Michelangelo ITH Sleep Mask Machine Embroidery Design

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Michelangelo ITH Sleep Mask is a digital machine embroidery design for making a soft, fully lined eye mask in the hoop. The green face, orange headband, large white eyes and dark outlines create the recognizable ninja hero look. The embroidery and main assembly are completed in one hooping; after turning, only the small opening needs to be closed by hand. The finished mask, fabric, stabilizer, elastic and thread are not included.

Design Specifications

Size, Stitch Count and Hoop

Size: 87.8x178.0 mm (3.46x7.01"). Stitches: 19863

Hoop: 130x180 mm (5x7") or larger.

Formats: .dst, .jef, .pec, .vip, .hus, .pes, .exp, .sew, .dat, xxx, vp3

Where to Use the Michelangelo Sleep Mask

The finished mask works for sleeping at home, travel, flights, pajama parties, children’s costumes, carnival outfits and cosplay. Before stitching, print the template at 100% scale and place it against the intended wearer’s face. This lets you check the overall width, the bridge area and the position of the side attachments before cutting any materials.

Do not resize the ITH file. Scaling changes the fill density, seam allowance, elastic placement points and final construction outline. More project inspiration is available in the Michelangelo sleep mask article.

How to Embroider and Assemble the ITH Mask

1. Hoop the black front fabric together with a soft cut-away stabilizer. Keep both layers smooth without stretching the fabric.
2. Embroider the decorative front in the programmed color-block order.
3. Before the final joining outline, position the ends of the ties or soft flat elastic at the side placement points. Fold the loose lengths toward the center and secure them away from the stitch path with low-tack tape.
4. Place the lining over the embroidery with right sides together. Stitch the final outline to join the layers while leaving the programmed opening for turning.
5. Remove the project from the hoop, trim the seam allowance to 3–4 mm (1/8") and carefully clip the inward curves without cutting the stitching.
6. Turn the mask right side out, shape the edge with a blunt tool and close the opening with a ladder stitch.

Madeira Classic 40 Thread Chart

The original chart specifies 5 Madeira Classic 40 colors arranged in 6 stitching blocks. Each number is connected to a specific part of the mask.

Color-block sequence: 1367 → 1051 → 1065 → 1004 → 1166 → 1367.

Front fabric. Use tightly woven black cotton, poplin or stable lightweight twill weighing approximately 120–180 g/m² (3.5–5.3 oz/yd²). The black fabric forms part of the design, so a light base will change the appearance of the open areas and outlines.

Stabilizer. Use a soft cut-away stabilizer weighing approximately 40–60 g/m² (1.2–1.8 oz/yd²). It supports the face and eye fills and remains inside the completed mask. A stiff backing can make the finished mask uncomfortable against the face.

Lining. Choose smooth cotton batiste, poplin or washable satin weighing approximately 80–120 g/m² (2.4–3.5 oz/yd²). Preshrink cotton before use if the mask will be washed.

Ties. Use soft flat elastic 6–10 mm (1/4–3/8") wide or fabric ribbons. Determine the length by fitting before the final outline and avoid stretching the elastic too tightly.

Needle and thread. Use a new 75/11 embroidery needle for poplin or an 80/12 needle for denser twill. Standard 40-weight embroidery thread is suitable for the decorative blocks; durable polyester is preferable for the final joining outline.

Frequently Asked Questions and Practical Tips