I Can See Clearly: Stylish Sunglass Case
Summer’s here… the sun is shining – which means you have an excuse to update your shades. I have another reason why I want to update my sunglasses this year- one that I am pretty excited about.
I got reader contacts 2 weeks ago and no longer need my cheap-o bought at a flea market reader sunglasses. I don’t even need to wear my progressive prescription eyeglasses anymore since I now have Multi-focal contacts.
If you like my phone cover, you can make your own with this tutorial!
When I was in my late 40’s, reading small print became a problem. I did not need glasses to see around me – only to read. I used to buy them at the dollar store. If you have worn readers you know what a hassle they are to wear – always having to look over them to see when not reading and no way was I going to wear them chained around my neck!
I did eventually get progressive readers (photo above) that had the reader prescription in bottom half of the lens and clear glass on the top. I have been wearing these for about 2 years, but didn’t like the dents they left on the bridge of my nose. They never go away. I bought a few different styles of eyeglasses to try to see if one would alleviate the problem, but the darn dents always were present no matter what style frame I wore. I dearly wanted contacts.
I am kind-of…well not kind-of, but VERY squeamish about eyes. I would rather go to the dentist than the eye doctor. I didn’t think I would be able to get contacts in my eyes and then out again. I have watched my sisters and daughters put them in and out for years, but it gave me shivers to think about putting them in my own eyes. About a month ago when the bridge of my nose bled, I knew I had to get tough and go for the contacts.
The first few days were challenging getting them in – it took 15 minutes or longer for each eye, but everyone told me it would get easier and it has. I can get them in on the first try now. I still am getting the prescription tweaked so I can see clearly far and near, but I am happy to not have to wear glasses all day long anymore.
To celebrate my victory of getting over my fear of wearing contacts, I bought a new pair of plain ol’ sunglasses to wear when I have the contacts in. I want to keep them safe from scratches when they are not being worn and made a pretty case for them.
I could have bought a case, but I could not find one in a style I liked or that did not have an outrageous price tag. Since everything I used to make my new sunglass case was scraps from other projects, the case was basically a freebie – a little DIY perk you get when you save scraps from larger projects. Even the Velcro I used so the case stays closed and the glasses won’t slip out in my purse, is a leftover scrap.
I used two different types of fabric – the black dot fabric may look familiar to you since I used it in my powder room makeover. The lining fabric is from another project that I have not posted about yet. I chose to use a soft fabric for the lining and the vinyl for the outside so it will be easy to clean when it gets dirty in my tote or purse.
How To Make a Closeable Eyeglass or Sunglass Case
supplies needed:
- 2 squares of fabric – 7 -1/2 x 7-1/2″ If your glasses are large – make the square a bit bigger.
- 1 square padded adhesive backed interfacing cut to the same 7 – 1/2″ size
- Velcro – Cut 2: – 2-1/2″ long pieces. I used sticky back, but sewed it on
- Scissors
- Sewing machine and thread to match fabric
1. Cut the fabric and batting into squares.
2. Lay lining fabric right side up. Remove the adhesive strips on Velcro and place it with both hook and loop sides attached – 1/2″ down from top and side edge of fabric.
3. Fold the fabric over so sides evenly match up. Press where the Velcro strip is and then carefully pull the fabric open again.
4. This will place the other side of the Velcro exactly where you need it so the two sides match up when the case is completed.
Sew Velcro to lining fabric with sewing machine. Even though it is sticky back Velcro, it won’t stay on the fabric for the long run without sewing.
5. Press the padded adhesive backed interfacing onto the back of the lining fabric.
6. Place the lining and outside fabric pattern side in on top of each other.
7. Stitch along the top edge. I used 1/4″ for all seams.
8. Open up the fabric and then fold it over lengthwise pattern side in.
9. Stitch a seam along the open long edge and the outside fabric end.
10. Turn the tube so the pattern sides of the fabrics are face out and then stitch the lining end closed.
11. Push the lining into the outside fabric to create the case. It may be bulky to get the lining inside to lay flat. I gently pushed a ruler around inside the case to get it straight.
Now I can carry and keep my new shades safe in my tote and purse this summer. I am hoping it is a beautiful and sunny one.
