Make This: Cell Phone Case Necklace Tutorial

This Cell Phone Case Necklace is very European and is fast becoming popular here.  It is especially handy when one isn’t wearing pockets and not carrying a regular purse.Supplies:  Choose the fabrics you want to use for the outside of the case and the lining.  Cut two pieces of each fabric and cotton batting about 2 inches larger than your phone in both directions.  This example used pieces about 4 1/2″ x 8″ for a fitted case, but measure your phone and be generous in this step since phones have varying thicknesses and it can be trimmed later.  Also needed is about 39″ of strap material (cording, thin ribbon, ric rac, bias tape, etc.) and any extra embellishments.  We used felt on the red one, and ribbon and a beaded embellishment on the multi-color one.

This case is going to be embellished with our favorite wool/rayon felt from Sunfelt.  Taking inspiration from the red Joel Dewberry fabric, we decided to cut out a traditional folk art style tulip from dark brown, red, pink and green.
To make sure your embellishment will be to the right scale, lay out your design and then lay your phone over the top of it.  If it is mostly covered by the phone, it will not be too large.Here is the complete design as it will look when it is all put together.  Its outline is about the same width as the phone and a bit shorter.
This is why we love felt for applique!  No fusing.  No turning under.  Just sew each layer in place with matching thread.  We used the machine blanket stitch on most of this layer.  Some of the red and pink were sewn with a straight stitch as well as the contrasting leaf veins.  Press the design on both sides.With the embellishment complete, the pieces are ready to be put together.  Layer the batting under the outside front and back pieces.
With right sides facing, layer the lining over the outside pieces.
Sew across the top of both the front and back.  The example is using a 3/4″ seam allowance to better center the embellishment, but a 1/2″ seam allowance is plenty.
Trim seams to about 1/4″. Press the seam toward the lining and sew a narrow top stitch across both pieces. Now it’s time to add the strap.  Choose a material to use for the strap and cut it to about 39″.  In the example we used a leather cord, but this can be any kind of cording, ric-rac, or bias tape.  Place both ends at the very top of the outside fabric and pin in place.
Lay the front and back pieces together with right sides facing, match the seam lines, and tuck the strap into the center.Sew all the way around with a 1/4″ seam, catching the strap ends, and leave a 2 1/2″ opening in the lining part.  Make sure your cell phone fits well within the perimeter stitching.  Trim seams and corners to 1/4″ of stitching line.  We did rounded corners to get the look we were after.
Using the 2 1/2″ opening, turn the entire case to the outside.Sew the opening in the lining closed. This could be done by hand and look really nice, or you could be lazy like us and zig-zag it on the machine.  It will be tucked away where it will never show.Push the lining down inside of the case.  Press.  Wear and enjoy.
The red case is more fitted and the black and multi-color one with the green embellishment is a little larger in case you need to put a few extra things inside (credit card, keys).  We hope you have fun making several styling cases to go with all of your styling outfits. -Diane & Audrey