A Homemade Cell Phone Case for Dad

How many dads actually wear ties anymore? Instead of giving dad a present he'll only use twice a year, steal one of his seldom-worn ties to make a cool iPod or cell phone case. Kids can help with pinning and sewing.

What You Need:

• Scissors
• Straight pins 
• Needle and thread
• Old tie
• Thin elastic
• Small button

What You Do:

1. Most ties are perfectly sized for reconstruction as a cell phone or iPod holder, but you'll want to grab dad's phone or iPod to get the size just right.
2. Carefully cut two rectangles from the tie to make the iPod case. It's fine to just cut the length and leave the width as-is (even though one rectangle will probably be slimmer than the other). You'll be pinning the sides together anyway, so you make the necessary adjustments then.
3. Use pins to attach the two rectangles together so that the front of the tie is on the outside of both sides. Use your scissors to cut a “dip” into the top of the rectangle on one side. Using your needle and thread (or a sewing machine if you prefer), sew up three sides of the tie to make a pouch, leaving the top with the “dip” unsewn.
4. Center your button just below the dip and sew it firmly into place. Using the button as a guide, add a loop of elastic on the side without the dip so that it can connect to the button.