DIY These Heart-Shaped Sunglasses Cases This Galentine’s Day
Get your heart-shaped sunnies ready — it’s almost Galentine’s Day! If there’s any time of year to embrace pink, red and heart-shaped everything, it’s got to be the month of February. These DIY sunglasses cases are the perfect excuse to have some fun picking out cute colors and prints at the fabric store. Track down some heart-shaped sunglasses (we used these Forever 21 Mirrored Heart Sunglasses [$8]) and set aside the afternoon to DIY these cases for all your gal pals. A handmade Galentine’s Day gift that’s cute and functional? Yes, please!
Materials and Tools:
- ruler
- cotton fabric (solid and/or patterned)
- matching thread
- felt
- quilt batting
- heart-shaped sunglasses template
- yarn or cord
- buttons
- pins
- pencil
- scissors
- iron-on adhesive (such as Heat n Bond)
- sewing machine (not pictured)
- iron and ironing board (not pictured)
Instructions:
- Cut your fabric into 8 x 4 1/2-inch pieces. You will need two pieces of cotton lining, two pieces of cotton exterior and two pieces of quilt batting. This allows for 1/2-inch seam allowance on each side.
- Size, print and cut out the sunglasses template provided. Cut a piece of felt slightly larger than the paper template and a matching piece of Heat n Bond. Cut two pieces of cotton for the sunglass lenses and matching pieces of Heat n Bond.
- Following the directions included with your Heat n Bond, press each set of pieces to adhere.
- Once cool enough to touch, use a pencil to trace the sunglasses and lenses onto the paper backing of the Heat n Bond and cut out.
- Peel off the paper backing from the sunglasses and lenses and then arrange them on the cotton you already cut as the exterior of the sunglasses case.
- Once you’re happy with the placement, remove the sunglasses and press the lenses with the iron to adhere.
- Replace the felt sunglasses and press those to adhere as well — I used a thin press cloth over the felt to protect my iron, just in case.
- Time to sew! Put both the cotton liners together in a stack, and then layer quilt batting, exterior cotton, exterior cotton and quilt batting in another stack. Make sure the good sides of the cotton are together. Thread your sewing machine and stitch around three sides, leaving the one end open.
- Trim the excess seam allowance and then turn the quilt batting and cotton case right-side out. Slide the cotton lining into it so that all the seam allowance is hidden between the layers.
- Fold in the edge of cotton and quilt batting layer and fold the edge of cotton lining too so that the raw edges are invisible, sandwiched between the fabric layers. Check that your sunglasses fit inside the case nicely and then pin the folded edges in place.
- Cut a short piece of yarn or cord and slide each end between the two folded edges as shown, forming a small U centered on the front of the sunglasses case. This will act as the button loop, so make sure the yarn loop isn’t too small for your button.
- On your sewing machine, sew the folded edges of the sunglasses case, making sure to catch both layers. Finally, thread a needle with matching thread and sew on a button opposite the yarn loop, tying off securely.
Cut your fabric into 8 x 4 1/2-inch pieces. You will need two pieces of cotton lining, two pieces of cotton exterior and two pieces of quilt batting. This allows for 1/2-inch seam allowance on each side. Double check these measurements with your sunglasses — if you have an oversized pair, you may need to adjust the case size.
Print and cut out the sunglasses template provided. Cut a piece of felt slightly larger than the paper template and a matching piece of Heat n Bond. Cut two pieces of cotton for the sunglass lenses and matching pieces of Heat n Bond. Try to use contrasting colors for the felt, lenses and case exterior to make it look sharp.
Following the directions included with your Heat n Bond, iron each set of pieces to adhere together.
Once the pieces are cool enough to touch, use a pencil to trace around the sunglasses and lenses templates onto the paper backing of the Heat n Bond. It helps to trace the heart-shaped lenses slightly bigger than the heart-shaped opening so that you have some wiggle room when ironing in place. Carefully cut out using sharp fabric scissors.
Peel off the paper backing from the sunglasses and lenses, and then arrange them on the cotton you already cut as the exterior of the sunglasses case. Keep it mostly centered, but slightly closer to the left side — it doesn’t hurt to leave a little extra fabric for finishing the case opening later.
Once you’re happy with the placement, carefully remove the felt sunglasses and press the lenses with the iron to adhere. Replace the felt sunglasses and press to adhere. I used a thin press cloth over the felt to protect my iron just in case.
Time to get sewing! Place both the cotton liners together in one stack, and then layer quilt batting, exterior cotton, exterior cotton and quilt batting in another stack. Make sure the good sides of the cotton are together! Thread your sewing machine and stitch around three sides, leaving the one end open.
Trim the excess seam allowance, especially in the corners, and then turn the quilt batting and cotton case right-side out. Slide the cotton lining into it so that all the seam allowance is hidden between the layers.
Fold in the edge of cotton and quilt batting layer and then fold the edge of the cotton lining so that the raw edges are sandwiched between the fabric layers. Check that your sunglasses fit inside the case nicely, and then pin the folded edges to secure.
Cut a short piece of yarn (about 1 1/2 inches) and slide each end between the two folded edges as shown, forming a small U centered on the front of the sunglasses case. This will act as the button loop, so make sure it isn’t too small for your button.
On your sewing machine, sew the folded edges of the sunglasses case, making sure to catch both layers. Finally, thread a needle with matching thread and sew on a button opposite the yarn loop, tying off securely.
Don’t forget to make an extra sunglasses case for yourself! ;)
What are your plans for Galentine’s Day? Share your photos with us on Instagram using the hashtag #britstagram and #iamcreative, and follow us on Pinterest for more DIY gifting inspo!
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