{Make} A Bag Sew Along: Sunglasses Case Tutorial

Week Six of the {Make} A Bag Sew Along.

This week we’re making a sunglasses/glasses case. Today we’re going to make the simplest version of the pinwheel block. This is a fun little block. Let’s get started!

Here is the PDF version of this tutorial.

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Materials you’ll need this week from your supplies:

• your 5″ x 5″ squares
• lining fabric 1
• medium fusible interfacing
• one snap fastener

{Click on any image to see a larger version.}

Choose 4 of your 5″ x 5″ squares. Choose 2 light and 2 dark squares, or 2 pairs of squares which contrast.

Cut each of your squares in half on the diagonal, then again on the other diagonal, to make 4 triangles from each square.

Match each light triangle to a dark one (or match pairs of contrasting triangles). Sew them together along the long edge, with right sides facing. Press seams to the darker fabric.

Sew 2 pairs of squares together so that the seam lines between your triangles make a “V” shape and the darker fabric is predominantly on the right side of the square. You will end up with 4 rectangles. Press seams to the darker fabric.

The last step in making your pinwheel block is to sew pairs of the rectangles together. These need to be sewn along the edge which has the point of the “V” discussed in step 4. Lay one rectangle face up on the table, with the point of the “V” facing to the top. Lay another rectangle on top of it, face down, with the point of the “V” also facing to the top. You will need to sew along the top. Be careful to match the points of your “V”s up. I find the best way to ensure accuracy here is by pinning slightly to the far side (or the right side) of the middle seam, where the “V”s line up. This will prevent the alignment being pushed out of place by your machine as you sew over that middle seam.

You will end up with 2 pinwheel blocks. Press seams open.

Cut a rectangle from lining fabric 1 measuring 5.5″ x 5″.

Sew this piece between your pinwheel blocks, along the 5.5″ edge. Press the seams to the darker fabric.

Iron the medium fusible interfacing to the wrong side of your piece. You should just have enough for this. If you don’t have enough in one piece to cover it the whole thing, you can piece it together by ironing on smaller strips as you go.

Cut a rectangle from lining fabric 1, measuring 15.5″ x 5.5″.

Sew this rectangle to your pieced rectangle right sides together, leaving a gap about 2″ long on one side. Clip the corners.

Turn your piece right side out, pushing out the corners. Hand-sew the opening closed with a ladder stitch. (The ladder stitch was discussed in {Make} A Bag Part Two.) Press your piece.

Fold your piece in half with right (pieced) sides together. The folded edge should be the short edge. Sew along each long side about 1/2″ from the edge. If you have large sunglasses, you might want to make this seam smaller. Experiment.

Turn your case the right way out and push out the corners as best as you can. We won’t be trimming the corners before turning out as this will make raw edges inside your case.

Attach your snap fastener at the middle of the opening. You are done!

Now if you pop your case inside your bag, you will notice it fits inside one of the narrow pockets. Isn’t it nice when everything has a place?

Here’s what we’ve made so far in the sew along:

2 tutorials left to go in the sew along! There are lots of lovely creations so far in the {em ay kay ee.} Flickr pool. I have been visiting quite often to see the latest additions. Remember, you can also email your photos to me, along with anything you’d like to say about your work, and please include a blog link if you have one. I stick any photos which are emailed to me on my Corkboard, just like a proud mumma would.

Before I go I’d like to say a big heartfelt THANK YOU to those of you who commented on yesterday’s post or emailed me with your words of encouragement and kindness. As I read your comments I was smiling so much, and was in awe of how wonderful you beautiful people are. If I haven’t replied to you personally yet I apologise, I will be doing that soon.

As I made this last tutorial (which is quite a simple one with not too many steps) I actually took note of how long it took to prepare. It took me about 8 hours to sew up the case, take photos and notes as I did so, then put it all into the computer, edit it and publish it on my blog. I took only short breaks to eat, and pick up my kids from school. And I haven’t even prepared the PDF yet! All I can say is…Crikey! (And by the way, I was saying ‘crikey’ long before Steve Irwin made it his catch cry…just so you know!)

I hope you’re all feeling fantastic and are enjoying the little and wonderful things in your life…wherever you may be.

Happy Case Making!

Tagged as: Accessories, Pouches, Scrap Busters