If you're looking for a stylish case for sunglasses or reading glasses, look no farther. In less than an hour, you can make a soft leather case from one of the many colored leathers available at craft stores. This project also can double as a coupon or receipt holder.
This is a basic case with a wrap closure, so if you want something a little more fancy, use a more decorative cord and shaped rivets. If you're artistic, stencil designs on the back of the case.
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Materials
- Pair of sunglasses
- Smooth leather the width of folded sunglasses plus 2 inches (about 10 to 12 inches long)
- White fabric pen
- Pen or fine-tip marker
- Leather punch
- 6 decorative rivets
- Soft-head hammer/mallet
- Thin leather cord
- Scissors
- Small piece of leather, 4 inches wide and 1-1/2 inches high
- Leather glue
- Pair of sunglasses
- Smooth leather the width of folded sunglasses plus 2 inches (about 10 to 12 inches long)
- White fabric pen
- Pen or fine-tip marker
- Leather punch
- 6 decorative rivets
- Soft-head hammer/mallet
- Thin leather cord
- Scissors
- Small piece of leather, 4 inches wide and 1-1/2 inches high
- Leather glue
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Choose the side you want to face out. Place it facedown vertically on the work surface.
2. Fold up the bottom one-third plus 1 inch.
3. Place three marks using the fabric pen along the right edge of the folded leather – one near the fold, one near the top edge and one between the two.
4. Open the leather and punch through the marks.
5. Refold the leather and repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the left side.
6. Refold the leather.
7. Insert the tip of the pen or marker into the six holes to mark the inside of the leather.
8. Open the leather and punch through the marks.
9. Refold the leather.
10. Insert the rivets one at a time from the back side of the case. Place the rivet over a hard surface.
11. Apply the rivet head and hit it with the hammer. Do this for each rivet.
12. Fold over the top piece of the leather. Mark and punch a hole in the center, 1 inch above the bottom edge of the top piece.
13. Feed the cord through the hole and tie a knot on the inside.
14. Wrap the cord at least three times around the case (top to bottom) and cut the cord.
15. Take the small piece of leather and set it down horizontally.
16. Measure 1/2 inch from the top and place a mark.
17. Draw lines from that 1/2 inch point to the bottom of the leather. Repeat this at 1/4-inch intervals until you have marked where all the fringe will be.
18. Cut along the lines.
19. Take the cut end of the cord and glue 1/2 inch of it vertically, 1/8 inch in from the right side of the uncut part of the leather.
20. Roll the leather once over the glue and press down.
21. Squiggle more glue along the uncut band, stopping 1/8 inch from the left side.
22. Turn the leather so the fringes are horizontal.
23. Tightly roll the leather away from you, as if you were rolling up a sleeping bag or poster.
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