Just in time for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or even Graduation Day… a pretty case for eyeglasses or sunglasses makes a great gift. You need just a little bit o’ fabric and a little bit o’ time to whip up one (or several). If you’re a S4H regular, you know our R&R posts are a fun way to see how one project can turn out an unlimited number of ways, depending on the choices you make with fabrics, trims and notions. This project was initially part of a Valentine’s Series. We used the pretty ruffle accent of the original design on two cases, but left it off the other two samples for a clean, “guy-friendly” look. The cases are quilted for soft protection and lined to help keep your lenses scratch-free.
This is a great ScrapBuster project, and we dipped into our own stash for all the fabric. The print fabrics are from the Birds & Berries collection by Lauren + Jessi Jung for Moda. For each case, we used three coordinating 10 x 10 layer cake squares: one for the exterior, one for the lining and one for the ruffle. The quilting stitches follow a traditional diamond pattern on the green sample, but on the purple sample, we followed the fabric’s motif for a more interesting look.
The solid cases use twill and canvas scraps lined with soft brushed-cotton plaids from Moda’s Wee Wovens Brights collection. We love how that pop of color peeks out from the inside. We played with the quilting stitches on the exterior of these plain cases as well, using contrasting thread colors and geometric stitching patterns.
- For the plain (non-ruffle) cases, quilt both the front and back with decorative stitching and place the loop and keyring 1″ down from the top raw edge.
- Follow the original instructions to create the exterior case and the lining. Fold down the top raw edge of the exterior ½” and press in place. Fold down the top raw edge of the lining ¾” and press in place. With the exterior wrong side out and the lining right side out, slip the exterior inside the lining so the two are now wrong sides together. Pin in place around the top folded edges. The lining should fall below the exterior.
- Topstitch ¼” from the folded edge of the exterior, which will just catch the folded edge of the lining.
- Turn right side out and press well.
To Re-imagine & Renovate your own Glasses Case, go to the original tutorial:
Glasses Case With Pretty Ruffle & Handy Key Ring
Hints and Tips
As we always mention when it comes to finding fabric, If you love a fabric, get it while you can. Because, like fashionable apparel, popular fabrics come and go; at some point, even the most amazing fabrics are no longer in stores or online. You can check your favorite fabric source to find out if they have it in stock or can get it for you. Be sure to look at our Marketplace for our fave sources. You can also try Googling the fabric name along with the designer’s name or the design house. Prints from older collections can also sometimes be found on Etsy or eBay.
Looking for more information on blending, mixing and matching your fabrics? Check out these tutorials:
How to Mix & Match Designer Fabric Collections
How to Create A Fabric Palette
Mixing & Matching Colors, Patterns & Textures
Making the Right Fabric Choice
Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation: Debbie Guild
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