DIY Glasses Case | Free Sewing Pattern

Carry your glasses in style by sewing your own DIY glasses case with this free downloadable sewing pattern and step-by-step tutorial.

Without a travel case to protect your sunglasses or eyeglasses, they can easily become scratched or smudged. That's no fun!

With this easy-to-follow sewing tutorial and free pattern, you can sew your own carrying pouch for your glasses.

The best part? You get to choose the fabric, making your new glasses case as fun and unique as you are!

Table of Contents

Why Make Your Own DIY Glasses Case?

A good glasses case always comes in handy. You'll probably want one in every space you frequent - think your home, work, and car - so you're never without one!

But why make your own? There are quite a few reasons!

You can choose your favorite fabric, so your new glasses case will fit your unique style.
It's cheaper! This DIY glasses case requires very little fabric and other materials to sew, making it a very inexpensive project to take on.
It's easy (and fun!) to sew. If you're a beginner sewer or just someone looking for a simple, quick-win project - this is a great pattern for you!
They're fast to make. Sewing this glasses case will take you an hour or less, especially once you get the hang of it. And once you've made all the glasses cases you need, you can make some as gifts for friends!

About the DIY Glasses Case Sewing Pattern

This free glasses case sewing pattern creates a versatile 6.5 x 4.5 inch pouch - a great fit for almost any size of eyeglasses or sunglasses.

The pouch is fully lined and padded with a layer of fusible fleece. This extra padding helps to protect your glasses in case the pouch gets dropped or hit against something.

The glasses case has a flap along the upper edge that secures with a snap to easily open and close the pouch.

It also includes a topstitching detail around the upper portion of the pouch. This gives it a professional, well-made look.

Best Fabric For a Glasses Case

When choosing fabric for your glasses case, the most important thing is to choose a light to medium weight fabric that won't scratch your glasses.

Go with a fabric that is smooth or soft, rather than one that is rough. A great, basic fabric option is quilting cotton. It has a smooth finish, is easy to sew, and comes in a lot of great colors and prints.

If you want to be a little more adventurous with your glasses case, you might try a specialty fabric such as silk, faux fur, or velvet. Just keep in mind that these fabrics are more challenging to work with than quilting cotton.

For padding your glasses case you can use fusible fleece or flex foam. Fusible fleece is easier to work with, but is a bit thinner than flex foam. If you prefer a very structured, thickly padded look, go for the flex foam!

Supplies to Sew a DIY Glasses Case

Here are the supplies you'll need to have on hand to make your DIY glasses case.

Download the FREE Glasses Case Sewing Pattern Here

Step 1: Download and Cut Out the Pattern

First, download the free glasses case sewing pattern to your computer. Open it in your PDF reader - I recommend Adobe Acrobat.

It's important to avoid printing the pattern directly from the browser because it can cause issues with the scaling.

Next, click on "Print". This will open the print settings dialog box. In this box, set the scaling to "Actual Size" or "Custom Scaling: 100%".

Then, print the first page of the sewing pattern. This page has a 1" x 1" test square. Measure the test square to ensure that it is the correct size.

measure the test square on the first page of the pattern

If the test square measures 1" x 1", you can print the rest of the pages of the pattern. However, if it does not measure the right size, you will need to double-check your print settings and reprint.

Once printed, cut out each of the 4 pattern pieces. You should have these pieces: Front (Main/Lining), Front (Fusible Fleece), Back (Main/Lining), and Back (Fusible Fleece).

Step 2: Cut Out Fabric & Transfer Markings

With the pattern pieces prepared, use them to cut out your fabric pieces. Cut the following number of pieces from your fabric, lining, and fusible fleece.

Fabric (Outer)

Front: Cut 1
Back: Cut 1

Fabric (Lining)

Front: Cut 1
Back: Cut 1

Fusible Fleece

Front (Labeled Fusible Fleece): Cut 1
Back (Labeled Fusible Fleece): Cut 1

Once the pieces of your glasses case are cut, you'll need to transfer the pattern markings to the fabric.

Transfer the snap placement mark from the Front pattern piece to the right side of the outer fabric front piece.

Next, transfer the snap placement mark from the Back pattern piece to the right side of the lining fabric back piece.

Step 3: Apply Fusible Fleece

The final step to prepare the fabric pieces for sewing is to apply the fusible fleece.

Center the 2 fusible fleece pieces on the wrong side of the 2 main fabric pieces. Make sure that the rough side of the fleece with the adhesive is placed down against the fabric.

Next, follow the manufacturer's instructions to fuse your fleece to the fabric pieces.

applying fusible fleece with a damp cloth and iron

Finally, cut a 0.5 inch square of fusible fleece and place it on the wrong side of the lining front piece directly over the snap placement mark. Fuse this square in place to add extra stability for the snap.

apply fusible fleece behind the snap on the lining

Step 4: Place the Snap

Next, grab your outer fabric front piece and place it right sides up on your table.

Attach one side of your snap over the snap placement mark. If you're using sew-on snaps, stitch it on with a hand sewing needle and thread. If you're using press-on snaps, use the tool that came with your snaps to apply it to the fabric.

place the snap on the front main fabric piece

Then apply the other half of your snap to the right side of the lining back, placing it over the snap placement mark.

Step 5: Assemble the Body of the Glasses Case

With the snap applied, it's time to start sewing!

Start by placing the outer fabric front and outer fabric back with right sides together. Line them up along the bottom and side edges and pin them together.

pin the front and back main fabric pieces together

Stitch the outer fabric pieces together along the sides and bottom edges with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

Trim the seam allowance down to about 1/8 inch around the corners. This will help to avoid puckering in the corners when the pouch is turned right sides out.

trim the curved seam allowances to reduce bulk

Next, turn the main fabric pouch right sides out and press it flat.

Repeat this process to stitch the lining front to the lining back with right sides together. In the lining pouch, leave a 2.5 inch opening in the bottom edge to turn it right sides out through later. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end, as well as on either side of the opening.

Again, trim the seam allowance down around the corners of the lining pouch. Leave the lining wrong sides out for now.

stitch the lining front and back together

Step 6: Attach the Lining to the Main Fabric

You should now have 2 separate pouches - one from the outer fabric and one from the lining.

Place the outer fabric pouch inside the lining pouch so that they are right sides together.

place the outer fabric glasses case inside the lining

Line them up around the top edge and the flap. Make sure that the side seams are lined up, pushing the seam allowances towards the front. Pin these edges together.

pin the outer fabric to the lining right sides together

Then, take the pouch to your sewing machine and stitch the lining to the outer fabric across the top edge and around the flap with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. I find it easiest to stitch from the outer fabric side during this step and slowly rotate the pouch as I sew.

Once stitched, clip into the corners at either side where the flap meets the front. This will help the flap to move more freely and avoid puckering. Be careful not to clip into your stitching!

Next, trim the seam allowance down to 1/8 inch around the curve of the flap.

trim the curved upper flap seam allowance down

Step 7: Turn and Topstitch

With the lining and outer fabric stitched together, turn the pouch right sides out through the opening in the bottom of the lining.

Once turned, close up the opening in the lining with a ladder stitch. Check out this tutorial for detailed instructions on how to sew a ladder stitch.

sewing a ladder stitch to close the opening in the lining

Push the lining to the inside of the glasses case and press the pouch well. As you're pressing, focus on making sure the seam is right at the edge or slightly rolled to the lining side. This helps ensure that the lining doesn't show through on the right side.

Finally, topstitch 1/8 inch from the edge across the top of the front and around the flap.

topstitch the top edge of the glasses case

Your fun new glasses case is finished!

Did you try this pattern out? Post a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #sweetredpoppy - I would love to see how it turned out!

Looking for more awesome free sewing patterns and tutorials? Try one of the patterns below!

Don't forget to join my Facebook group where you can show us what you're making, ask questions, and learn from others.

Don't forget about this free sewing pattern! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest sewing board by clicking HERE.