Another ipad cover

I recently found out that a friend of mine really likes hot air balloons, so when shopping I found a nice floaty scarf with little balloons on it = I had to buy it for her.  She was also planning a trip overseas so when I saw this balloon fabric I decided to create a little sewing gift for her as well = a travel pouch for her tablet!
*edit: on the day I gave this to her, she told me that her tablet died!  At the airport she ended up buying a new tablet, but it is a mini!  This will now be too big!  Oh well, hopefully she can use it for something else.

front

I have made an ipad cover before so thought I would challenge myself with some all over free-motion quilting on this one, and a different flap closure.

back

To create the balloon flap I used a buttonhole stitch to attach the three coloured fabric wedges to a white background fabric.  Then I stitched the basket fabric on in the same way.  Here is what it looks like opened up.

To make the main part of the tablet pouch, I put my balloon fabric on top of some wadding which was on top of some white fabric.  Then using the sewing machine like a drawing pencil, I drew around the edges of every balloon and cloud.  To get from one to the other I just swirled around randomly in between.  I cut the finished piece of quilting to half an inch longer and wider than her Tablet.

I also sandwhiched some wadding in between some teal and white fabric and stitched figure 8 swirls along a 1.5" strip for the edges of my pouch.

Sewing instructions

I then made a lining pocket by sewing two pieces of fabric together to the same size as the outer quilted pouch, leaving a 3" opening at the bottom of the pocket, and the top opening completely unstitched.  Leaving the lining piece inside out, I sat the quilted pouch inside the lining then stitched around the top opening.  Pull the quilted pouch through the 3" opening at the bottom of the lining and the lining turns out the right way.  Stitch the 3" opening closed then fold it down into the pouch.

I stitched the big balloon straight onto the back of the pouch, following the lines of the balloon.

Conclusion

Even though this pouch is probably of no use to my friend now, it really is the thought that counts, but my thought.  I enjoyed making it, and I like showing kindness to others.  She may never really appreciate how long this took me or the amount of thought behind it.  But kindness should not be dependent on the level of appreciation/thanks we get from the recipient of our kindness.  I made this because I wanted to make something for a friend, because I want to be kind, and that is all.

Next up, I will be making a tablet pouch for another friend who just carries hers in a flimsy case, and I know she likes plum, so .....

A gift for my Dad

It's an ipad cover! 

I went to my local tartan shop and went through their alphabetised scrap boxes, to find myself a collection of blue and green tartans. I got about 20 5"x7" squares of 100% tartan wool for £2!! Included in my hoard are our family tartans too!

I cut them up into 24 3" squares.

Using my 1/4" foot I chain stitched them into pairs.

aah... I love chain stitching!

Using a hot steam iron I pressed them firmly.

Then I chain-stitched the pairs into rows of four.

Then I sewed the rows together to make a front and a back.

And to make the fold-over flap I sewed together three strips.

I cut a piece of cotton lining that was the full length
 of the front and back plus an additional 1" ease and 6" flap.

The batting was cut 1/2" smaller to help the seams to be less bulky.

I used an Australian printed cotton, because my family are a mixture of Scottish and Australian.

SEWING INSTRUCTIONS:

Dimensions: I got the measurements for the ipad from the makers website, added 1" for ease, 1/2" for seams and 6" for the fold-over flap. I cut the lining and batting in one long piece, and made up the 6" flap in patchwork strips, whilst the body was made up with patchworked squares.
1.With right sides together, sew the short edge of lining to short edge of patchwork squares. Press open. This makes the neat edge on the front. 
2.With right sides together sew the 3 sides of the patchwork squares pieces together, leaving the opening.
3. Lining: with right sides together, sew up the sides the same width as the patchworked pocket. Then tuck this into the patchwork pouch to make sure it fits.
4.Attach your tartan strip fold-over flap, with right sides together, to the back of the patchwork pocket.
5. Untuck the lining from the patchwork pocket and with right sides together, sew onto the fold-over flap, but leave the narrow end un-sewn. Use this un-sewn end to turn the pocket inside out and then handstitch it closed.
6.Affix whatever closures you would prefer: velcro, buttons, etc.



I handstitched a label to the inside that says "Handmade with Love" and made buttonholes to close the flap. 

I don't have an ipad myself, and don't know anyone who does, so I won't know if it fits until I give it to him. And if it doesn't fit? Well, I think I will keep it for myself and use it as a transferable hold-all to keep my purse, phone, keys in, and just grab it when I swap handbags to workbags!