I have a habit of taking off my sunglasses and shoving them willy-nilly into my purse. I will be the first to admit I don’t buy fancy sunglasses, these are the $19.99 (or less) kind you can pick up at a local convenience store, but looking through scratched up lenses isn’t good for the eyes. So when my last pair finally past the threshold of what I could stand and I broke down last weekend to purchase a new pair, I knew it was also time to purchase or make a sunglasses case to carry in my purse as well. I looked at the cases for sale for $5 when I bought the sunglasses, but the interior fabric that they would rub against was so coarse to the touch that I quickly decided to sew something instead.
As you can see above, I used the last of some pretty cute novelty prints for the two cases that will live in my purse (one for me and a matching second case for my husband’s sunglasses that I also inevitably carry). I learned a few lessons sewing the first two cases together, so I thought I’d share a quick photo tutorial for anyone who might be interested in making a simple sunglasses case, too.
I chose to use soft flannel for the interior of the case and coordinating quilting cotton prints for the exterior. If you chose to go with quilting cotton inside and out, you might want to consider using fusible fleece on the back side of the exterior fabric.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 1
Exterior Fabric (Quilting Cotton) – Cut (2) 4 5/8-inch by 7 1/4-inch rectangles
Interior Fabric (Flannel) – Cut (2) 4 1/2-inch by 7 1/2-inch rectangles
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 1 (Size Details)
You will not need to pair up your fabrics like in the image above, but I am using it as an illustration of the subtle size difference between the exterior and interior pieces. By making the exterior rectangle slightly wider and shorter, the interior (flannel) will fit inside easily and when folded right side out, a small cuff of the interior fabric will show as a band on the outside.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 2
Pair interior fabric, right sides together, and sew around 3 sides using a 1/4-inch seam allowance (leaving a short edge open). Repeat with the exterior fabric.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 2 (Detail)
I like to back-stitch at the beginning and end of the seams.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 3
Turn the interior fabric about halfway right-side-out. The first time I made the case, I carefully turned the interior fully right-side-out and used a chopstick to press the corners out… only to realize later that I would need to turn this the other way and re-press the corners back the other way. So my suggestion is to turn this only as far back as necessary, which is about halfway.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 4
Insert the halfway turned interior inside the opening of the exterior fabric so that interior and exterior fabrics are right sides together. Align the side seams and raw edges. I like to pin about 1-inch from each side seam on one side and halfway along the other side.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 5
Starting about 1/2-inch from a seam (1/2-inch away from a pin), sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance around the top. Stop after you pass the second seam by about 1/2-inch (before you get to the pin), leaving a gap through which to turn the case right side out. I back-stitch at the beginning and end of this seam as well.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 5 (Gap Detail)
In the photo above you can see the generous gap that is left to turn the case right-side-out.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 6
Through the hole that you left, pull both the inner and outer fabric through. This is your best chance to use a tool to poke the corners of the outer fabric square. Do not worry about pushing the inner fabric out; it can stay like this until you get the outer fabric turned and pressed.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 7
Once you are satisfied with the outer fabric, use a tool (like a chopstick) to press the sewn shut end short seam of the inner fabric and press the inner fabric lining inside the outer fabric sleeve. At this point, I take a bit of time to work the two fabrics together. I use a chopstick to press the corners together and then I hold the short end in one hand and smooth toward the opening (where the fabrics were turned). I keep gently working this until the fabrics lay nice and flat nested together. Because of the offset in length of the original rectangles, the inner fabric will fold back at the opening. Finger press a 1/4-inch seam for the outer fabric along the gap that was not sewn and set with your iron.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 8
The final step is the trickiest. Carefully placing only the edge you want to be sewing under your presser foot, sew a top seam around the edge of the top fabric. This will close the gap left to turn the case and put a nice finishing detail on the sunglasses case.
Simple Sunglasses Case – Step 8 (Detail)
The photo above shows how I like to start sewing this final seam. I will carefully position and start the seam and sew about 10-12 stitches before stopping, readjusting, and moving forward again. The first time I sewed the case, I sewed it closed (it happens). I just used my trusty seam ripper to remove the stitching and started again. It feels awkward at first, but now that I have created 3 cases, I can say that it is something that I got used to fairly quickly.
Simple Sunglasses Case – ENJOY!
The sunglasses case is simple (only really requiring 4 seams to be sewn), but it works! I like how flat the cases fold and store in my purse when not in use, and so far I have been good about remembering to use them.
Linking up with Tips and Tutorials Tuesday (linkup opens Tuesday, August 22nd).
great idea, less bulky than bought hard cases, and great tute.
Wonderful tutorial, beautiful outcome! I really like the idea that this lends itself to making many other cases for things. Thank you very much!
Great tut! A quick and useful item for sure.
Nice tutorial.
Great tutorial Yvonne!! YEARS ago I made one just like this but with a cross-stitched front for a Christmas present for my dad. After he died my mum gave it to me with his reading glasses inside! I never thought to make another for the bigger sunglasses I have that don’t fit into my hard case so I might have to get on this now I see yours!
Thanks for sharing. I need to do this, mine also get lost in my purse. I like that it isn’t bulky!
This is a really good tutorial, Yvonne. Thank you! I have made fabric sunglasses cases too, but I need to make new ones. You see, I keep a pair of cheap ones in our golf cart (that’s our primary form of transportation here; we don’t golf!) and the sun has bleached the fabric print so badly that the design is nearly gone! Yep, that Florida sun is intense! Now, thanks to you, I’m adding a couple sunglass cases to my to-do list.
Thank you, love this, easy to make, will make great small gifts for Christmas.
I love the novelty case, so bright and cheerful. The great thing about your cases is you made them seem so simple to make, and they will take up much less room than a hard case. A great tutorial, thank you.
This is one project that I think will fit easily into my packed schedule. Looking forward to trying this tutorial. Take care, Mary.
Super cute! And I love how practical they are 🙂
Great tutorial! I love the simple design and the fabrics you used.
I need one ! Thanks for the tutorial!!!
Great tutorial, Yvonne.
If you were blind like me and needed expensive prescription lenses, you would never be so reckless as to shove glasses in bags willy-nilly! 🙂
The flannel is a great idea to add just a little more protection! Great tutorial!
Thank you for sharing this. I have some leftover flannel that would be perfect. Now I just need the time.
Great case! My sunglasses are prescription so they are in a hard case, but I like how much less room this one takes up. I may make one. Thanks for the tutorial!