfortable area

Set down pillow

Put in ear plugs (if desired), or soothing music

Put on eye mask

Relax.......

Step 8: Gift Idea

This can make a great gift idea for mother's day or just because

You can place the eye mask on top of the matching pillow and secure with a ribbon or

You can use one of those old linen containers (the plastic zippered bags that curtains and sheets come in). With this idea you can use the extra space to add more material, like bath salts or lotion, or with the left over material (should be about 7.5"x18") to make/add a Dammit Doll from http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1141 This will create a doll approx 7-8" tall