I got two fun new things made. For whatever reason Apple has decided the new phone doesn’t need a screen protector. Well, mine is already scratched. Just a tiny scratch, but annoying on such a beautiful device. I can’t help putting in my purse (where else am I supposed to put it?) so I made a sleeve for it so the face doesn’t get scratched. Since I have my amazing Feather case from Incipio the back is protected without adding any bulk to it and it fits right in the sleeve just like the phone would without a case. I added a little tab on the top and made a lanyard, so i can throw it around my neck when I walk the dogs. This idea came after trying to make an armband. While the concept would work well for a nano, the iPhone is way too wide to wear on an armband. In the end, I’m happier with this and it turned out really cute!
I was going to post a tutorial for this, but really all I did was cut 2 pieces of fabric 4″x10.5″ and a piece of batting, sew them together and then fold in half and sew up the sides. If anyone is interested (does anyone even read my blog?) I’ll post the instructions with pictures… let me know :)
Then I made another zippered bag. This one isn’t for me – well, it isn’t for anyone. I was just playing around. I made the zippered buttercup a while back, and noted what I would do differently. I changed some of the measurements for installing the zipper and I’m quite happy with it! I am very seriously considering making a pattern for this. I made this small size because I had some scrap fabric and a shorter zipper. I will definitely make a larger one with a brighter color that is easier to see. This isn’t difficult to make, but there are a couple tricks to it so that you can open the zipper up all the way. I know there are a lot of zipper patterns/tutorials out there, but I haven’t found anything that opens this wide. They always have tabs on the ends or sew the zipper into the sides that restrict the amount that the bag can open. It’s difficult to describe, so I was also considering borrowing Ken’s podcasting equipment to create a video tutorial that shows exactly how to do it.
It is really difficult to photograph the black fabric. I played with the brightness and contrast levels so you can actually see the design, but the fabric looks washed out. Oh well! I had confidence in this design, so I took the time to QUILT the outside!
I read something the other day by an “expert” that said it simply wasn’t possible to put a zipper in a purse with a small opening of this style. What can I say? I always got in trouble at school for challenging authority!
Anyway, I really had fun playing with this and after one almost-success (the buttercup) and then several in the garbage, it’s nice to get this right! I’ve realized that the fun part of sewing for me is figuring these things out. Making the same thing over and over gets so boring. Making something new is pure satisfaction, and another mark off the to-do list!
I read it and enjoy it. Your bag is beautiful and the little iphone case is cute. I have and itouch and even though I made a case for it, it isn’t a real portable one. If you do a tutorial, I’d be interested. By the way, your mom’s laptop case and the baby set are all very cute. I have an 8 month old great grandbaby, and I may take some ideas from your little goodies.
Love the purse. Been working on a hipster purse design for the Fall and had lots of them in the garbage. One my mother did like and uses all the time. Would love a pattern for the one you did here. great job.
Thanks! I’m still working out the kinks. You would think it’s just a square, but my issue is getting the pattern pieces to fit on paper without having to tape together several sheets… I may not get to make it as large as I want but the whole point is the zip anyway, then people can make it whatever size they like! I took a break from it for a few days, but I’ll get back to working on it on Tuesday.
Candace – thank you! I’m glad someone is reading and finding inspiration. Sometimes I think I’m just doing this for myself and no one reads it!
I can make a tutorial for the sleeve. I’ll have to get my hands on the touch though to see if it fits as well or if it needs to be smaller, because it’s so much thinner than the phone. The new one that comes out next week is *half* the thickness. I wonder how people even hold onto them :)
Yes I’d love to see a tutorial, and I love your blog! Brand new to the blogging game myself…
I tried to make a cover for my iPhone for the same reason and I made it far too complicated (not sure why), it has a zipper, pocket for the earphones and is actually quite inconvenient to use! Ha ha… A slip in pocket like you have made looks much more sensible.
Thanks! OK I will make one TODAY. :) What I made was so simple, really. I actually made a separate teeny tiny zippered pouch for all my earbuds because I apparently don’t have iPod compatible ears so I have to use a different brand when I listen to music, but I still need my iPhone headphones with the mic. hand-free calls. The ones I use all the time have those fuzzy pads so I have to put them in a pouch or the pads fall off in my purse.
IPod compatible ears? Never heard of this:) ha ha!
A little zipper pouch would be cute, in the same fabric and attachable to your pouch above. hmmm……
Thanks looking forward to seeing the pattern, even if it very simple! I need simple sometimes:)
Kate.
[...] October 25, 2010 by Erin EricksonFinally, here it is! Several people have asked for a tutorial forthis and I got it done quickly, but the pictures were just terrible so I had to wait for decent light to [...]