Make a satin eye mask

Celebrate in style. See in the new year with a smallish group of friends and family. Big celebrations can be hard going: there are cabs (or driving and parking), baby-sitters and pets to think about. Besides, past a certain age, greeting an unblemished year full of promise in the company of a thousand strangers holds little appeal. Set the tone for an opulent yet intimate dinner with invitations to match. We found our gorgeous stationery at Christina Re, and decided on girly pink with a touch of glitz for the invitation, the dinner and – our favourite touch – the eye-mask party favours. When that new day dawns, bright and full of promise, these handmade treats will be a lifesaver!

You will need

Loose crystals and a hot fix crystal applicator – we used the Bejeweler Pro Down Under, available from The Craft Mailbox (www.craftmailbox.com); coloured fabric, towelling, bias and elastic (from craft stores such as Spotlight); pencil, scissors.

1. Using the template below, cut one piece in coloured fabric – we used pink satin from Spotlight – and a second piece in towelling for the backing. 
2. Mark spots where elastic is to be sewn on the sides, then measure, cut and pin elastic to towelling. Sew satin bias binding around both pieces. 
3. On the coloured piece, pencil in your design (this can be done prior to sewing). Heat BeJeweler for three minutes, place the crystals, then apply them directly on to the fabric surface, following your pencilled-in design, until complete.

 

Click here to download the eyemask template

 

Photography: Scott Hawkins. Styling: Angela Haughton.