DIY EMBROIDERED iPHONE CASE + free template

If you are anything like me, generally a little clumsy although not altogether one big klutz, your phone hits the floor more often than you’d prefer.

                                              

I remember when I first got my iphone... So much more slippery than my previous phones. Smaller too. Definitely thinner.

So really, it came as no surprise that the little device kept gliding off of my hands and down into the unknown. Pavement, sand,gravel. You just never know until it is already lying there, all vulnerable and scared. And the fear quickly creeps over you as well. Like a big fluffy orange monster creeping up behind you.

Well, actually, it is more like the big fluffy orange monster is sticking one hundred tiny needles into your back; the shock rolls over you, you give out a short but clearly audible yelp. In some cases it is more of a scream. Not yet quite recovered, you bend over to pick the poor thing up – the piece of technology that is upholding your communication to the outside world – to find that nothing has happened. Your pone is completely fine, maybe a small bruise here and there. But nothing major.

Your phone’s cover however, the very thing that saved it from living a life with a flickering screen, had to take the hit. The first few plunges, a few scrapes might be all that reminds of the dangerous venture. But at some point, the poor thing just doesn’t get up anymore; it just lies there, in fifteen pieces.

Always a sad day.

I’m not sure why this happens, to be honest.

I like to believe that my hand is just not a fan of the radio-active waves pulsing through its finger tips.

Or my hand is simply too weak to carry my entire digital life around with it… Haven’t been doing my hand gymnastics lately… like, ever.

Or my phone just really wants to learn to sky dive, which seems to be the most sensible explanation. Naturally.

My first phone case, which my brother got me, was my all-time fave. It was a beautiful wooden case. Although all the more sensitive to my phone’s diving exercises it lasted almost precisely one year, which is not too bad.

All other cases, which I rarely buy anyhow, I choose based on their looks, not durability. And my most recent – a cute one from CathKidston with little birds prancing around it – isn’t looking too good anymore…

I have the slight feeling that the plastic, rubbery phone cases are what clumsy people – or those people who have phones with suicidal ideation – should opt for. But they are just not as pretty!

But when I learnt that you could embroider these ones, I knew this is what I was going to do for the summer!

I found the blanc, dotted case at the craft store (which was a surprise), picked up some embroidery thread and head on off to the nearest café where I spent my Saturday afternoon stitching away…

I did draw out my design on a piece of paper prior to getting out the sewing needle. It turns out, however, that I didn’t stick to the template entirely. Partially because I had some better ideas along the way. But mainly because I did make one, two minor errors which forced me to adjust. 

I created a new, updated template which you can find at the bottom of this page. I have an iPhone 4, but the template can easily be adapted, expanded and fit to any other phone case size!

I used a simple cross stitch for the entire case, always stitching with two strand of embroidery thread; I started with one color, adding one at a time. Lastly, I filled in the remaining squares with the light blue thread. Knot the thread tightly in the back. Optionally, add a blob of glue for extra security.

I also opted to add two cute little tassels made from the same thread.

My phone now goes very nicely with my DIY embroidered summer canvas shoes!

What do you think, is my phone summer-ready? What colors is your phone going for in the hot days to come?

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

- phone case, dotted

- embroidery thread, five colors

- big sewing needle

- scissors

- template (below)

- glue (optional)