Category Archives: iPad slipcover

bag sewing, embroidery, iPad carrycase, iPad gadget, iPad slipcover

“Tiffany” iPad patchwork shoulder bag

October 11, 2014 TeresaDownUnder 2 Comments

This is my third iPad carry bag. I take my iPad with my all the time and the fabric just wears out.

The first iPad carry bag I made had a patchwork flap. The second one I used embroidery for. And this time I just made a quick one. I called it Tiffany because the charm squares are from a Moda fabric collection with the same name.

Materials

12 x 5 inch charm squares for the exterior
20 1/2 x 9 in fabric for the lining
2 pieces of batting measuring 21 1/2 x 10 in each
45 inch strap
velcro

Instructions

Arrange your charm squares by twos as per picture and stitch together.

Now fold at 10 1/2 inch as per picture.

And draw a short line on each side as per picture. This mark is where the flap starts.

To make the flap, take a dessert plate or a plate that is almost as wide as the panel and place it on top as per picture.

Draw around the plate close to where you drew the short line. Then finish the drawing by adding a straight line between the curve and the 10 1/2 in marking on each side.

If you click on the picture below you’ll see a larger picture and will be able to understand what I mean.

Using the exterior rectangle as a guide, cut the lining piece.

Now you have both pieces, you’ll be cutting the flap at the same time.

Pin well and cut both pieces along the curve.

I wanted to add extra padding to the bag so I used 2 pieces of batting instead of one. You coud use heavy weight interfacing instead.

Cut the pieces of batting using the exterior as a guide. I trimmed off the flap on one of the batting pieces but as it turned out two would have been ok. Your choice.

Pin batting to the exterior.

Quilt any way you like. Lately I kind of like quilting in narrow lines. They look neat.

Trim off the extra batting.

Now place a piece of velcro about 2 inches from the top edge. I don’t like use velcro with adhesive because it always comes apart eventually. And if you stitch it as well as stick it, it ruins the needle.

Stitch around the velcro piece.

Now place the other piece of velcro on the lining part. To find the exact place where to add velcro, place the lining flap over the exterior as if closing the bag.

Pin and stitch all around.

Now fold the lining piece making sure the straight edge aligns with the line marking where the flap starts.

Mark a 3 inch opening on one side to turn bag inside out.

Stitch around both sides leaving the gap as per picture below to turn the bag inside out.

Now do the same with the exterior. Sorry no photo. I forgot to take one.

Just fold the exterior piece right sides together making sure you align the straight narrow edge with the start of the flap markings. Pin well and stitch around both sides. Trim corners and turn inside out.

Adding the strap

For the first time I purchased a strap. Hopefully it’ll hold the shape better than the homemade ones.

Place the strap about 1 3/4 inch from the edge and pin on each side.

Stitch strap well on each side going up and forth several times. Do not stitch higher than 1/4 from the edge. We need 1/4 inch seam allowance when attaching the lining.

Now place the exterior inside the lining. Pull the strap down.

Align top straight edge and flap from exterior and lining. Pin well.

Stitch all around. Make sure the strap is out of the way.

Now turn bag inside out through the 3 inch opening.

The bag is almost finished.

Stitch the opening.

For neatness’ sake stitch around the flap as close to the edge as possible as per picture.

The bag is finished!

bag sewing, christmas pattern, Christmas quilt, embroidery, iPad carrycase, iPad gadget, iPad slipcover

Hand embroidery projects and ideas

August 23, 2014 TeresaDownUnder 1 Comment

In this post I’ll resurface some of my favourite hand embroidery projects and ideas. Each project comes with a tutorial to make an object as well as a novel way to use embroidery in a non traditional way.

1. Using the fabric design as an embroidery template

The first project is an iPad carrybag. The embroidery pattern is the outline of the fabric I used for the tab and the back scaled down. This is an idea that can take other directions and in future I intend to explore further.

2. Embellishing a quilt with embroidery

This tutorial shows you how to make a Christmas quilt using 5 inch charm squares. The quilt is completed by an embroidered French Christmas poem.

3. Gradient embroidery

This tutorial is for a notebook cover. This type of embroidery can be done with numbers, initials, names and the like. It’s easy though a bit time consuming.

4. Extending fabric print with embroidery

This cozy tutorial is embellished with embroidery. Check out the tutorial and look closely at the fabric. The pattern in the fabric has been filled in with embroidery. I intend to explore this type of embroidery further in the future.

5. Embroidery lettering

These napkins are made as a set. Each of them contains an embroidered line belonging to a French nursery rhyme.

6. Pillow embroidery to match duvet cover

This tutorial contains an embroidery idea for a matching pillow case. The idea was born out of need. I bought a doona cover without matching pillows. I then drew some of the doona cover flowers on the pillow and embroidered them.

7. Embroidering on felt shapes

This tutorial contains instructions on how to make flowers with felt cutouts. I used embroidery to embellish the flowers.

8. Mixing improv patchwork with embroidery

This is a tutorial for a reversible tray cover using basic improv patchwork and embroidery. The words on both sides are in French as well.

If you make any item based on my tutorials pleas share in my Flickr group.

bag sewing, embroidery, iPad carrycase, iPad gadget, iPad slipcover

Designer fabric embroidery – iPad slipcover with strap

July 20, 2013 TeresaDownUnder 18 Comments

This iPad slipcover or carry bag with strap is actually made out of 2 different projects or ideas.

The first idea is about the embroidery and the fabric. I have already done other embroidery projects with some designer fabric (Embroidered spare toilet roll holder, Embroidered fabric tea cozy tutorial or the Embroidered eye mask tutorial) but this one is a bit different.

This project will work well for larger prints though you can always enlarge small sections of the pattern and use that instead.

If the project is not clear from the picture, keep reading.

Fabric embroidery

My choice of fabric was Peonies by Heather Bailey. It’s a simple large print that can be traced easily.

The flowers in the fabric were too large so I adjusted the size to make them smaller, made the picture black and white, remove the black colour as much as possible and ended up with this.

As you can see, the original fabric has larger flowers than the picture above.

Then I traced it on a piece of linen.

I chose some matching colours in green.

And I started embroidery using chain stitch for the petals and stem stitch for the stems.

Voila the embroidery!

I stretched the embroidery on a ironing board and steamed it to get it as flat as possible.

Detail of the embroidery.

Side to side with the fabric.

Making the bag

Materials

10 1/2 x 9 inch in designer fabric
12 1/2 x 11 in of linen or plain fabric for the embroidery
1 1/2 in velcro
45 in x 2 1/2 in strip in linen for the strap
45 in ribbon for the strap
45 in x 1 in of batting for the strap
3 in x 4 1/2 in linen and again the same size in the designer fabric for the tab
2 1/2 x 4 in of fusible interfacing for the tab
20 x 8 1/2 in of fusible interfacing
21 1/2 x 10 in of batting plus a 9 in x 5 in for reinforcement
20 1/2 x 9 in of linen for the lining

I used Pellon Peltex 71F for the interfacing with is very hard

Cut the embroidery panel to 10 1/2 x 9 inch down from 12 1/2 x 11 in.

Cut another rectangle the same size, ie 10 1/2 in x 9 in.

Sew both panels on the bottom edge paying attention to which way the pattern goes, eg with the flowers up if using flowers.

Pin, stitch and press with seams open.

Attach the interfacing to the fabric using manufacturer’s instructions.

At this stage the bag starts getting a bit harder to handle because of the interfacing stiffness.

Lining

Cut

21 1/2 x 10 in of batting plus a 9 in x 5 in for reinforcement
20 1/2 x 9 in of linen for the lining

Place as per picture and stitch leaving a 1/4 in seam allowance.

Trim excess batting off.

Press the lining well.

Fold it in half to find the middle point.

Pin on the middle line.

Place the small piece of batting in the middle as per picture.

Stitch.

If necessary, trim excess batting off.

Now the lining is ready, cut a 1 1/2 in piece of velcro.

Place one of the pieces in the middle of the panel as per picture, at 2 inches from the top edge.

Stitch around the velcro.

Strap

Cut

45 in x 2 1/2 in strip of linen fabric
45 in x 1 in batting
45 in of ribbon in a matching colour

Start by placing the batting in the middle of the strip of linen fabric.

Fold both sides of the linen strip in as per picture and pin.

Then, over the seam line, start removing the pin, cover the line with the ribbon and pin back. You could do both things at once rather than in two steps but I think it is easier to manage in two steps.

The stitch along each side of the ribbon and again very close to each edge of the linen strap.

Making the tab

Cut

3 in x 4 1/2 in linen and again
3 in x 4 1/2 in designer fabric for the tab
2 1/2 x 4 in of fusible interfacing for the tab

Take the linen piece and attach the other piece of velcro close to the edge and centered as per picture.

Then attach the fusible interfacing as per manufacturing instructions to the wrong side of the linen fabric.

Place the designer fabric and linen fabric right sides together as per picture and stitch leaving a 1/4 in seam allowance.

Turn inside out and stitch around the tab as close to the edge as you can.

Place the tab as per picture centered in the middle of the top edge of what will be the bag.

Stitch along the top.

Now fold the panel in half and pin.

Stitch along opposite sides leaving the top open.

Turn inside out and press.

Fold the lining in half as per photo and stitch along the sides leaving the top open.

Leave a 4 in opening on one of the sides to turn the bag inside out.

Now place the straps on each side of the bag.

Pin.

Insert the bag inside of the lining as per picture.

Pin along the top edge and stitch well.

Turn the bag inside out through the 4 in opening in the lining.

Fold the edges of the lining hole in and pin.

Stitch to close.

Push the lining inside the bag.

Press the bag again.

The bag is done.

charm pack sewing, easy sewing project, improv patchwork, iPad slipcover, quick sewing project, tutorial

iPad accessories: 6 free sewing tutorials

April 27, 2013 TeresaDownUnder 3 Comments

I have now made 6 iPad accessories for my 2 iPads. Most of them are easy and quick to make. Most tutorials can be adapted to e-book or ipod sizes.

Just in case you missed the tutorials here they are again:

iPad stand

This is the second stand or iPad beanbag I made. Useful when you need to use the iPad for long periods of time.

iPad carry bag

When you want to take your iPad with you.

iPad holder for the car

This iPad holder can equally be placed on the headrest of a car.

Patchwork iPad beanbag

I use my iPad stands for reading mostly but they´re useful to watch movies or for when you are following a recipe.

iPad slipcover with wrap around pocket and iPad slipcase with pocket

Choose your design. The first one opens on the side and the second one through the top.

fabric scraps project, free pattern, iPad slipcover, tutorial

Urban garden iPad carry case tutorial – part 2

January 26, 2013 TeresaDownUnder 6 Comments

In part 1 of this tutorial I created an improv patchwork flap for the ipad carry bag including a zippered pocket.

In part 2 I will finish the bag and attach the flap.

Materials are listed in part 1 of this tutorial.

Making the bag

Cut 2 fabric rectangles measuring 10 1/2 x 9 inches.

Then cut 2 heavy fusible interfacing panels measuring 10 x 8 1/2 inches.

Iron fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric following manufacturer’s instructions.

Now place both pieces with right sides facing together and stitch along 3 sides leaving the top open.

Turn inside out.

If using Peltex 71F it will be hard to turn the bag around. The peltex may crease but it can be easily ironed again.

Making the lining

Cut two rectangles the same size as the exterior of the bag.

Adding the pockets

(Pockets are optional. I find that the larger pockets can get in the way.)

Cut two rectangles 8 1/2 in x 9 in.

Fold each rectangle along the longer side with the right side facing together.

Sew to make a tube.

Turn inside out.

Iron flat hiding the seam on the inside of the pocket.

Stitch along one long edge very close to the edge.

Then stitch again 1/4 inch from the edge.

Pin to one panel that will make the lining. Leave 1 1/2 from the top edge and pin to the fabric.

Leave 1/4 inch from the bottom and pin second tube.

Stitch along the bottom of each pocket. Then sew to make smaller pockets.

You can make the pockets into smaller pockets by sewing perpendicular lines as per picture above.

Now place both lining panels with right sides facing together and stitch on opposite sides only.

Attaching the lining to the bag

Place the outside bag inside the lining.

Align the top edges, pin and stitch along the edge leaving 1/4 in seam allowance.

Turn the bag inside out through the open side in the lining.

Now fold the linen open edges in by 1/4 in and top stitch very close to the edge.

Add the key ring

Cut a 4 in ribbon and stitch to the key ring.

Pin it to the edge of a pocket.

Then stitch to the pocket. Add a small button to decorate if you wish.

Strap

Cut a 1 strip measuring 1 1/4 in x 43 in fabric for the strap, one piece of medium weight fusible interfacing measuring 3/4 in x 42 in and a piece of ribbon which is 46 inches long.

Place the interfacing in the middle of the strip with the sticky side up. Fold both sides of the strip in and place the piece of ribbon on top.

Iron well.

Pay special attention to the edges and fold the strip of fabric in to hide the raw edges.