I love designing small sewing projects that make great gifts. I designed this glasses case pattern so you could make a fun colorful sunglasses case to gift to a friend (or yourself!). This pattern would also work well if you want to make a reading glasses case.
There are two things you should know about me (cause I know it was keeping you on the edge of your seat *wink*):
Table of Contents
1) I ALWAYS have a pair of sunglasses with me, I can’t drive without them, the sun hurts my eyes.
2) My purse is a MESS. All of the sunglass cases I had before were too heavy so I didn’t carry them around with me.
I made this simple glasses case to be lightweight enough to not weigh me down, and the pom pom attachment will make them quick to spot in my purse.
If you’d like to make the pom pom zipper pulls also click here for a free tutorial to make them.
Note: If you would prefer a PDF version of this pattern instead, you can get one in the shop.
How to Get the Zippered Sunglasses Case Pattern
Option 1:
You can find a printable version of the pattern in our shop.
This sunglasses case comes in two sizes. The smaller one I think is great for glasses. (It would be perfect for reading glasses!).
The larger size is a better glasses case for Sunglasses since they tend to be larger than regular glasses You can pick which size you’d like to make.
Option 2:
Grab the printable pattern piece in our library and read the instructions on the site. This will only email you the pattern piece, not the full pattern.
Video Instructions
You can find a video series walking you through the steps to create the sunglass case on my YouTube Channel.
Supplies
- 2 Fat Quarters – the fabrics here are from the So Happy Together Line from Riley Blake (it has been retired for a number of years).
- ½ yard ¼″ foam – You can use auto liner foam from the fabric store or Pellon Flex Foam (non-fusible), you can also use fusible fleece if you can’t find flex foam.
- 7″ zipper
- A Scrap of colored canvas or other solid fabric
- Piece of Heat N Bond Lite
- Pattern Piece download it in the Sewing Template Library
Recommended Supplies:
Small Scissors to Cut the Applique- these are my ABSOLUTE favorites, sharp and perfect for cutting small pieces.
Sewing Instructions
1: Print the Glasses Pattern Piece
Print and cut out your pattern piece. Make sure your page scaling is set to NONE in Acrobat.
2. Cut Out your Fabric
From pattern piece cut 2 pieces for case front and back and 2 pieces for lining front and back.
Cut out 2 pieces of foam using your pattern piece.
3. Create the Sunnies Applique
Using a lightbox (or a bright window) trace the word “sunnies” onto your piece of wonder under. Make sure the words are REVERSED. To do this just put the paper upside down when you trace.
Cut out the words loosely. It does not need to be precise at this point. Press onto your piece of canvas.
Cut out the letters again, this time precisely.
4. Attach Words to Sunglasses Case
Remove backing and press to case front. Stitch through the center of letters to secure.
5. Attach the Zipper
Note: If you purchased fusible Flex Foam, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the lining pieces. Then follow the directions below.
Layer wrong side of case front onto foam piece.
Place zipper right side down on top of case front piece.
Place lining piece right side down on top of the zipper (the wrong side of the zipper).
Using your zipper foot, stitch all layers together.
Repeat for the case back piece.
It will look like this.
Press top seam well and top stitch along the zipper. This will keep the lining from catching in the zipper.
Unzip the Zipper. (DON’T forget this step)
6. Stitch Case Outside Seam
Pin case front and case back pieces together, lining front and lining back pieces together. Using a ¼″ seam stitch. Leave a 3″ opening in the lining piece to turn right side out.
Clip your curves and corners well. Trim down all seam allowances.
Turn right side out and press. Hand-stitch opening closed.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!
Make sure you check out the tutorial for the pom pom zipper pulls that I attached to the case.
More Fun Small Sewing Projects:
Free iPad Case Sewing Tutorial
Caroline says
Super cute, thanks for the tutorial:)
Katy says
These look great, I just wish I could remember to unite my sunglasses with their cases! Maybe a nice one like this will be a good incentive…
I just lost a pair of sunglasses yesterday, I should take my own advice *wink*
Anita says
Very cute! Thanks for the tut 🙂
Adeline Brill says
Oh so ready to make a bunch of these for family and friends!! Thank you!
Jess Abbott says
Melissa – these are just the cutest things ever, I love them!
Thanks Jess!!
btw I’m dying of jealousy at your fun weekend in LA…
Frederika says
Wonderful! Thank you Melissa for the great tutorial. I made my first sunglasses case this very morning and I love it.
The tutorial was easy to follow, no excuse for not making many more…Guess what my son will give his teacher!
Thanks again
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Khris says
Thanks for another cute tutorial…I have shared it on my Freebies For Crafters blog.
Kind Regards, Khris
Thanks for sharing!
Debra Kay Neiman says
This is so fun! crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
Callie says
I LOVE the tutorial! Where can I purchase that 1/4″ foam? It has been hard to find.
Sew Private says
What kind and weight is the foam you used? Thanks.
Judy G says
Cute idea. I made one tonight with what I had on hand. I used Soft and Stable. If I make another one, I will try using fusible fleece. Next time I will cut the zipper a little shorter and use tabs on both ends. That’s how I usually make my zipper pouches. Thanks for the tutorial and pattern.