Sew a Cell Phone Case

By Debbie Colgrove

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Gather Your Materials

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An assortment of finished cell phone cases - Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Cell Phone Cases. Photo Credit: Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Sewing your own cell phone case allows you to have strength and security that you know you can count on to protect your cell phone. Make your cases out of fabric to match a purse or outfit, to express individualism, or embroider plain fabric for an even more personalized touch. This case was designed for Verizon LG VX4500 a basic flip style phone.

Materials:

22" by approximately 8" scrap of fabric

Fusible web - approximate 11" by 8"
Piping to compliment your fabric choice
Double fold bias tape to compliment your fabric choice.
6" of 3/4" to 1" wide polyester or nylon gross grain ribbon, or webbing. (You want a form of ribbon that is strong and that you can melt the ends of to prevent it from raveling.)
Strong reliable snaps (I used SnapSetter™ Tool and snaps from The Snap Source, Inc. This tool is the most reliable I have ever found for fail-proof installation of snaps! The snaps have long prongs which allowed for a very strong secure hold and they offer a huge variety of decorative options. I used size 16 and I'm very pleased with the secure hold.)
Hook & Loop Tape -- 1 1/2" of 3/4"-1" wide (Note: The wider the hook & loop tape, the stronger your closure will be.)
Print out of the pattern

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Extend the Pattern Printout

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Photo of pattern being extended as described on the free pattern - Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Extend the Pattern Printout. Photo Credit: Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

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Fuse & Cut the Fabric

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Photo of pattern cutting layout - Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Fuse & Cut the Fabric. Photo Credit: Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Fold the fabric in half with the wrong sides together. Sandwich the fusible web between the fabrics, placing the web all the way to the fold.
Fuse the layers together following the directions provided with the fusible web you are using.
Place straight edges of the pattern pieces on the folded edge. (Note: It is not necessary for the edges to be on the fold of the fabric but it does help when you are attaching the bias to have edges that are not fraying.)

Cut one of the main pattern piece and two side pieces.

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The Back Strap

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The Back Strap. Photo Credit: Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Using a lighter or flame, carefully melt the ends of the webbing or gross grain ribbon to prevent the ends from fraying.
Using a lighter or flame, carefully melt the ends of the webbing or gross grain ribbon to prevent the ends from fraying.
Fold the webbing or gross grain ribbon in thirds.
Attach your snaps to the strip.
Place the center third, 5 1/4" up from the bottom straight edge of the fabric. Stitch a rectangle around the center third of the webbing or gross grain ribbon.

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Attach the Hook & Loop Tape and the Piping

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Photo of Hook & loop tape and Piping attached - Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Hook & Loop Tape and the Piping. Photo Credit: Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Attach hook & loop tape. Place the hook section across the flap edge on the opposite side from the webbing. Trim to fit the rounded area and sew on the outer edges.
Place the loop section in the center of the body at the straight edge, on the same side as the webbing.
On the same side that you attached the ribbon, apply piping to the long straight edges on the body fabric. Use a 1/4" seam. (You may have to trim the seam allowance on the piping to achieve a 1/4" seam) More on Applying Piping

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Attaching the Case Sides

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Attaching the Case Sides. Photo Credit: Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

Starting at a straight edge of the main body piece. Place a side piece under a piping edge.
Stitch on the piping attachment stitching line. As you approach the curve of the side piece, stop and snip the seam allowance of the body piece.
Continue attaching the side to the body until you reach the end of the side piece.
Repeat for the second side.
Note: It may be necessary to trim the top edge of the flap to meet the side piece if you haven't stayed perfectly on the allowed seam allowance. This does not affect the way the case fits but DO trim to create a smooth edge for attaching the bias tape.