Make a Padded Carry Case for Reusable Glass Straws

Aug 25

Aug 25 Make a Padded Carry Case for Reusable Glass Straws

Easy beginner project, Free Sewing Pattern, Free Tutorial

In this post, I'll show you how to make a padded carry case with dividers to hold reusable glass straws. Everyone has been trying to get away from un-recyclable, disposable plastics lately, and glass straws are an eco-friendly solution to using plastic straws. I wanted to make sure that my glass straws were well-protected when carrying them in my purse, so I made this cute case out of a couple of fat quarters and some fusible foam.

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Why Glass Straws?

Plastic straws have become quite a bandwagon issue lately, with companies switching to alternatives, such as paper and other biodegradable, sustainable, or compostable alternatives. Some people think we've gone too far with the straw mania, and while it's true that straws are not the primary source of plastic waste in landfills or in the ocean, I still think that it's good to reduce disposable plastic use anywhere you can. This should be about making ecologically-friendly choices in general, not just reducing straw usage.

Make a Padded Case for Reusable Glass Straws

I got these Hummingbird glass straws, which also come with a little cleaning brush. They're made in the USA, too! I bought the straight glass straws, but you can also get bent glass straws. I prefer reusable glass straws over metal ones because I've heard that the metal straws can leave a metallic taste in your mouth, and I have some metal allergies.

I made a padded case for these to protect them, but the Amazon listing notes that these resist breaking. The listing says, "Remember those nearly indestructible Pyrex bowls and plates your mother and grandmother had? These are made of the exact same stuff! Naturally clear, this borosilicate glass is shatter-resistant, making it both durable and safe to drink from."

Still, I didn't want them rattling around at the bottom of my purse, and I'll take any excuse to sew. It took me a while to finish this project, though, because it's been so hot this summer. I couldn't bring myself to break out the iron!

Materials Needed for the Padded Case

2 fat quarters: I got mine from Joann Fabrics, but these would also look nice for this project.
1/4 yard one-sided, lightweight fusible interfacing. You can get a package of it here.
1/2 yard one-sided, 1/4" fusible foam interfacing: you can get a whole roll here.
Fabric pencil: I like this one by Fons and Porter with the dark lead.
Clear ruler: I used the smallest one from this set.
Point turner for poking out corners.

Pieces Needed for the Padded Case

The straws are 9" tall, and I made my case large enough to completely cover the straws. You have to push up from the bottom to remove them, but they're entirely encased in a padded cocoon.

Here's what I used:

1 piece of outer fabric: 21" x 4 1/2"
1 piece of lining fabric: 21" x 4 1/2"
2 pieces for the flap: 3" x 4 1/2"
1 piece of interfacing for the flap: 2 1/2" x 4"
1 piece of fusible foam: 20 1/2" x 4"
1 two-holed button

Putting it All Together

Following the instructions on your fusible interfacing, adhere it to one of the flaps, leaving 1/4" on all sides.

Right sides together, sew one of the flaps onto the outer fabric with a 1/4" seam. Do the same for the second flap and the lining fabric. Press the seams toward the flap.

Following the instructions on your fusible foam, adhere it to the lining fabric, leaving a 1/4" on all sides. Make sure you get foam that only fuses on one side, otherwise it will stick to your iron while you're doing this step.

Place the lining fabric on top of the outer fabric, right sides together. Sew all the way around this long rectangle with a scant 1/4" seam, leaving an opening of about 1 1/2" at the top so you can turn it right side out.

Turn it right side out. Use a point turner for poking out corners to make them nice and crisp.

Iron it to flatten everything out. Fold in the fabric at the top so that it's even with the rest of the case.

Fold up the case so that the lining and outer fabric are doubled. Make sure the flap can move freely. Top stitch 1/8" from the edge. Go up from the bottom, across the top (closing the open flap), and down the other side. (Don't add the button yet--it's just resting on the case in my picture.)

Your case should be about 4" wide now. The foam will cause a small amount of shrinkage in terms of width. Make markings at 1" intervals across the width of the case. Make sure there are enough markings that you can follow them while sewing.

Sew up the length of the case along the lines you made. Don't sew into the top flap; only sew on the lining and outer fabrics.

Use the buttonhole attachment for your sewing machine to add a button hole 2" in from the side of the flap and approximately 1/4" in from the edge. You can adjust this placement if you want.

Hand-sew a two-holed button along the middle divider line, making sure that your stitches follow the line of stitching that is already there. Don't sew into the compartments for the straws.

Add your straws and you're ready to go!