Quilted eyeglass cases are a fashionable and protective way to store eyeglasses. The benefit of using quilt material is that it creates a soft barrier that prevents scratching. You have the freedom to choose homemade quilts or pre-purchased fabric. Making your own eyeglass case is easy even without a sewing machine or pattern and takes just a little under an hour.
Preparation
Select a quilted material for the outside of the eyeglass case. If you choose a store-bought fabric, consider selecting one that has padding between the layers. The cushion will provide an extra protective barrier and support a small amount of weight from crushing the glasses if an object accidentally rests on top of the case. If you are using a homemade quilt that is comprised of a single layer, consider adding padding and a soft layer of material between the glasses and the outer quilt fabric. It’s important to ensure that the material closest to the glasses has soft fibers to hinder scratching the glass. Also consider using silk-based thread so that all materials for the case are delicate.
Sewing the Case
Lay the material flat with the color-rich side facing up. Place the eyeglasses on the material and fold the fabric over the glasses so you can visualize an appropriate case size. The part where the material is folded can be used as one of the sides of the case so that you only have to sew together two sides to create a pouch. Use straight pins to secure the fabric to itself on the three sides that do not have the fold. Secure the pins in a straight line approximately 1/2 inch from the glasses around the long side and one of the short sides. Attach the pins at least 1 inch from the glasses on the other short side where the case will open. Minimal space around the eyeglasses will prevent them from moving around too much inside the case.
Cut around the three sides that have the securing pins, with the glasses still inside. You should have a pouch that is closed around four sides. Remove the pins from one of the short sides of the rectangle-shaped pattern. Hand stitch or machine sew along the outer edge of the two sides with pins remaining. Add any padding or additional material over the quilt before stitching. Start sewing 1 inch away from the opening end and down until you reach the corner. Continue the stitch line along the bottom until you reach the fold. At this point, you should have sewed an “L” shape that created a pouch. Make a 1-inch slit down the fold where the case opens and fold down the front and back flap 1/2 inch and sew together. Turn the case inside-out so that the color-rich side is on the outside. Attach a Velcro or snap closure to each side of the flap to hold the eyeglasses in the case.