digital camera case – sewing project

yes, ladies & gents.. I have managed to drag myself into a project!!!  been a long time.. and it felt good to be in front of the sewing machine again.  though my skills are quite rusty!!  so.. please don’t judge the handiwork too harshly. :)

*** I combined two different tutorials, to make this case.  Please see final notes at the bottom.. BEFORE you begin measuring & cutting your fabric!!!!!!! ***

 

here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 fat quarters
• 14″ x 5″ piece of cotton batting
• Ruler
• Rotary blade and scissors
• 4″ piece of thin elastic
• 1 Button

Cut one 14″ x 5″ strip of each fabric & batting.

Lay the main fabric, wrong side down, on top of the batting and set it aside.

Now, find the center of the lining fabric by folding it in half on the 5″ side. That is where you’ll want to sew your elastic.

Fold your piece of elastic in half and place it with the loop on the fabric, and the ends of the elastic sticking off the edge. [You’ll need to adjust how big you want your loop depending on the size of your button]  Hold it in place or pin it and stitch it using 1/4″ seam allowance.

Next, stack the fabric as such: 

Batting on the bottom.. main fabric right side up.. & lining right side down.

Pin around the sides leaving a 2 1/2 inch gap in the middle of the 5″ side,  on the opposite end of where you sewed the elastic. [this is where you’ll pull the fabric through to turn it right side out]

Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, sew all the way around the outer edge.. leaving your 2 1/2″ gap open. [don’t forget to back stitch at the beginning and end!]

NOTE:  don’t forget to clip the ends of the elastic, so that it is even with your fabric!

Next, carefully cut the edge of the batting as close to the seam as possible without cutting your fabric, or the stitching. This will help get rid of some of the bulk when you’re top stitching later. Trimming your corners will also help with the bulk.

Slowly turn right side out. Be sure to grab something, to use as a turning tool.. to help with the corners. [I used a knitting needle]

Iron the edges of your case, being careful not to iron over the elastic. [it will melt!]

Fold the edges of the opening inward & pin in place, edges matching up.

Top stitch all the way across the 5″ side with the opening.. very close to the edge.

Face the case vertically, with the lining facing up, & the elastic loop at the top.

Starting from the bottom, measure 5″ and fold toward the elastic loop, at the five inch mark.

Match up your edges and pin in place.

Starting at the bottom right corner,  top stitch the right side, the top and the left side until you reach the bottom left corner.

DO NOT stitch over the bottom fold!

Next, place your camera inside the case and mark placement of the wrist strap, on the outside of closure flap.
Sew a buttonhole in this flap to pull the wrist strap through.

Now, fold your flap down and iron it in place. [remember, do not iron over the elastic!]

Wherever your loop falls..  that is where you’ll place & sew on your button.

VIOLA!  your  very own fun, personal, & stylish camera cozy is finished!

A couple of notes…

I forgot to sew along the entire side and top of the case.  as you can see, it isn’t crucial.. but probably would have looked better.  Next time, I will! 

Also, the step of trimming the batting down is very important.  my sewing foot on my machine, had a hard time sewing through the layers.. so I had to raise the foot and ended up w/ the crooked [UGLY] lines.

This case is too large for my new camera.  [Canon powershot elph100]   The one pictured in the case above, is my son’s Sony cybershot.. which is also a bit small for this measurement.  However, it does fit our older powershot A560 rather snugly. :)

I will be making another case soon!!  

I will take the measurement of my fabric down to: 4.25” x 15.25” to have a more compact case for my mini digital camera.

Please let me know if you make one of these cuties.. I’d so love to see how yours turns out!!!

xo -Tracie