Stiff Sunglasses Case Tutorial and Whassup?

First. Just a little howyadoin’. We moved into a new apartment last weekend, and then Sandy hit and our power was out for three days, and internet for four, so suffice it to say I’m just now getting myself situated.

But hey, so, I got new prescription sunglasses and the case they gave me was huge. Like, HUUUUGE. Like there’s no way I’m carrying that thing ANYWHERE. Also they’re totally cute bright orange. And I suddenly had a thought. DOOD. I totally need to make a case using that awesome Echino Buck fabric I bought last month! But I want it to be softer than cotton, because they say cotton scratches lenses, and I want it to be hardish on the outside so my purse full o’things doesn’t hurt them. Cause man. $80 after insurance is still a boatload of cash. So here’s the tutorial!

Materials Needed:

• One computer or lens cleaning cloth – mine came with my Mac but I’ve used it for my glasses for ages, plus I can get more from work. Just make sure it’s big enough to wrap around your sunglasses with plenty of room to spare.
• One scrap of fabric the same size as the cleaning cloth
• One piece of peltex the same size. I used sew in, but you could use one-sided fusible. I wouldn’t use double-sided fusible though.
• Various sewing accoutrement

1. Cut your fabric to match the size of your cleaning cloth.

2. Cut your Peltex to be about a 1/4″ smaller all around

3. Place your cleaning cloth and outer fabric RST and pin all around. The cleaning cloth is a little “grabby” so make sure you use lots of pins in the corners and go slow. (I didn’t use enough pins.)

4. Sew all around the edges, leaving a 3-4″ hole on one side. Try to make that side NOT the top of your case.

4. Clip in if you have rounded corners, be careful not to cut your stitches.

5. Turn RSO. At this point, you could top stitch all around the edge and you’d have the equivalent of a Toddy Cloth. Cheap and cute, huh? But we’re not doing that, so carry on. Stuff your Peltex into the gap. You might have to bend/fold it, but trust me, it will go. However, if your seam allowance was too big or it’s just not working for you, you can trim a little more, no biggie. Just be careful not to trim TOO much!

6. Top stitch around the top edge of your case. I know it looks like it’s stitched together here, but it’s not. Sorry! Also note how I top stitched down the sides a little. That’s so it’s easier to get your sunnies into the case. Also note that I used a 1/4″ seam there, but I find the whole thing worked a lot better when I switched to 1/8″ seam. So do as I say not as I do. Use some binder clips to fold the case in half and stitch along the bottom and sides using 1/8″ seam. Stop when you reach your topstitching.

7. And voila! Totally cute and simple glasses case. It’s stiff so it’ll protect them better than a simple pouch and the lining will clean your lenses every time you pull them in or out. Check out those orange sunnies, so cute You could also add a little velcro tab but I’m lazy. :p