Sweet Stitching with Erin: Cross-Stitch iPhone Cases

I freely admit to being one of those people who stands on the street corner with my iPhone, checking emails, looking for the closest Chinese restaurant, and calling my mom... all at the same time. But as a crafter and general lover of all things homey and handmade, I’ve longed to somehow make this sleek plastic piece of technology fit into my aesthetic worldview a little better.

So, when the Leese Design Cross Stitch iPhone Case arrived at Purl Soho I could feel my crafty fingers just itching to give it a try. I couldn’t decide if I wanted a modern, punchy and fun design, like the iPhone's , or if I'd prefer an ironic twist, juxtaposing four year-old technology with centuries-old craft. So, I made two!  

The Bird in a Tree version of the iPhone case, features a pattern from Caroline Vincent’s Sampler Workbook: Motifs & Patterns, an expansive collection of cross-stitch themes from the 17th through 19th centuries. The historical Autumn Tree Pattern is a classic design with a fresh and modern edge. I worked this pattern in Sajou's Retors du Nord, a lovely collection of 4-ply embroidery floss. Sajou uses vintage reproduction thread cards to wind their floss, so it felt totally natural to use their beautiful Retors du Nord for this traditional pattern.

For the striped design, I turned to the classic 6-ply DMC embroidery floss. With hundreds of colors in the DMC spectrum, including fluorescents, narrowing them down to twelve was both a pleasure and a challenge. I loved experimenting with different size stripes, mixing and matching the order of the colors to create both subtle shifts and sharp contrasts. Freeform cross-stitch is rare, so it was fun to design a project where I could really indulge my creative whims!

Materials

Bird in a Tree

• Leese Design's iPhone 4 Cross Stitch Case
• Caroline Vincent’s Sampler Workbook: Motifs and Patterns, page 17. 
• All threads used in this version are Sajou Retors du Nord 4-ply embroidery floss
• Leaves: 2039, 2405, 2529
• Branches: 2227
• Bird: 2010
• Bird’s eye and legs: 2234

Stripes

• Leese Design's iPhone 4 Cross Stitch Case
• 1 pack of DMC Light Effects Floss (I used 3 of the 6 plies.)
• DMC embroidery floss: colors 307, 606, 648, 907, 956, 3761, 3843, blanc, and ecru. (Again, I used only 3 of the 6 plies)
• Sajou Retors du Nord 4-ply embroidery floss color 2234 

Pattern for Striped Version

• 1 row DMC 307
• 1 row LE E1010
• 2 rows DMC 606
• 1 row Sajou 2234
• 1 row DMC 606
• 1 row DMC 648
• 2 rows DMC 907
• 1 row LE E980
• 1 row DMC 307
• 1 row Sajou 2234
• 3 rows DMC 3843
• 1 row DMC blanc
• 1 row LE E1020
• 1 row DMC 956
• 1 row LE E1010
• 3 rows DMC 956
• 1 row DMC ecru
• 1 row LE E980
• 1 row DMC Blanc
• 1 row DMC 3843
• 2 rows DMC 606
• 1 row LE E1020
• 1 row DMC 907
• 2 rows DMC 307
• 1 row DMC 956
• 1 row DMC 3761

Cross-stitching the iPhone cases was such a fanciful project that I couldn’t help but smile and tell everyone at the shop all about it. Now for the difficult task of deciding which case to use first! 

Comments

[Gigi]

Oh come on! This is just too brilliant an idea!! There's no way I'm not making at least a few of these for my Christmas Gift list.

[Sarvi]

Unreal -- this is the PERFECT gift for my iPhone-addicted, needlepoint-expert father, who is otherwise impossible to find gifts for.

[Mairi]

I love these... it's almost enough to make me go buy an iphone 4!!!! Wish they'd made them for the 3... top idea... really cute! Great designs girls! :-)

[Vaire]

Is there any chance this case would come in black in the future? I'd love to match the colour of the phone!

[stacey]

No iPhone 3?

[purl bee]

Hi Stacey,

Unfortunately they don't make them for the iPhone 3.

Thank you for your question!

- Molly

[Cheryl]

Would you mind saying what count his case is? Is it plastic canvas?
I don't have an iPhone so it won't fit my phone, but I've been thinking about making a case of either canvas or plastic canvas.

[purl bee]

Hi Cheryl-

The case is an 18-count. We would suggest using an 18-count needlepoint canvas to create a case for another phone, most cross-stitch fabric simply isn't sturdy enough to take the wear and tear it would get in this application.

Thanks for the question!

[Jamie]

Is this case silicon or hard plastic? I am in love with it!

[purl bee]

Hi Jamie-

It's plastic. Thanks for your question.

- Molly

[Alaundra]

Oh my goodness!! How ingenius!! I don't have an iPhone. I have an HTC, but ironically enough, I bought a "Matrix" cover for my phone a couple of weeks ago that has an open grid on the back. I'm so glad this post came about. Off to the store to pick out floss now......

[Jule]

I love this, I would buy an I-phone just to be able to have one of those!

[Audrey]

Hi, after doing some searching, I see that Leese makes them in other colors as well: black, pink, green, blue... Any chance that PurlSoho will carry these as well?

Thank you!

[DY]

Ive bought the case and the fabric to make this project. How did you manage to squeeze the needle with the thread through each hole? Especially as you get into the second row, there just doesnt seem to be enough space for the needle and thread to go through. I cant seem to do it. Any tips?

[K&0]

This is so beautiful! Whow.

[Sue in Grapevine]

Are there any pictures of how much of the front of the phone it covers? I like a case that covers the bezel. Also, any problems w/hooking the USB cable up w/the case in place?
thanks!

[purl bee]

HI Sue-

It does cover the bezel, and we've had no problems using the ports with the case on. Thanks!

[Amy]

Does anyone sell these pre-made? I don't have time to be crafty right now but would love to buy one from someone who is :). Do they mostly just cover the back and sides of the phone? Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Amy-

We don't know of anyone who sells them pre-made but you might want to call our NYC store to see if they know anyone who could make one for you. Their phone number is 212-420-8796.

The case covers the back, sides, and the seam where the sides meet the front. It is very much like the standard rubber and plastic cases you can buy at the Apple store.

Thanks for your question!- Molly

[Tanesa]

I hate to repeat a question, but I just want to double check. Does the case have a screen protector? That is my biggest concern because if the screen gets scratched, the touch capabilities can be lost. Thank you!

[purl bee]

Hi Tanesa-

It doesn't have a screen protector. Most snap on iPhone cases don't. The screen protector is usually a sticker that sticks on to the front of the phone. Like most snap on iPhone cases this one does protect the edges and where the screen meets the sides. This helps to protect the screen if it's dropped.

Thanks for your question~

Molly

[Karen]

Do you think you can use a needlepoint continental stitch insteascod cross stitch or will it make the underside too think?

[E.K]

that is really cool, i just got an iPhone 4s so i want some cases to keep my iPhone in.

Do u know where they sell these cases??? Thanks

[purl bee]

Hi E.K.-

We sell these cases, as well as the materials for all of our projects, from our webstore, Purlsoho.com

The link to the cases can be found under the "Materials" section of this story or right here:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8333-Leese-Design-iPhone-4-Cross-Stitch-Case

Thank you for your question!
Molly

[Debbie]

Hey! Is that any shop in KL ? I would like to buy one! In love with it!

[meganleiann]

I love this! Do you know if you will be getting one for the iphone 5?

[Lauren]

I saw in the comments where it said it was made out of plastic, but is that the same as TPU?