The good part about cleaning your apartment is finding random things that you could upcycle. The bad part is that these things only add to your growing pile of must upcycle.
Such is the case of these old jeans. They were just sitting in my stash box until last weekend when I suddenly had an epiphany. A phone case it’s going to be!
My very cheap case has seen better days but I refuse to buy a sturdy one from Samsung or any fancy one from any fancy store. Phone cases in Prague are so ridiculously expensive. Lucky me Lillian gave me a pink one for my birthday, but if you’re around preschoolers it’s advisable to have your gadgets fully armored. A case in a case is how it is.
I can probably make at least 5 more phone cases from this pair of jeans, or even a purse! Ah focus, focus.
I just traced my old case near the hem, adding half a centimeter to the dimension before cutting. I also traced the loop. I have no tool for snap buttons but I figured I can just use any normal button I can find.
Because the fabric isn’t sturdy for a case, I had to to use fusible fleece to pad and stabilize it. See next photo below.
Now the two pieces are more stable. There’s no need to use interfacing for the loop pieces though. Note to self: Always have fusible fleece/interfacing in your stash. They often come in handy.
Next step is to run a zigzag stitch on top to prevent the pieces from fraying. I used two different thread colors for fun.
Sides and bottom were sewn with a half centimeter seam allowance.
Time to flip the case inside out with my ever favorite tool for this job; a chopstick! Et viola the phone case is ready, that is if you don’t want any loop to button/snap it shut. But if you do, sew the loop like in the photo above and also flip it using a chopstick.
Sew the open bottom of the loop to the top edge of the back case.
Sew a buttonhole to the loop. This was my first time ever to sew one and it was a bit of a nightmare. I don’t know if it was me or my buttonhole foot but I couldn’t get the right size of the hole. In the end I sewed it using the usual zigzag foot but adjusting the pattern selector for buttonholes. I also hand sewn the button because I had no more patience left for errors.
Woooh, it’s done!
Now what would I do next from those jeans? Another phone case? A purse or another cosmetics bag? Ah, the choices are endless…
Marielle Does 
My hat! so beautiful and great idea! In Finland we reuse empty coffee bags and make from them shopping bags. My wife shows you:
How to make bags from empty coffee bags
Have a wonderful day!
Lovely! I’ll remember that before I throw out an old pair of jeans!
Yes, so many things you can do about them and these crafts are so easy. 🙂
Love what you did with your old jeans! I have the same problem with items in my upcycle pile- so many options with what to do! Is that rainbow thread you used? Such a cute little detail! Also, great buttonhole for your first one! I have problems using my buttonhole foot too- zip zag stitch is much easier!
Thanks, Trish! I take that as a great compliment coming from an awesome designer like you! 🙂 Yes, that’s a rainbow thread paired with a pink one in the bobbin. I think I will just really stick to zigzag stitch for buttons. Saves me time and energy!
Great post! I’m now a follower.
❤
Emory
helloscarlettblog.com
Thank you! You have great posts as well. Following you now too. 🙂
Those are really cute! I would love to see that as a cosmetics bag. And thanks for giving the idea!
You’re welcome Abi and thanks! Yes, thinking of cosmetics bag, too. Maybe I can make it for a friend. 🙂
Cool case. Denim is a good idea
Thank you!
This is really nice idea . love it. Thanks for sharing. Have nice weekend .
Thanks and have a nice weekend, too!