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

Craft Idea

I was trying to clean up my craft/sewing room the other day, yes its a disaster. I came across one of those shower curtain pressure mount extension rods. I had purchased a few small skinny ones when we lived in Okinawa, Japan; because we had a small kitchen window that had tile all around it. Anyways, I grabbed the small rod, looked at my ribbon rolls and BAM! I thought, why not just put the ribbon rolls onto the rod, and pressure mount it into my bookcase! Brilliant!

Now I can just slide it off, add new ones, and or take old ones off, and its portable. I can move from this house to another, and I will always have somewhere to put this, because I will always have those bookcases! So, if you don't want to make or purchase some fancy wood box that holds the ribbons, now you can purchase a skinny pressure mount extension rod and your problem is solved! Super cheap, or in my case free, crafty clean up, check! Also, if you don't have a bookcase like mine, you can do this with any space. Just find an area in the closet, or you can purchase a small bookcase at a thrift store or garage sale.

I used one of my smaller shelf areas, so the ribbon wouldn't run away.

Heres the rod up close. It works great.

I did want to point out, in the photo above, you can see the rubber stoppers on the end of the rod... I had to take mine off to get a few of the ribbon rolls onto the rod. So, in other words, make sure the rubber stops come off, or you get a rod small enough to fit over the holes in the ribbon rolls. 

All I need to do now is get a ton more ribbon.

Happy Hunting,
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