Fun Glasses Case Sewing Tutorial with snap closure

Learn how to make a snap glasses case, perfect for glasses and sunglasses with this easy project – use your favorite fabric with this glasses case sewing tutorial.

Are you like me? Loose your glasses and sunglasses all the time? The joy of making your own glasses case with fun fabric means you will spot your case from a distance.

These easy snap glasses cases are perfect for my bags, car, and any surface I happened to have placed my glasses down! You can choose to work with one bright vibrant fabric or create a patchwork case. I am going to show you how to make a patchwork case.

This is the perfect project for using up small pieces or scrap pieces of fabric, an attempt to destash my sewing room! Today I am joining in with other bloggers in sharing destash projects.

Today I am going to show you two choices of design (two pieces of fabric or patchwork fabric) plus two types of snaps.

Two methods: Flex Frame, Metal Tape Measure

I’m going to show you just how easy it is to use either a premade flex frame or alternatively the measure tape technique. Snap fasteners come in a variety of sizes so you will need to choose one appropriate for the size of your glasses, sunglasses are often wider for instance than reading glasses.

The step-by-step instructions are very similar so read through before you start and decide which snap fastening you are going to use.

Patchwork Snap Sunglasses Case DIY

You can choose whether to make the case with two contrasting fabrics or whether you like the idea scrap fabric quilting. Personally, I love using fabric scraps to make a fun design, perfect for a sunglasses case. Have fun with your fabric options.

If you have not sewn fabric scraps together in a quilt-as-you-go manner before it is super easy, I will show you how. This technique is perfect for using the jelly roll of fabric I “accidentally” treated myself to with no project in mind! (I trust I’m not the only one). I just couldn’t resist the cute fabric prints.

Video Tutorial

Easy Snap Glasses Case Sewing Tutorial

Materials:

• External fabric
• Contrasting Fabric for snap casing
• Lining Fabric
• Fusible Fleece
• Thin Wadding
• Flex frame or Metal Tape Measure & Washi Tape

Step 1 – Work out the size of your finished snap glasses case and pattern pieces

First of all, let’s start by working out the finished measurements of your sunglasses case. Your finished case needs to be long enough and wide enough for your glasses.

• Length = length of frame, plus 1 inch
• Depth = the depth of the frame, add 1.5 inches
• Casing fabric = the depth of the frame plus an inch by 3 1/2″

For my finished glasses case I have used:

• 2 Outer fabric pieces 8 by 4 1/2″
• 2 Internal lining fabric pieces 8 by 4 1/2″
• 4 Case pieces 3/ 1/2 by 4 1/2″

Step 2 Quilt as you go fabric scraps

If you are using two pieces of fabric skip to step 3.

If you are using a patchwork fabric now is the time to sew your patchwork pieces together (see above). I always start with a larger piece of batting than required in the pattern.

Start centrally-ish on your batting, lay a piece of one of your favorite fabrics right sides facing you, place a second piece of fabric, which is the same length, on the top, the wrong side facing you. Stitch through the three layers of fabric with a 1/4″ seam allowance and straight stitch, thus attaching the fabric to the batting.

Open out your seam and press. It really is worth taking the extra few seconds to press as you go along as it makes such a difference to the finish.

Place your next piece of quilting fabric wrong side facing you, and raw edge aligning an existing raw edge, stitch and then open out.

Keep building up your fabric pieces, feel free to throw in the odd diagonal line, remove any excess fabric as you go. Keep happily stitching until you have quilted the area required for the pattern pieces.

Step 3 Prepare external panels

Trim the quilt-as-you-go panels to the required size using a quilters ruler, cutting mat and rotary cutter.

If you are using one fabric instead iron your fusible fleece to the wrong side of your main fabric, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 4 Casing for Snap Fastener

To prepare your casing fabric add fusible fleece to the wrong side of the fabric, following the manufacturer’s instructions.  Place the fabric right sides together and machine stitch along the sides with a 1/4″ inch seam allowance.

Trim the fusible fleece from the seam allowance to help reduce bulk. Then turn right side out.

Fold over in half along the length and then check that the flex frame fits (if that is the method you have chosen) – if need be make small adjustments to the seam allowance for a neat fit.  

Repeat for the second side.

Fold the cases in half along the long edge.

Step 6 Assemble the snap-fastening sunglasses case

Place the two casings so the raw edges align with the top edge of the right side of the external panels. Baste in place.

Place the lining fabric on top so the wrong side is facing you. Stitch the seam at 1/4″ seam allowance.

Open out the fabric so you have two long rectangles, and place them on top of each other so the right sides face each other (like you do if you are making a zipper flat bottom bag).

Stitch around the fabric rectangle leaving a turning gap at the base of the lining, using a 1/4″ seam allowance, ensuring you do not catch the casing as you stitch. Trim the corners to reduce bulk.

Turn right side out through your turning gap.

Using a ladder stitch or top stitch close the turning gap in the bottom edge of the lining.

Step 7 Insert snap fastener or metal tape measure pieces.

This is the last step.

Flex frame – Insert into the casing. Join the opposite edge and insert the small bar that came with your frame.

Metal Tape Measure – Cut the tape measure to the required size using regular scissors (don’t blunt your fabric scissors on the metal!), trim the corners to make them a little smoother. Next add washi tape or masking tape along these cut edges so they are not sharp.

Insert the tape measure into the casing, then hand stitch to close the openings of the casing encasing the metal tape.

There you have it the perfect eye-catching case for your pair of sunglasses.

I hope you love your cute soft eyeglass cases made with your grogeous fabric scraps. Looking for further fabric scrap projects then check out my round up post of fun sewing projects.

I’m joining the Craft Room De-Stash Challenge today with this project, I am glad to have made a small dent in my stash of fabric scraps.

• Beverly | Across the Blvd
• Gail | Purple Hues and Me
• T’onna | Sew Crafty Crochet
• Marci | Stone Cottage Adventures
• Allyson | Southern Sunflowers
• Julie | Sum of their Stories
• Joanne | My Slices of Life