Some sewing projects are just plain fun to make. Others become those little everyday essentials you didn’t realize you needed until you have one sitting beside you. The Jack Stand is both!
Designed by Sallie Tomato sample sewist and editor Jennifer Reinke, the Jack Stand is an easy-to-sew phone stand designed to give your phone a comfortable resting place while keeping your screen upright and easy to see. And yes, there really is a Jack behind the name! Jennifer named the pattern after her loyal dog, Jack.
Whether you’re watching a Sallie Tomato tutorial at your sewing table, following a recipe in the kitchen, video chatting with a friend, or simply keeping your phone within reach while it charges, this compact stand is a handy addition to just about any space.
Even better? It’s quick to sew, beginner friendly, and a great way to turn smaller pieces of your favorite materials into something useful.
Meet the Jack Stand
The Jack Stand sewing pattern creates a structured, weighted phone holder that measures approximately:
5-3/4" wide × 5-1/2" high × 6" deep
14.6cm wide × 14cm high × 15.2cm deep
It's simple shape cradles your phone without taking up much room, making it perfect for a desk, nightstand, sewing room, kitchen counter, or wherever your phone tends to land.
The pattern also includes a few optional details so you can customize your Jack Stand to fit how you plan to use it.
Add bag feet for an extra decorative touch or include a webbing loop with a D-ring or swivel hook to make your stand easy to hang and store when it’s not in use.
products to get you started
A Great Project for Cork Fabric & Faux Leather
One of the best parts about the Jack Stand is choosing your material.
Because this is a structured project, we recommend using a nonwoven fabric, such as cork fabric or faux leather. These materials help create the shape of the stand while giving the finished project a polished look.
And this is where you can really make Jack your own.
Choose a rich cork texture for something natural and sophisticated. Try a colorful faux leather to brighten up your sewing room. Coordinate one with your desk, bedroom, or kitchen. You could even make several in completely different styles for different spaces around your home.
Have some leftover cork or faux leather from a previous bag project? Take a look through your stash before starting. This little project could be the perfect reason to finally use a piece you’ve been saving.
What You’ll Need to Sew the Jack Stand
Gather your supplies before you begin so you can enjoy the sewing process without having to hunt for something halfway through.
Main Materials
You'll need:
- Main Fabric: Cork fabric, faux leather, or another nonwoven material
- Weighted Filling: Approximately 3/4 cup of rice, poly pellets, or small aquarium gravel
- Polyester Fiber Filling: Used for additional filling and shaping
Optional Supplies
Depending on how you want to customize your Jack Stand, you may also want:
- 1/2" (12mm) wide webbing
- One 1/2" (12mm) D-ring or swivel hook
- Three 1/2" (12mm) bag feet or short 9mm stud buttons
You'll also want your usual sewing tools nearby, including polyester thread, sewing clips, a removable marking pen or chalk, scissors, a rotary punch or mini fabric punch, a small funnel, zipper foot, Teflon foot, glue, and other favorite notions.
Watch our tutorial
If you like having a little extra guidance while you sew, you can follow along with our Jack Stand video tutorial on YouTube.
The Jack Stand pattern includes a QR code that takes you directly to the tutorial, making it easy to keep the video nearby while you work. Pause when you need to, replay a technique, and sew at your own pace. We’ll guide you through the construction and share tips along the way so you can focus on enjoying the process.
Grab your pattern, choose your materials, and sew right along with us!
Here's what you'll learn!
- Working with nonwoven materials such as cork fabric and faux leather
- Marking and preparing your fabric pieces
- Creating structure with weighted filling
- Topstitching for a clean, finished look
- Adding optional bag feet or stud buttons
- Creating an optional webbing hardware loop
- Working with D-rings or swivel hooks
- Using polyester fiber filling to shape your project
- Finishing exposed seam edges with optional edge paint
Make It Your Own
One Jack Stand could easily turn into five once you start thinking about all the ways to customize it.
Make one that coordinates with your sewing room. Create another for your office desk. Keep one on the kitchen counter for following recipes. Make a fun version for a teenager's room or choose sophisticated cork and hardware for a more elevated look.
You can also play around with the finishing details.
Adding bag feet or stud buttons gives your Jack Stand a little extra personality, while the optional hardware loop makes it easy to clip or hang when it’s not being used.
For an even more polished finish, you can apply Edge Kote paint to the exposed seam edge.
There’s no single “right” combination. Pick the materials and details that make you excited to sit down and sew.
A Little Project You'll Use Again and Again
There’s something extra satisfying about sewing a project that immediately earns a place in your everyday routine. The Jack Stand is simple enough for a relaxing sewing session but still gives you opportunities to play with cork, faux leather, hardware, and finishing details.
Make yours bold and colorful, keep it simple and classic, or sew a few to give as handmade gifts. However you customize it, we hope the Jack Stand gives you another reason to sit down at your machine and enjoy creating something useful.
Once yours is finished, share your Jack Stand on social media using #sallietomato and #jackstandpattern. We love seeing how you take our patterns and make them completely your own.
Happy sewing, and as always, Create Confidently!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jack Stand suitable for beginner sewists?
Yes! The Jack Stand is designed as a beginner-friendly project. Its simple construction and compact size make it a great choice if you're newer to sewing with cork fabric, faux leather, or other nonwoven materials.
What fabric should I use for a phone stand?
For the Jack Stand, we recommend a nonwoven material such as cork fabric or faux leather. These materials work especially well for the structured design of the stand.
Do I have to add bag feet or stud buttons?
No. Bag feet and stud buttons are completely optional. If you decide to add them, heavy stabilizer can be used for additional support.
Leave a comment