Handmade Leather Cell Phone Case

I saw a photo online, of a leather cover for a cell phone. I have lots of leather scraps
left over from upholstery jobs, so I thought I'd try making a few. My first patterns
didn't fit together properly, so I made a few adjustments, until the envelope fitted the
phone. The second, third and fourth tries worked perfectly. The original pattern
used an awl to punch holes in the leather, then hand sew, so that the envelope looks
like it was stitched. I have an upholstery sewing machine, so I stitched the sides
by machine. I also added a liner for the inside of the envelope.

It's still a work in progress as far as the pattern goes. Try it!



What you need:
piece of paper for pattern
a piece of leather about 6 inches wide by 15 inches long.
leather glue (I used Instant Vinyl  but you can also get E6000)
scissors
heat n' bond thermal fusion 6 x 15 inches
a piece of fabric for the inside 6 x 15 inches
iron
masking tape

How to make it:
1. Draw your pattern on news print, or a large piece of white paper & cut out.
2. Stitch the edges of the leather all the way around, about 1/4 of an inch in.
    If you don't have a heavy duty sewing machine, you can either punch out
    holes with an awl or ice pick, and hand stitch.
3.Trace around the pattern, onto the backside of a piece of leather & cut out.
4. Press Heat n Bond onto the wrong side of your fabric
5. Trace the envelope pattern onto the front side of your fabric, and cut out.
6. Trim the edges of the fabric about 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch.
7. Place the fabric next to the back side of the leather envelope. Trim where needed,
    then peel the paper backing off, and press onto the wrong side of the leather.
8. Let cool.
9. Fold the bottom flap up, then fold the two sides in, and glue the edges
    of the two sides, onto the bottom flap. Hold in place with your fingers,
    and/or wrap with masking tape for 30 minutes to hold in place while glue dries.

Not only is this an easy craft. It makes a great gift!

Pattern is traced onto wrong side of leather. Copyright c. 2013 Fuego Phoenix.

Stitching added around edges. Copyright c. 2013 Fuego Phoenix.

Fabric is pressed to wrong side of leather. Copyright c. 2013 Fuego Phoenix.

 

Taped while glue dries. Copyright c. 2013. Fuego Phoenix

For fun craft project ideas check out Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104