How to Make a Zippered Sunglasses Case

It is almost summer and we all will be wearing our sunglasses more.  I thought I would make a new sunglasses case with a zipper to keep mine secure.  This zippered sunglasses case project is a fun one but it is a very confident beginner or intermediate project.  The pattern is included so you will not have to draft it yourself but the zipper is a bit fidgity because it is sewn on a curve. If you take it slowly I have no doubt that you can do it.  The key to creating this project is taking your time as you are sewing.  This is another project that I got from Sewing Times on YouTube so I have included the video at the end of the post if you want to see it in action. 

I made this zippered sunglasses case to match a bag that I made for Sew Very Crafty that you can find here.  I purchased the fabrics for this project from JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores online and picked up in store. You could head to Fabric.com or Hobby Lobby to get yours if you like.  I used basic quilting cotton for the outer and lining pieces but used high loft fusible fleece for the interfacing.  The zipper in this project is actually a #5 zipper by the yard that I ordered from Zipper Shipper but you could use a standard #3 zipper if you like. This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  

****A tip about zipper sliders****

I love custom zipper sliders.  You can find zipper sliders at numerous places online.  Make sure that you specify the size of zipper that you are using when you purchase your sliders.  The sliders that I purchased for this project came from zipper Shipper but Etsy and other specialty shops carry wonderful sliders that you can substitute for a standard #3 or #5 zipper.  The zippers that you purchase at your local fabric store are typically #3 zippers but zippers by the yard can come in a variety of sizes.  I like the #5 zipper. It is a little bit wider than the #3 and is a bit easier to work with.  

What you will Need: How to Make a Zippered Sunglasses Case

• Pattern Piece that you can get by clicking this link
• 1/4 yd or remnant of outer and lining fabric
• 1/4 yd Pellon TP970F Fusible fleece
• 1 1/4″ D. Ring
• 1 16″ zipper that will be shortened

Step 1: Cut the Fabrics

From the outer, lining, and fleece, cut one piece from the pattern on the fold.  From the outer fabric cut a 1 5/8″ x 1 5/8″ square.  Trim the fleece all the way around by 3/8″ which will be the seam allowance for this project.  

Step 2: Create the D-Ring Tab

Take the 1 5/8″ x 1 5/8″ square and fold the raw edges to the center and press.  Fold in half to enclose the raw edges and press again.  Topstitch along both sides.  Fold the tab around the D-Ring and set aside.  

Step 3: Fuse the Fleece

Fuse the fleece to the outer fabric piece using a hot iron and following the manufacturers instructions.  

Step 4: add the D-Ring to the outer fabric

Fold the outer in half lengthwise to find the center. Clip the tab and D-Ring to the center of the outer fabric right sides together and matching the raw edges.  Zig Zag stitch the tab to the outer fabric to secure.  

Step 5: add one side of the zipper

Pin one side of the zipper to the outer fabric right sides together starting at the top where the D-Ring tab is.  If you are using a standard #3 zipper that you have purchased from your local fabric store you will push the zipper slider to the center and clip off both ends of the zipper so that the zipper measures 15 3/4″ and there are no zipper stops at either end.  Place one end of the zipper just past the D-Ring tab and pin it all the way to the bottom opening the zipper as you go.  The zipper will cover the entire side of the piece and still be longer than the pattern piece.  This is correct.    

Step 5: add the other  side of the zipper

Mark the other side of the zipper so that it is even with the first side using a marker or chalk.  Place the other side of the zipper on the other side of the pattern piece starting at the bottom where you made the mark.  Pin all the way back up to the top until it crosses over the end of the first side.  Stitch the other side of the zipper.  

Step 6: add the lining

Fold the lining in half lengthwise to find the center.  Match the center of the lining with the center of the outer piece.  Place the lining right sides together with the outer and pin to the zipper.  Stitch the lining to the zipper.  

Step 7: finish the sunglasses case

Zip the zipper while still keeping the pieces right sides together.  Fold the bottom so the lining is right sides together and the outer piece is right sides together and the zipper is in the center.  Pin.  Stitch all the way across the bottom leaving an opening in the lining for turning.  Clip off the excess zipper.  Turn the case right sides out and press.  Top stitch along the zipper and you have finished your zippered sunglasses case.  

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