Snap the cutest shots with this DIY camera case

There’s no denying that smartphones have changed the photography world. After all, they’re basically extra high-tech cameras that fit in your pocket! But even as my iPhone fills up with snapshots, I find I still have a soft spot for traditional cameras both film and digital. So, this week I decided to make a cute new case for my trusty digital camera, complete with a heart appliqué and a pretty floral button to dress it up a bit. And if a camera isn’t your thing, you can follow these steps to make a case for your phone, tablet or other small device.

A note: as written, these dimensions should fit a small digital camera measuring approximately 3 1/2 inches by 1/2 inch by 2 inches. You may need to adjust for your own gadget.

Materials:

  • Two colors of felt
  • Thread in corresponding colors to the felt
  • Basic sewing needle
  • Scissors
  • Straight pins
  • Small button
  • Ballpoint pen
  • Ruler

Craft away:

Draw two rectangles onto the wrong side of the felt (the color you want to make the main case from). Make one 6 inches long by 3 inches wide, and one 4 inches long by 3 inches wide. Cut out both rectangles.

Fold the other piece of felt in half. Draw a 1/2 inch wide half-heart onto the felt, with the center touching the fold. Cut out the heart.

Pin the heart to the right side of the larger rectangle, positioning it 2 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the felt.

Cut a few feet of the thread that matches the heart and fold it in half, then thread the needle and tie a knot. Using looping stitches, sew the heart to the felt.

Pin the two rectangular pieces of felt together with right sides touching. Align the short ends, leaving a longer flap at the top.

Cut a few feet of the thread that matches the felt and fold it in half, then thread the needle and tie a knot. Using looping stitches, sew the two pieces of felt together. Keep your stitches close to the edge of the felt.

Flip the pouch right side out and fold the flap over. Snip the corners off the flat to make an envelope shape (don’t worry about making this exact—just eyeball it).

Make a small mark where you want the buttonhole to be.

Sew the button firmly in place so that it aligns with the buttonhole, and carefully snip along the mark you made to create the buttonhole.

You’re finished! Slip your camera inside its cute new clothes.

Related reading: 

Sew Cute: Monogrammed Notebook

Sew Cute: Flower Crown

[Images from the author]

Filed Under