Zakka cell phone case becomes “hands free”

Yesterday on QUILTsocial, we created a sweet and stylish cell phone case that ticks all the zakka style boxes. Made of natural cotton/linen fabric, and designed to tote around an essential piece of life, our pretty practical case goes hands-free today. I found two old fashioned stocking (garter) clips in my extensive vintage button collection. I decided to use them as a means of attaching the strap to the case. You can substitute small D-rings or craft rings.

You will need

• an assortment of fabric scraps (various lengths, but they must be 2″ wide)
• strip of batting, 1″ wide
• 505 reposition fabric adhesive
• applique sheet
• Gutermann quilting thread
• small wooden buttons

• Use a rotary cutter to cut the scraps evenly.
• Sew them together with a 1/4″ seam.
• Press the seams open.

• Fold the patchwork strap in half lengthwise and press to create a center crease.
• Open the strap, place it on the applique sheet and spray it lightly with 505 reposition fabric adhesive.
• Press the batting strip along the center crease. Lightly spray the batting.
• Fold the raw edges of the strap along the batting as in the photo.

• Fold the strap in half again, and use Clever Clips to anchor the resulting strap.
• Top stitch 1/8″ away from each edge.
• Remove the Clever Clips as you sew.

• Add a small wooden button to right side of the strap/clip combination, in the center of the strap.
• Hand stitch the clip to the side of the cell phone case, sinking the stitches as closely as possible into the side seam.

Now, slip your phone into its stylish new zakka case, pop in your headphones, and enjoy handmade, hands-free communication.

Come back tomorrow for our final lesson in zakka sewing. We’re going to wrap up the zakka week with some cute and practical ways to keep all those cords that tether us to technology tidy and organized. Until then, enjoy how your zakka cell phone case becomes “hands free” so you can sew and talk at the same time!