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Sewing a glasses case with a free pattern

31.07.2026 by Katja Neuner

Brillenetui nähen mit kostenlosem Schnittmuster

Sew a glasses case: A simple project that even sewing beginners can easily complete with our detailed step-by-step instructions. Simply download the free pattern and get started right away! ✂️🕶️

The most important things at a glance:

  • You can easily sew this practical glasses case yourself
  • In this post, I will show you step-by-step how you can sew a glasses case
  • I’ll share many tips and tricks with you, as well as which materials are suitable
  • ✂️ Sewing level: easy
  • ⏰ Sewing time: 2 hours

To keep your glasses within reach and well protected at the same time, they need a place where they can be stored safely. And who says your glasses don't deserve a beautiful home too?

Let’s be honest: Why buy it when you can sew it yourself? This way, you can let your creativity run wild, have a lot of fun, and use up your fabric scraps at the same time. It’s a win-win-win!

Who is writing here?

Hey, I’m Katja. Ever since I got my first sewing machine in 2011, I have been completely hooked on DIY projects. I also love transforming textiles into favorite pieces and experimenting with color, thread, and imagination. For me, it’s not about perfection, but about the joy of crafting and the fun of turning your own ideas into reality.

It’s so lovely to be able to share my creativity at SewSimple. Perhaps you already know me from my blog WuselGewusel or from Instagram, where I share my tutorials, my knowledge, and all my creative adventures with you.

Why you definitely need a sewn glasses case

The sun is shining, you grab your swimwear, a towel, and all the bits and bobs you need for a relaxing day by the water. But wait! The sunglasses are missing. Quickly grabbed and tossed into your bag, between a book, sunscreen, and everything else that needs to come along. The next scratch is often inevitable.

When things have to be done quickly, it’s better to be prepared. So let’s take care of it beforehand and sew a chic glasses case. And if you have reading glasses too, all the better—go ahead and sew a few extra! After all, you can never have enough of these practical self-sewn glasses cases.

Video tutorial: Sew a glasses case

What fabrics can I use to sew a glasses case?

This is the perfect opportunity to take a look through your fabric stash, preferably for sturdy and non-stretchy fabrics.

Good options include:

  • Cotton fabrics
  • Denim
  • Canvas
  • Decorative fabrics
  • Linen
  • Rayon
  • Cotton blends

If you want to know more about working with cotton fabrics, read our post on sewing with cotton.

To ensure your glasses pouch doesn't collapse and your glasses are well protected on the go, you should definitely reinforce it with Decovil light. This gives it a nice structure and reliably cushions minor impacts.

What do I need to know as a beginner to sew a glasses case?

The glasses case is the ideal project to familiarize yourself with your sewing machine and the materials used. Sturdy, non-stretchy woven fabrics are particularly easy to work with, and the glasses case pattern consists of only two pieces.

Have you never worked with interfacing before? Then our glasses case, reinforced with Decovil, is an ideal introductory project. In our blog post about Vlieseline (interfacing), we explain everything you need to know about interfacing, from the different types to the correct application.

Don't worry, attaching magnetic snaps is also much easier than you might think.

What does my sewing machine need to be able to do to sew a glasses case?

You only need a sewing machine capable of a straight stitch. Nothing more is required for this project.

However, there is one point you should keep in mind: the glasses case is folded during the final seam. This creates thick layers of fabric in two places that can really challenge your sewing machine. To ensure it handles them smoothly, definitely read our blog post on sewing thick fabrics beforehand. There, you’ll find helpful tips on how to sew cleanly even over thick layers.

Where can I find the free sewing pattern?

You can download the pattern for the glasses case for free in our freebook section.

Distributing the pattern is prohibited, as is commercial use. If you wish to sell sewn items, you should download a SewSimple license beforehand.

Print the pattern at 100% without scaling to fit. The printer should be set to "Print document and all markups" so that the labels are also transferred to the pattern pieces.

A seam allowance of 1 cm is already included in the pattern.

How do I get the free pattern?

Would you like to sew a glasses case like this? Great! To access this and over 180 other exclusive freebooks and patterns, follow these steps:

  • Sign up for the SewSimple newsletter
  • Click on the link in the confirmation email: Yes, I want...
  • After receiving the SewSimple welcome email, you are officially a subscriber
  • Create a customer account with the same email address
  • Log in
  • Click the download link and get started
  • Please understand that I cannot send the pattern by email. Unfortunately, I cannot answer requests regarding this. It is all the more important that you follow the download instructions above correctly.
  • For questions about your customer account, be sure to take a look at our FAQs!

What you need to sew the glasses case

The list is manageable and the project is quick to complete. You will need the following materials:

  • Woven fabric
  • Decovil light
  • Magnetic snap
  • All-purpose thread, e.g., Seralon from Mettler
  • Basic sewing notions, e.g., corner and edge shaper
  • Possibly embellishments, a nice iron-on, pretty labels, or whatever else you like 😊

You can find a list of our favorite accessories on the SewSimple page on Handicraft.*

Conclusion: Sewing a glasses case

Well, if you don't feel like sewing a glasses case using our free sewing tutorial right now, I don't know what will 😉

It's really fun, and you can be proud of yourself at the same time because you’ve used up your fabric scraps along the way. And since they are so quick to sew and absolutely practical, they are also perfect as personalized gifts. This allows you to pass your joy of crafting directly on to your loved ones 👓💕

Happy simple sewing, Katja & Sabine

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

Sew a Glasses Case

Got all your materials ready? Great, then: let's go!

Print the sewing pattern at 100% without page scaling. The 1 cm seam allowance is already included in this pattern.

  1. Step

    Cutting

    You need the following pattern pieces:

    • 1 x glasses case from outer fabric
    • 1 x glasses case from inner fabric
    • 2 x interfacing
    Cutting
  2. Step

    Iron on the Decovil

    Iron the Decovil onto the wrong side of the inner and outer fabric according to the manufacturer's instructions.

    Iron on the Decovil
  3. Step

    Mark the magnetic snap position

    Mark the positions for the magnetic snap using the marking on the pattern.

    Mark the magnetic snap position
  4. Step

    Position of the magnetic snaps

    Attach the upper magnetic snap to the inner fabric and the lower snap to the
    outer fabric.

    This way the magnetic snaps aren't visible and the inside of the snap won't scratch your glasses either.

    Position of the magnetic snaps
  5. Step

    Washer as a template

    Place the washer of the magnetic snap on the marking and mark the slits with tailor's chalk or a disappearing marker.

    Washer as a template
  6. Step

    Cut the magnetic snap markings

    Carefully cut into the markings you just made with a sharp knife (scalpel, craft knife) or pointed scissors.

    Cut the magnetic snap markings
  7. Step

    Place the snap part

    The snap part sits on the right side of the inner fabric. Push the prongs through the slits.

    Place the snap part
  8. Step

    Place the washer

    Place the washer on top to secure it.

    Place the washer
  9. Step

    Attach the magnetic snap

    Bend the prongs over.

    Attach the magnetic snap
  10. Step

    Right side

    This is what it looks like from the right side.

    Right side
  11. Step

    Attach the counterpart

    Repeat everything with the other half of the magnetic snap.

    Attach the counterpart
  12. Step

    This is how it looks

    This is what the inner and outer pieces look like now.

    This is how it looks
  13. Step

    Mark the turning gap

    Mark a 12 cm turning gap
    on the bottom edge.

    Mark the turning gap
  14. Step

    Pin the inner and outer pieces

    Pin the inner and outer pieces together right sides together, with the edges aligned.

    Pin the inner and outer pieces
  15. Step

    Stitch

    Sew the pinned pattern pieces together with a straight stitch, stitch length 2.5 mm and 1 cm seam allowance.

    Stitch
  16. Step

    Sew the corner

    Leave the needle down in the corner and lift the presser foot.

    Sew the corner
  17. Step

    Turn the fabric

    Pivot the fabric and keep sewing.

    Turn the fabric
  18. Step

    Trim the seam allowance

    Trim the seam allowance all around by half. Leave out the turning gap.

    Trim the seam allowance
  19. Step

    Trim the corners

    Clip the corners to just short of the seam.

    Trim the corners
  20. Step

    Turn right side out

    Turn the glasses case right side out through the turning gap and carefully push out the edges and corners.

    Turn right side out
  21. Step

    Press

    Give it a good press.

    Press
  22. Step

    Pin the turning gap

    Fold the seam allowance of the turning gap 1 cm to the inside and pin it in place.

    Pin the turning gap
  23. Step

    Topstitch the long edge

    Edgestitch the long, straight edge with stitch length 3. This closes the turning gap at the same time.

    Topstitch the long edge
  24. Step

    Fold up the bottom half

    Fold the bottom half up at the marking and pin it in place.

    Fold up the bottom half
  25. Step

    Edgestitch

    Edgestitch all around with stitch length 3. Start at one of the bottom corners.

    Edgestitch
  26. Step

    Press the pleats

    Fold the sides into symmetrical pleats and press them carefully.

    Press the pleats
  27. Step

    Done!

    And your glasses case is finished. Yeah! ☻

    Done!

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About the author

Katja

Hey, I'm Katja from WuselGewusel. Ever since I got my first sewing machine in 2011, I've been completely hooked on making things myself.
I also love turning textiles into favourite pieces and experimenting with colour, thread and imagination.

For me it's not about perfection, but about the joy of crafting and the fun of making my own ideas come true.