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project: comforting eye mask

Comforting Eye Mask

With Mother's Day coming very soon, I figured I should probably make something for my mom. She's always very forgiving when it comes to forgotten gifts, especially because I often give her the things I make. Actually, no. She's forgiving because gifts for "special days" aren't the most important thing about these kinds of days.

For this Mother's Day, I told her before I even made this, what I was going to give her, and that it would be on my blog for you to make for you moms too. She was cool with that, so today I have an eye mask that is easy to put together and will give a bit of comfort to mom! It's filled with rice so you can heat it in the microwave or chill it in the freezer and lay it across your eyes.

Comforting Eye Mask

Here's what you need:
Wool or wool blend felt (I don't recommend the synthetic kind for this)
Embroidery floss
1/2 cup rice
Eye mask template PDF

Comforting Eye Mask
Comforting Eye Mask

Cut out two eye mask pieces. On one of the pieces, stitch whatever you like. I did rows of running stitch in different colors and different stitch lengths. (My mom's favorite color is orange, so I made sure that was in there!)

Comforting Eye Mask

Sew around the outside with a running stitch, taking small stitches so the rice won't escape. (You could do this on the sewing machine, of course.) Leave an opening of about 1.5 inches.

Comforting Eye Mask

Spoon the rice into the eye mask. You don't want it too full...it should be able to drape a bit. (You could add some lavender in there too, but my mom prefers unscented...it's better for her migraines.)

Comforting Eye Mask

Sew the opening closed, and you're all set!

Comforting Eye MaskComforting Eye Mask

To heat, place in the microwave and heat in increments of 10 seconds until you reach the desired temp. To chill, place in the freezer for several hours. If you're giving this as a gift, you'll want to add a little tag with the instructions, so the PDF template has some tags included for you as well!

Please note: the chilled method isn't quite as effective as heating, but it does work surprisingly well all things considered!

Whether you have a mom who needs one of these, ARE a mom who needs one of these, or just are in need of some warm or cool comfort, I hope you enjoy making your eye mask!

23 comments:

  1. It's a great idea!! my mom doesn't like that kind of things but I'm thinking of making myself one :D
    Thanks again for the idea!!

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  2. Ouuuu I want to make this, this is perfect!!! My mom would probably adore this!

    xo
    http://kittysnooks.blogspot.ca/

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  3. Anonymous11:35 AM

    I need a body one lol!!! Where do you get this particular wool?

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    Replies
    1. I get this at JoAnn's. It's a wool/rayon blend, and I think it's about $9/yard.

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  4. Those are so cute!! :) And handy too. Thanks for sharing this, Mollie!

    xo,
    Mikailah @ Maid For Him

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  5. adorable, adorable. great idea!


    grace
    http://herumbrella.com

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  6. M'encanta!!! es super xulo!! Crec que en fare un!!

    Beauty is in simplicity, I love

    Alèxia (from Catalonia, spain)

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  7. love this- perfect timing. thank you for sharing!

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  8. clever :) thanks for sharing :)

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  9. This is simple, but definitely beautiful.

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  10. I love it!! So sweet and simple!! I made heat packs for the neck and they work wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!! xo Heather

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  11. Anonymous9:48 AM

    this is so pretty, thx for the post :)

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  12. This is perfect! I recently found your blog & I am so glad I did. It's the cutest, good job! <3

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  13. Love it ! Gonna make one for myself ! Wish my Mom was still with us... she used to suffer from headaches, I could have made one for her...

    I have a few questions for you Mollie, but I guess anyone's answer will be welcomed. I'm Canadian (french canadian) and twice a year since a couple of years we make a road trip from our home town of Quebec City to Boston... we just love that city ! I have my local fabric store where I buy my hoops and DMC floss and needles, but I'm looking for something new... I love buying from the NET (I'm a full time working mom so it's convenient) so I would love to go to a needlecraft store ! I was wondering if there's a chain of stores that you could suggess me to go to while in Boston this summer, you know a real store... not some kind of big department store :)... I'm not familiar with the USA stores...

    Also I'm always looking for the right way to store my stitching stash... but I haven't yet... How do you guys store your hoops and boxes of floss ? Right now it's in a drawer in my room... not so pretty !

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    Replies
    1. I'm not familiar with any smaller chains of stores, mainly Michaels, JoAnn and Hobby Lobby. But hopefully someone else will have an answer or some ideas (I've tweeted about it for you!)

      I'm also always looking for better ways to store things, because my stitching takes over my space! Right now I have a small box that I keep my hoops in (under my desk), and my embroidery floss is in plastic bags (divided by color) and in shoebox type storage containers.

      My dad is going to help me set up a new shelving unit to store things better, and in a more pretty manner....as soon as I figure out what I really want and need!

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    2. Hi Stephinette, I'm a local, and they're aren't many Michaels or JoAnn type stores in the city, but there are some great indie stores! If you're downtown at all you should definitely check out Windsor Button. They're more of a yarn shop, but have some hoops and needles. Gather Here is located near Kendall Sq, but kind of a hike from the T. And there's also Stitch Boutique in Back Bay (honestly the ladies aren't the friendliest, but so many beautiful thread options!). Hope that helps!

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  14. What a lovely gift this will make!

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  15. Looks really nice...but wool? I'm itching already. :(

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  16. I use an eyemask for my migraines, too. Mine has lavender in it, though. This looks simple enough for me (a non-sewer) to attempt. Thank you!

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  17. Molli! Amei essa dia de mascara!
    Obrigada por compartilhar.
    Postei um link dessa postagem no meu blog. rositabyrose.blogspot.com.br
    Não sabia que poderíamos usar arroz, para dores de cabeça e ainda aquecê-los!
    Amei.

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  18. Anonymous10:48 PM

    Can you use any other fabric besides wool?

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely! Cotton fabric will work, but it will fray, so you might want to sew it right sides together and then turn it before filling. Also, be careful when heating it. I haven't tested this with anything other than the felt. (By the way, good quality wool blend felt is softer than you'd expect!)

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