5 Minute Shock-Resistant Camera Case for Under $5

This camera case takes only a few minutes to make, is completely customizable, and on average, should cost like $1 to make! This project uses simple materials you can pick up just about anywhere. So what are you waiting for?

You know that squishy stuff you can get to line drawers, or put under carpets to keep them from sliding?  Non-skid mat type stuff?  That's what this is made of.   I will henceforth refer to this material as "squishy stuff."  I also deem squishy stuff to be shock resistant, mostly based on the number of times I've dropped my camera in this case without any damage.  Just don't try it from the top of a water tower (you know who you are).You've been warned. 

* 1 sheet squishy stuff
* 1 piece velcro
* Needle and thread, or sewing machine
* A piece of paper
* Scissors
* Ruler (opt but handy)
* Pen or pencil (opt but handy)

The easiest way to make a template is to put your camera on a piece of paper, and fold the paper up around it, creasing along the edges.  When you uncrease the paper, you'll have your stitching lines.

The second picture shows me folding the paper up along the bottom of the camera.  You don't necessarily want it to go all the way to the top edge of the camera.  Think of an envelope - the extra open space at the top makes it easier to remove the contents.

Crease the edges too so you know how deep to make the case.

Fold the top down and crease where you want the edge of that to be.  (third picture)

Unfold, and mark where your creases were.  Notice in picture 4 how much space is on each side of the camera.  This will allow the fabric - pardon me - squishy stuff to bend around the edges of the camera without being too tight.

If you like, taper the edges of the top fold of the camera case to make it more envelope like.  Totally optional.  Use your paper template to cut the shape out of the squishy stuff.

Before you sew the sides shut, you want to make sure to add your closure.

Sticky velcro will not cut it, not for one second.  Well, it will for the first second, but after you open it once, you're done.

So cut a piece of sew-on velcro about 1" big.  Sew it to the outside of the bottom flap and the inside of the top flap.  If this is confusing, just fold the squishy stuff around your camera like it will be when it's finished.  You'll see where the velcro needs to go.  Or look at the picture.

If you're sewing by hand, go forth.  If you're sewing by machine, you'll need something to help the squishy stuff slide over the feed dogs.  The solution: paper! 

Get the scraps of paper from the pattern you cut out, and place one between the squishy stuff and the sewing machine.

Sew sew sew, and then gently tear the paper away from the case.

Again, if you're using a sewing machine, you'll want to cover the squishy stuff with paper.  This time we'll cover both sides, since I discovered presser feet don't like the squishy stuff any more than the feed dogs do.

So take a scrap of paper, and fold it over the edge you're going to sew.  Might as well get both of them ready to sew at the same time.

Sew sew sew, (remember to backstitch at each edge!) and carefully tear away paper.

Oh, hey! You're done!  That's it - no hard part at all.  Put your camera in your new case and hit the road.  Or, if you're feeling generous, make a bunch more for your friends. Make cases for your phone or mp3 player.  You've got all that squishy stuff left over, after all.  It makes a great, thoughtful (and inexpensive!) gift that your friends will love.  Just ask Randofo!