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Thursday, April 12, 2012

How to sew a cell phone case.

After my previous publication, many of you let me know that  wanted  a tutorial on
how to make an iPod case, I was happy to receive many personal messages with this
request and that is why I am here with you today to share my first tutorial about
sewing.
I have to admit that I started this tutorial several times, always trying to be
clear, I discovered that it is not easy to put into words the actions we take
almost automatically, but I will try to do it the best way that I can.
This time I decided to make a case for my phone and since I had a pair of jeans I
wanted to recycle , I did it and  the result is in the picture. In this tutorial I
will show you the steps that I did to sew this cell case.

1) The first thing to do is take the measures and draft a pattern.

We have to create tree patterns, one for the front,one for the back and one for the
flap.
In order to create the patterns we must take the following measures of our device
-with
-length
-thickness of our device ( cell, ipod or iphone or.....)

If you want a page with the measures to create the case, click here

Let's start by creating the pattern of the back side (pattern A). Let's draw a
rectangle, to determine the width of the rectangle, we just add the following
measures witdth + thickness + 1''.
To determine the height of the pattern, measure the height and
add 1''.













To create the pattern of the front (pattern B), we will draw another rectangle
where the width will be the same as in the back pattern (width + thickness + 1'') and the
height will be the high + 1/2''.

Now we still have to draw the last pattern, the flap ( pattern C). Let's draw
another rectangle the width will be the same as used for the back, the high will be
3''. If you look at my picture you will see that in the corners of my rectangle  I measuring a 1/2''
in and I traced lines to draw the sides of the flap.


2)  Now that we have the patterns ready, let's cut the pieces.

from the pattern A( back) :
 -one outside fabric
-one piece of pellon or timtex (something stiffener)
- one piece of lining fabric

from the pattern B ( front)
-one outside fabric
-one piece of pellon or timtex (something stiffener)
- one piece of lining fabric

from de pattern C  ( flap)
-one outside fabric
-one piece of pellon or timtex (something stiffener)
- one piece of lining fabric

 We also need a piece of velcro for the closure of the case, a snap hook and a strip
of cloth to hold the hook.

3)Preparing the outside fabrics

I started here, I wanted to recycle an old pair of jeans that I had  ,in this photo you see my three pieces of fabric to make the outside of my case.
I wanted to recycle this part of the jean, I do not know the name but is at the waist
where the belt is passed. I thought it would be perfect to put my case with a belt.



Here are my three pieces of fabric ready to start sewing my case.
The case will close with velcro, but I wanted to decorate my flap with a button and
a buttonhole, to give an accent to the flap.


4) Create the strap for the snap hook .


Looking at the photos I took, I think you will understand how to prepare the strap
to hold the hook. The pictures belong to another case I've done, but the steps are
the same.
I cut a strip of fabric: 1.5'' x2.5'' and a band of Pellon 1.5'.
The width of my snap hook is 3/4''.
Put a strip of Pellon, in the center of the band of fabric. Fold one side of the
fabric towards the middle, double the other side of the fabric to 1/8'' and then
folded towards the center of the band and sew both sides of the strap. Slide the
clasp onto the strap, fold in half and stitch close to clasp as possible.



5) Sew the velcro in place


 We are going to sew  the velcro in the lining of the pattern C (flap) 1 "from the
edge
and on the outside fabric pattern B (front) also 1" from the edge
6) We began to put all the pieces together  ( sewing)


Pin the flap( outside fabric) and the back ( outside fabric) right sides together,
aligning the row edges and sew together






















Now with the right side facing you , we going  to place the strap with the hook, you
have to decide now how long you want your strap, place the front fabric right side
down (do not forget to check the strap with the hook is well centered ), and sew
all around the edges leaving the top open









clip the corners

align the side seam with the seam of the base and sew





turn right side out



We ended up with the outside of the case, we will continue with the inside
7) Make the lining


-Pin the flap( lining) and the back (lining) right sides together, aligning the row
edges and sew together
- place the back right side facing you and place the front piece right sides
together, aligning the row edges and sew together, leaving 2" of the bottom open.



8) Attach the lining to the exterior fabric



With right sides together, place the exterior fabric inside the lining

Now we have to sew along the top and the flap.
There are places where I could not sew with the machine then I finished sewing by
hand


Turn right side out by pulling the exterior fabric through the opening


Now we sew the opening with the machine and push the lining inside of the the case.

Now is the time to enjoy our new case




Do you remember the crazy quilt ipod case I did in the previous tutorial? This iPod
case was made with these patterns, what I did was create the pieces of fabric with
the technique of crazy quilt and then, the sewing was done following the steps I just showed
you. If this is your first time coming to my blog, the tutorial to create the crazy
quilt is here.

 I used this patterns


to create this crazy quilt ipod case


I hope you liked this tutorial, I did it gladly. I wait for your  comments and
hopefully you try to sew one for you and maybe more to give to your family or
friends. What I think is good in my tutorial, is that no matter what the size of
your device, you can adapt the pattern and create a case with your measurement.

In my next publication I will show you how I did to create the fabric for this 
cell case, I give you an idea...I  use scraps again.



After the publication of my tutorial, I received several messages asking for a pdf to download the tutorial. Just click here and you will go directly to the page where you can download  it.
 If you have any problem to download it, I would appreciate you let me know. This tutorial is for personal use,you can create the case  for  you or to sell, if you do one of my projects I only ask you to do a link to my blog for the tutorial.

I'm linking this project to Positively  Splendid, Creating my way to SuccessSew Many Ways , The Pin Junkie and to Threading My Way.
I also linking to Hogar-Mujer this is a Spanish blog that I love!

Do not forget comments and followers are welcome, see you in my next tutorial.
Have a nice day and enjoy!!!
Marisa.
 
This project was featured at :
 
http://patternpile.com/sewing-patterns/the-sidekick-mini-suitcase-epattern-free-sewing-tutorial/
 

24 comments:

  1. Qué alegría Marisa , soy la primera en dejarte mi comentario. Wauuuu . Esto es increíble. Además de ser original y único es super ecológico. Desde tu trabajo estás BENEFICIANDO AL PLANETA ( habló la Profesora de Biología) Imaginate que estamos Internacional de las Energía Renovables( que no se agotan) y vos estás haciendo maravillas reciclando ropa. Sos un ejemplo para todos .Continúa . Te felicito de todo corazón. Beso grandote de tu prima Ana de Montevideo Uruguay

    ReplyDelete
  2. Y yo soy la segunda.LOLLLL
    Marisa you have done a great job with the tutorial. Well done.
    They are all so pretty. I love the crazy patchwork one because it uses scraps and the denim one because it uses bits of old jeans. I can't wait to make one. Only problem I have now is which fabrics to choose. LOLL
    Decisions, decisions. I may end up making a few. LOL
    Thanks, it's always a pleasure to come and see your creations.
    y un beso grande para toda su ayuda. LOLL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fa!!! Marisa , qué cambio de look. La verdad que te animaste y te queda bárbaro. Te más iluminación a tu rostro ese corte moderno. Es difícil tomar una desición , pero la verdad te felicito...saliste muy favorecida. Un beso enorme, tu prima Ana desde Montevideo, Uruguay

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marisa, You did a great job of presenting the instructions. I will try this on my own. I like how you incorporated the brand of jeans on the back of the case. Too cute!

    Diana in VA (USA)

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  5. Great tutorial. All the photos really help make it clear. Thank you.

    BJ in TX

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  6. Super way to use up my scraps. Thank you. I have a question, though. Is it possible for you to make a case for our sunglasses? Ours are not the nice small ones, but the larger ones that go over our glasses and there just are no cases for these. You do such a great job of creating and making the photos and I thought maybe I'm not the only one that needs these larger cases.

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, I'm glad you liked the tutorial. To answer your question, I just added on my list of tutorials to do, how to sew a case for our sunglasses . However, first I have other projects that I have already begun and I have to finish, in the meantime I'll give you a link to the blog of a friend, she created a case and in her post you will find the link to a tutorial (how to create a case for our sunglasses). Thanks again for visiting my blog and for live a comment, it is really appreciated.

      http://miacreates.blogspot.ca/2012/04/sunglasses-case-yo-yo-key-chain.html

      Marisa.

      Delete
  7. Thanks for the tutorial. I'll have to give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is an awesome phone case and a great way to reuse jeans!!! I love how you've kept the jeans label on the back of the case. Thanks for sharing your detailed tutorial, Marisa...

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  9. What cute little cases which would make great little Xmas Stocking fillers. Your instructions are very well detailed and look easy to follow. Time to use up some of those left-over scraps. Thanks Marisa.

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  10. These little cases are darling! I am going to try it out right away. Your tutorial is very detailed and the pictures definitely make it more understandable.

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  11. Easy to maintain and install. When you use such accessories, there is no need for you to clean your mobile phone regularly. All you have to do is to wipe off the dust in the cover from time to time.

    e_cell

    ReplyDelete
  12. Greаt рost. I waѕ сhecking cοnstantly this blog anԁ І'm impressed! Very useful info particularly the last part :) I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

    My web blog ... Eternity rings

    ReplyDelete
  13. Graciass Marisa esta genial este cobertor para el cel.
    Yo que no sirvo para la costura te digo que lo explicaste tan bien que hasta lo haces ver sencillo =)

    Es una forma muy bonita de reciclar las telas, me encanta.

    Gracias por unirte al carnaval, solo te falto enlazar el linky a tu post. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  14. Te ha quedado muy bien y está estupendo para darle larga vida al celular!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. te ha quedado divino!!!

    regreso la visita desde SoyMama blog.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Muy lindo ! un excelente tutorial, gracias por tomarte el tiempo de compartir todo con nosotras

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Marisa, I've featured your fabulous tutorial in a roundup of electronic gadget covers...
    http://www.threadingmyway.com/2014/04/ten-electronic-gadget-cover-tutorials.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am about to sew the cellphone pouch. I hope to add piping, but we'll see if I am that brave. Can you tell me what seams you used- 3/8 or 1/4?

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's just perfect and amazing ideas of cell phone "case" ,..Thanks a lot for this helpful article,.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am really a selfie girl. That's the truth and I really need this selfie case.
    Selfie Case

    ReplyDelete
  21. Really nice tutorial and I am inspired to try my hand at one. Thank you for your time and effort .

    ReplyDelete

I love getting comments from you,I want to let you know that I read and savour each and every one of your comments, and appreciate them totally. Thanks for taking the time to leave me a message, it is your comments that feed my inspiration!