Mini iPad Case

My husband recently purchased an iPad mini and has already gone through two cases for it. Both being high end, great quality cases. However, I was not about to let him go purchase another. Instead I thought, why not make him a case COVER/HOLDER. This way when its not in use, in a backpack, or on a trip; he can protect it better.

I liked the idea of using his uniform fabric, so that way he can use it while at work or when he is deployed. For the inside fabric I used a t-shirt material. I wanted something soft and thinner, as the ABU (military) fabric is already really thick. I did add batting to give it that extra padding as well. The buttons I used are from his uniform, so they match the ones he wears every day.

I started out by using two rectangular pieces for the front and back. The front already had the pocket on it. I then cut a half circle and added a few inches to the back of the half circle, to make the opening.

Again, I used grey t-shirt material for the inside. I added batting in the to main rectangular piece, but not in the opening (half circle) piece. I also made the button hole and sewed the button on to hold the opening closed. I again, took this button from an old uniform to make sure it matched.

The smaller pocket is great for pens or pencils, an ID, wallet, etc.

I made his Father's Day card as well, which is a mans shirt with tie. Which is funny because I couldn't tell you the last time I saw him wear a tie.

Or oldest son helped Daddy open his Father's Day gift, and everyone loved it (by everyone I mean the husband and two sons).

Thats all. It was super easy and the only tricky part is trying to sew everything with the batting, and getting all the seams just right. I loved the finished product and hopefully my husband uses it more often then not (which I hope he does, because it will save us money in the long run).

Protect Those iPads,
Sarah

Smock for My Son

When I was a little girl I remember my mom had these really cute aprons that were almost like tank top dresses, but in the style of an apron. It was a fabric material, with old 70s fabric that tied in the back, and one on the side (if I remember correctly). I use to love putting them on, because it made me feel like I was a chef or a baker! I believe they were called smocks, not aprons.

My son is a very messy eater. He loves a lot of fruits, and veggies but usually enjoys wearing them as well. I got tired of undressing him and dressing him before and after EVERY meal or snack. I finally thought, those cute smocks when I was young would be a great idea for my son to wear while he eats. That way I don't have to keep undressing him and dressing him, and he can just eat in the smock. Then I could just wipe it down, and he will be clean (or cleaner then without it). 

I looked at my local craft store for a pattern, even checked online and at walmart. In the end I was not willing to spend $15 bucks for a pattern. I thought about it and decided I would just use a t-shirt out of my sons closet and use that as a pattern. I grabbed some paper, a shirt that is a little large on my son, and started tracing.

Now, I wanted the back to be where the snaps go. I also wanted to make it expand over time so when he starts getting bigger I wont have to keep making a new one. So, the design will have the front as a solid panel, and the back would be two separate panels where the snaps will go. I used the front of the shirt and traced slightly larger then the shirt (to allow for seam allowances). I then flipped the shirt over and traced the back of the shirt to the center of it for the two back panels. I made one of the panels a little larger then the other (adding about an extra inch to the center of the shirt). The extra inch of fabric down the center will be where the extra snaps will go for the expansion for later on when he gets bigger.

Once I have the pattern made, I cut them out and trace them onto the wrong side of the fabric. Remember that you traced the pattern with the shirt facing towards you, but you now have the fabric facing down and away from you, so you will have to flip the pattern so the "right" sides are all facing the same way. Once you have your pattern traced onto your fabric, cut it out.

Now, I used vinyl as its easier to clean up, but a pain in the butt to sew! I found/read a trick online that when your sewing vinyl you just need to place painters tap on your machine and bottom of the foot. This way the vinyl will slip through your foot and the bottom of your machine, instead of sticking like its glue.

Once you have the pieces all cut you can begin to sew. I sewed the shoulder piece first. After those are attached I pinned the sides together, then sewed those together.

Now you can add binding like I did or you can fold the fabric in a 1/4 of an inch or 1/2 inch and sew that down. I made binding and then attached that. I would say if your a seasoned sewer you could do the binding, if your not then you might want to stick to just folding all the exposed edges (and sewing those with a straight stitch).

This is the final product:

This is the front, note the entire front is one piece of fabric.

 

Heres the back. One side has the extra inch in the center where the snaps are. The other side stops at the center (of the shirt I traced for the pattern).

These are the snaps I added. The one on the left is the female snap, the three on the right are all male snaps. This way when you put it on you can choose the size you need, and snap into which ever one is closes.

I put it on my son and he was in love with it! Sorry the pictures are kind of blurry, he was running and dancing in it.

Also, you can use these for painting, or any "dirty" crafts you may want to do!

 He was being a super hero!

In action, enjoying a snack!

So now go get dirty or get crafty with your little ones,
Sarah

Crayon Travel Case

With our move to California fast approaching I needed to start getting some of these travel sewing ideas made. One of them was a crayon holder that rolled up. I have seen these used for crochet tools, sewing items, and even makeup and toiletry items. They roll up for easy storing, and my son wont be able to rip the box like he already did! 

Now if you check pinterest you might find tons of these, but they all tie up with ribbons. I hate that, because I want to be able to throw it in the washer. I have had too many ribbons fray in the washer, and even get caught and rip. So my solution was an elastic band and button closure. You will need to figure out how much fabric by measuring out the amount of crayons or other tools you want to put in the pocket. I had larger size crayons so I gave them an inch each for their pocket. I then added about 4 more inches to the end so I had room to roll around the crayons.

I started with 2 pieces of fabric that were 13 inches by 6 inches. I then cut the pocket piece of fabric at 13 inches by 5 inches.

I then took the (green) pocket piece of fabric and ironed a fold (about 1/2inch) to make a nice seam on the top.

Once I had the fold ironed down, I moved over to the sewing machine and stitched along the fold about 1/4 inch from the fold.

I then layered the 3 pieces with the elastic hook. NOTE: a small hair tie works really well! I place one of the larger pieces of fabric right side up, then placed the pocket fabric right side up. Place the elastic band on one end and then place the last piece of fabric right side down on top of the other two. Pin the side where the elastic band is, securing it in place.

Once the three pieces are all stacked together it should look like this.

I then stitched along the edge to secure the elastic band. I back stitched when I go to the elastic band to help secure it in place.

I then changed my stitch to a zigzag and went back and forth over the elastic band to really secure it in place and make sure it doesn't slip.

I then moved over to my serger and serged around the last 3 edges. I left a small hole about 2 inches wide, so I can flip the entire thing inside out. MAKE SURE YOUR HOLE IS NOT ON THE SIDE WHERE THE POCKET FABRIC IS.
NOTE: if you don't have a serger you can straight stitch about 1/4 inch around the entire thing (again leaving a hole), then just zigzag stitch on the right side of the straight stitch.

Notice the hole on the top left corner (above). I then flipped the 3 fabrics inside out. Fold in the fabric at the hole, and iron it down. Continue ironing the rest of the fabric to make it nice and smooth.

Pin the fabric at the hole if you need to. Then top stitch around the entire thing. Usually I start about an inch or so before the open hole with a lock stitch, then continue around the edge and finish with another lock in stitch where you started.

Your finished product should look something like this:

I then stitched one pocket as a test run, to made sure the crayon fit. Once I knew it fit I continued the spacing for the rest of the crayons.

 When stitching the lines I started with a lock in stitch and ended with a lock in stitch to be sure the pockets didn't come undone.

I then placed all the crayons in the pocket and rolled it up to see where the button would need to go.

I pulled the elastic band slightly and noted the spot where I wanted to place the button.

 
I then chose the button I wanted and stitched it into place. Be sure to watch where your stitching. Mine landed right where the pocket was, so i had to work carefully so not to catch the pocket and sew it shut.

Once it was on, I checked to make sure it worked, and it was a huge success!

Finished product:

Now, I do want to say that after I made this I would go back and make the extra fabric a little longer, only because the button fell where the pocket was and it would have been easier to sew on if it fell along the empty part. I would add another 3 or 4 inches next time. Hope that helps and I hope you all enjoy this quick and easy one day project!

Now you can color on the go,
Sarah