Eyeglass Case Pattern

More Uses for Upholstery Fabric

These slightly oversize eyeglass cases and Post-it Note cases are stiffened with the same clear plastic I use to make panadieres.

Also, like my panadiere pattern, they can be made using pages from upholstery sample books or any other heavy weight fabric.

I save the full pages from my sample books for panadieres and use the half pages and strips for smaller projects like these.

Some of the sample pages have patterns that can form a clear front and back to the eyeglass case like the one above. Here is a picture of its back.

The eyeglass cases have a soft cloth divider down the center to accommodate and protect two pair of glasses.

No more need to rummage in your purse for your reading glass case and invariably come up with the sunglass one, or vice versa.

Double Eyeglass Case Materials

1. Upholstery or similar heavy fabric at least 8 ½ x 6 ¾.
2. Soft fabric for the lining and the divider to protect your glasses from scratching each other. You'll cut two pieces approximately 8 ½ x 6 ¾.
3. One 8 ¾ x 11 ¼ -inch plastic report cover (the kind used to make your own spiral bound books).

How to Make the Double Eyeglass Case

1. Here is the pattern.

Click on it to copy. Paste it into a new document in your word editor or graphic software.

Size it to 6 7/8 inches tall by 4 ¼ inches wide and print.

2. Decide what part of the pattern you want on your eyeglass case and double the upholstery fabric. Pin the pattern to the folded fabric, lining up the fold to the side indicating "Fold". Cut on the solid line.

3. Cut the lining the same way.

4. Use the pattern similarly to cut the divider piece. Instead of rounding the top, cut straight across as indicated by the inner solid line.

5. Use a glue stick to adhere the pattern to a plastic report cover with the fold line along an outer edge. Cut along the dotted line. Repeat. (Note that the plastic liner is not folded. It is cut in two pieces to stiffen the front and back of the case.)

6. Right sides facing, pin the upholstery cover fabric to the soft lining fabric. Sew a ¼-inch hem around the perimeter leaving a 2-inch opening on the bottom of the back of the eyeglass case.

7.Turn the case right side out. Take one of the plastic pieces and gently fold it over so you can slip it through the opening. Slide it into position to stiffen the front of the eyeglass case. In the same fashion, slip the second plastic piece in and position at the back of the case.

8. Fold in the hems of the 2-inch opening and blind-hem stitch the opening closed by hand.

9. Fold the divider fabric in half, right sides facing. Sew a ¼-inch hem leaving a small opening for turning at the bottom. Turn and press. No need to close the turning hole. That will be done "automatically" in the next step.

10. Fold the eyeglass case into shape and position the divider piece in the middle. Blind-hem stitch starting at the fold, go across the bottom and up the side to the top of the divider piece. Use a thread to match the lining and divider pieces and only stitch through these (not the patterned upholstery piece).

Notice that these layers create almost a corduroy look to the side. Also notice that the divided piece is only sewn in on the folded edge. This allows it to move freely to accommodate almost any size or shape of glasses.

Finally, insert the folded glasses back to back (as shown in the top view photo above) so that the earpieces of one pair nest beside those of the other. This is the most efficient use of the available space.

For more sewing tips, techniques and patterns, visit our Sewing Index page.