DIY

So just want to admit to being a total failure on this week’s project.  It was all about protecting my iPad that I take everywhere.  Love my iPad.  Cause I’ve always gotta be totally connected.  It even has a totally cute little travel case that I made a few years ago so it can be real pretty when it travels with me. Pretty is very important to me and my iPad.

 But that case is not lookin’ good with my new carry on bag.  Makes my soul kinda shrivel up….

So I had to make a new coordinating case.  I’ve made a few of these in the past and thought I’d change it up a little.  It would look like an envelope and have a loop and button closure plus denim trim.  So cute and easy peasy–in my head at least.

I had a stack of coordinating fabric…

One rainy afternoon I measured.  Drew a little pattern. Cut it out.  Sewed it up.  Then I realized I had put the fabrics in the wrong order.  Get the ripper.  And sewed it up again.  And then I discovered that I had forgot to include the flap length to my calculations. Yeah, it was there on my diagram, just not added in.  Had to start all over.

So onto day 2….

Made sure everything was measured correctly.  Cut it out.  On this version I decided to use two layers of fleece to provide extra padding then quilted it.  All done and discovered that the lining had slipped.  Put a new lining on. 

Day 3….

Found a little matching pocket that I must have made for another tote so thought I would use it even though I really didn’t need a pocket.  Put the pocket in the exact spot I should have but the button for the loop closure.  So I had to use Velcro. Grrrrr, didn’t want to use velcro.  Then I couldn’t get the denim trim to lay correctly on the flap’s curves.  Gave up on that.  Tried a different method.  Broke a needle.  Bent the next needle.  And last but not least, sewed the Velcro on upside down. 

Therefore, there are no instructions for this iPad case.  And I’m not showing any close up shots since the stitching is so BAD. 

Normally I would just start all over and learn from my mistakes.  But I’m already on day 3 of this miserable failure so I’m stepping away from the sewing machine….

Step away, step away, for another day.

I’m now going to clean my garage…. 

I’ve been looking for a tutorial for a tote with a zipper. I wanted to make a carry on bag for all my electronic gear and it had to have a zipper so my stuff wouldn’t spill out on the belt in security.  Hate that!

I made an overnight bag last year.  It was really pretty and sturdy but just too big for me to carry.  I need wheels for something that large!

Jes came by one weekend, loved it, and took it home with her.  And she’s still using it.

I finally found a smaller bag tutorial with a zipper, at Sew4Home.com

I changed a few things, like the handles.  I didn’t see any need for the double handle plus I wanted them to be a little wider and sturdier so I inserted them into the denim section’s seam.  Nothing worse than having the straps fall off while I’m running through the airport!

I used denim for the bottom rather than faux leather and fleece rather than batting.  I also stuck a pocket on the outside between the handles–so I can compulsively check my boarding pass every few minutes.

This is my version…

Same fabrics as I used on the overnight bag.  I ordered yards of these coordinating Premier Prints from Fabric.com to make bags for Christmas gifts last year.

Sometimes I just make things to have an excuse to take pictures of the pooch!

I’ve got a couple yards of these prints left.  Think I’ll make a few accessories to go with the carry on!

And I need to start planning a trip!