I’ve been dragged kicking and screaming into the digital age; I’m much more comfortable in an analog world. I like to keep my technology at a minimum.
Welcome to my analog world, where clocks have faces; books and calendars have pages.
A few years back, when the iPad made the scene, my reaction was typical: “Why would I ever want one of those things?” Then, about six months ago, my husband (a true acolyte of technology) upgraded and offered me his castoff. I’m hooked.
One of the biggest advantages to “the Pad” is its portablility. There are tons of sleeves, cases, covers, and carriers out there, but to me, they all looked so–well, so uninteresting. You can guess what happens next.
This is a fun, easy, and super creative project–fast too, depending upon how you decide to embellish it. It makes a great gift, although I suspect you’ll want to make one for yourself as well. The finished size is approximately 9 1/2″ x 11 1/2″.
What You’ll Need:
Cotton batting, fusible, lining fabric: one 11-1/2″ x 19″ piece each
Fusible, outer (front) fabric: one 13-1/2″ x 21″ piece each
Scrap of 1/8″-wide ribbon and a decorative button (for closure)
Fabric and fusible scraps, decorative threads, beads, buttons, trims, and other embellishments as desired
Directions:
1. Fuse lining fabric, right side up, to batting using the 11-1/2″ x 19″ piece of fusible.
2. Apply 13 1/2″ x 21″ piece of fusible to wrong side of outer fabric.
Left: Outer fabric/fusible (13 1/2″ x 21″); Right: Lining/Fusible/Batting (11 1/2″ x 19″)
3. Center prepared batting, lining side up, over fusible side of prepared outer fabric. Starting with the two long sides, turn outer fabric to the lining; press to fuse. Repeat for both short sides, squaring the corners; press. Clip excess fabric at corners on the diagonal.
Fold edges of outer fabric over lining; clip excess corner fabric on the diagonal.
4. Fold unit in half, lining sides together; press. Unfold and use an erasable fabric marker to lightly mark crease. This identifies front area of case for embellishment.
Fold and mark.
5. Quilt as desired. I quilted a simple wavy-line pattern in matching thread; finished in no time.
Wavy-line quilting; fast and easy
6. Use fabric scraps, decorative threads, ribbons, trims, rubber stamps, buttons, and/or other notions to embellish as desired.
7. Center and stitch a decorative button close to top edge of case front. Knot tails of a small ribbon scrap; center and stitch to inside top edge of case back.
You could substitute elastic for the looped ribbon.
8. Refold cover, lining sides together. Starting with a few backstitches, topstitch 1/4″ from each side edge. Finish with a few backstitches.
Stop and start side seams with backstitching for reinforcement.
Slip your iPad inside the case, button up, and you’re ready to go!
I used a luscious, deep gray, hand-dyed solid for the outside of my case–I absolutely love the sueded look of those Cherrywood cottons!–but the fabric choice is up to you. Substitute ribbon ties, snaps, or even velcro for the button-and-loop closure. If you like, add handles. Personalize for the recipient with a monogram or other favorite motifs. Possibilities? Endless!
So much fun…and so easy!
Jennifer’s famous jewelry pouch!
On the subject of hand-crafted gifts: If you’re a relatively new visitor to See How We Sew, visit our archives from last November and December. There are instructions and patterns for a few terrific holiday gifts: a super-easy, super-cool jewelry pouch (great stocking stuffer!); an autumn-leaf bedecked and an elegant snowflake pillow; a sweet little pincushion (perfect for your stitching friends); and a cute miniature stocking that doubles as an ornament/gift-card holder.
Finally, I’m happy to announce that the winner of the random drawing for Pretty in Patchwork: Holidays from Tuesday’s post is Marilyn Chapman. Marilyn, please email your snail-mail address to seehowwesew@gmail.com, and I’ll pop your book in the mail so you can start stitching up some holiday goodies. (And Marilyn? Your comment was beautiful.)
Whoops…not so fast! I just received an email from Martingale & Company, publisher of my books (with friend, Chris Porter), Cuddle Me Quick and A Year in the Life of Sunbonnet Sue. They’re having a huge online sale now through Monday:
Click here for the link to the sale.
That’s it for now (honestly). ‘Til next time, happy stitching!
