Sweet Stitching with Erin: Cross-Stitch iPhone Cases

I freely admit to being one of those people who standson 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 that has a slightly crisper finish than the DMC. 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!

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! 

For instructions on how to make your iPhone cases just like mine, click here! Thanks! - Erin

Comments

[christina]

this is SWEEEEET!

[Clement]

I like the stripes one, it is really pretty!

[crocs]

Thanks for the idea,Love it.I want also to have my personalize case for my i phone.Good thing that you share also the procedure and all the materials that we will need in order to have a easy do it your own project.

[Katie Preston]

Ordering this case from you, and I don't even have an iPhone (yet)!

[Chrystal]

This is awesome. ALMOST makes me wish I had gotten an iPhone 4 instead of my Samsung Infuse 4G. ALMOST. :)

If I had this case, it would be dingy within weeks. :( But I guess the good part of having two! :) I love it. Beautiful.

[elizabeth]

Oh. My. Word. So cute. I may have to take another look at cross stitch!

[Kunni Biener]

but does it really fit your phone? I bought one from Japan, but it was too small and kept popping off, adding thread would have only made it worse.......

[purl bee]

Hi Kunni-

These really do fit the iPhone 4, promise! We all tried them on our phones and they fit perfectly. Thank you for your question!

- Molly

[Megan]

OOOOH!!! I wish they made one for Android phones, I would snap it up in a heartbeat!

[Kate Lasater]

Oh my gosh... How much fun! These are absolutely adorable.

www.fashaholicsanonymous.com

[Carey @ Little Cherry Blossoms]

Love this so much! Have to try.

[kelly@tearinguphouses]

this is SUCH a great idea. love.

[Patty]

To the manufacturers of this kit - Please oh please oh please make one for Android!

[Loretta]

Both of your design choices are beautiful! What a fun way to accessorize your iPhone :)

[Playmobil]

Neon colors really looks cool. I love it's colors. It looks so cool in the eyes.

[emilykflynn]

do they make one for iphone 3g/3gs? too cute!

[Lexi]

I have wondered about the protection quality of these cases. From someone who dropped and shattered a 3GS I need protection for my 4

[purl bee]

Hi Lexi-

One of Purl Soho's employees, Gina, uses her stitched case and has been happy with the protection it provides. It wraps around the edge of the screen which it the most sensitive part of the iPhone. She also notes that the case has a snugger, better fit once it's stitched.

Thanks for your thoughtful question!

[Gloryjean]

Just got a 4S for my birthday which is today!! My husband chose a great cover but this one will be so "me"! Great product and ideas, as always! Thanks!

[summer]

do they have these cases for the iphone 3?? and if yes how can i get onee?

[purl bee]

Hi Summer-

Unfortunately they don't make these cases for the iPhone 3. Sorry!

Thanks for your question!

Molly

[Di]

Hi, do you sell those that are completed? If yes, how much would it cost? Thanks, these are really beautiful stuff!

[purl bee]

Hi D-

We don't sell them completed but cross stitch is pretty easy to learn so you could probably manage this as a first project.

Thanks for your comment!

Molly

[Kat]

Is the case hard plastic or soft and rubbery? Is it grippy? I drop my phone all the time and need shock protection! I am about to buy this and ship it to Australia, but want to be sure it will work first! Love the idea!!!

[purl bee]

Hi Kat-

The case is not rubbery, it's more of a hard plastic. But it does fit the phone very snugly and does a good job protecting it.

Thanks for your question.

Molly

[Mark]

Hey, I love the pics of the white case, but the website says I can only select orange. Are there any white ones available?

[purl bee]

Hi Mark-

The white cases are currently out of stock, but they are on their way! If you'd like to be notified when we get them please email us at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com.

Thank you!

Molly