Saturday, July 6, 2013

Canvas iPad Case

Today was an amazing beautiful summer Saturday, despite my hubby's attempts I wasn't feeling like leaving the house. I decided to get some sewing projects going. I spent some time on Pintrest looking a baby clothing ideas. One of my best friends is having her first baby!!!! I am so excited, I want to make one of everything for her and the baby!
When I sat down with my iPad next to the stack of fabric and a million ideas floating in my head. I settled for finally making a iPad case for myself and a tutorial for you instead. Oh, how my brain works...
I got started by getting out the computer case I made awhile back for my hubby. I wanted to make similar style cases so they could be used together. I refreshed my memory of things I wished I had done and recalled order that worked well when putting it together. 
First, I measured the iPad, which was 8x10, and I was able to figure the size of the pieces to cut:
- 2- 9"x11"-Sturdy fabric- I used Red canvas for outer fabric, later Side A and Side B.
- 2- 8"x10"- Peltex- Stiff flexible material that works for creating items that need to maintain their shape- I found this on a rack at Joann's -It is expensive compared to fabric but, makes this project seem store bought and create lots of padding for the iPad.
- 4- 8"x10"- Batting- I used scraps of cheaper thinner batting I had.
- 2 9"x11"- Flannel- I used Tan baby flannel I had for a lining fabric.
- 2- 5 1/2"x 7 1/2"- Sturdy Canvas- I used Black canvas scraps for a tab closure.
- 1- Polygon 5" x 11" x 7" x 9"- Sturdy Canvas- I used a Black canvas triangle scrap I had that was already very close to this size and simply trimmed the thinnest point off to make it a four sided polygon pocket.
- 1- Large Button- I used I big vintage black one I had in my stash.
When it was all cut out then I got to sewing:
a.To create Side A: lay out one outer canvas rectangle, center one sheet of batting, then add one Peltex and then another sheet of batting. pinning it in the middle with a one inch spacing from edge to hold while "quilting" it together. (see image below) Canvas side down I stich a few lines that serve two purposes in creating Side A. One, to hold the Peltex and batting in place. Two, when using contrasting thread to create some decoration on the showing side.

b. Quilt your lines in a pattern you like on to Side A, I didn't use any guide line. but it would help if you care about straight line, which I obviously dont. (see image above)

c. Take two small tab pieces and sew together on three sides, using a 1/4'' seam allowance and leaving one 5 1/2'' side open. Turn right side out and press.
d. Using a 1/2'' seam allowance top stich around the three sewn sides of the tab (slightly visible in image above).
e. Place and mark where button should go using pins on either side and use machine's setting to create a large button hole, cut open hole and remove canvas excess. (see image above)
f. Take canvas pocket piece. fold and iron over long top edge 1/4'' sew. Fold again and sew to create finished edge.
g. In order to create Side B, attach pocket by lining it up with other outer rectangle, with folded pocket edge facing outer side. Pin and top stich using a 1/4" seam allowance on three sides of pocket. I reverse a few times at tops of pocket attachment to outer canvas.
h. With Side B, pocket side down layer on: one batting, one Peltex, one batting centering with inch border and Pin.
g. "Quilt" a few lines that will serve three purposes; First, to "Quilt" batting and Peltex in place, Second in order to create a decoration cohesive to the other side. this may create a need for marking or pinning if you want items lined up. I of course just eyeballed it (Gasp!) and Third, to create pockets, yes pockets. One giant pocket with no closure just allows things to fall out , but when divided it gets tighter and better job of keeping items in and not sliding around. Plan out pocket "quilting" based on what you would like to carry in your case. I thought a pen and charger.
f. Attach tab to Side B, by centering it and pining open/raw edge of tab to the middle of 9" of Side B opposite pocket. Using 1/4" making a few passes.
g. Along same side as newly attached tab of Side B pocket facing up and tab folded in, line up and pin flannel lining rectangle. Sew along tab egde (9"side) using a 1/2"seam allowance, so our 1/4" tab seam allowance is covered.
h. Fold out (see image below) and fold back you can press flannel  that is rolled under edge of canvas and tab is sticking up, then top stich this seam only, using a 1/2" seam allowance.
i. Fold Side B lining back over to sew bottom pocket edge. This will later ensure that lining will close up at bottom of case, a mistake I learned from creating the computer case. Flip right side out and press bottom edge.
j. Take Side A and line up other lining piece to outer side. Sew both 9"sides and then flip lining around (see image below). Press so lining dosen't show over canvas edge.
k. Top stich one 9'' side you deem as the top, using a 1/2" seam allowance.
l. Line up top stitched edges of Side A and Side B with canvas sides up flannel down and line up tab of Side B onto Side A for placement of Button. Pin where button holes should be.
m. Hand sew button onto canvas side of Side A and test button hole. This will be easier to fix now rather than later once sewn together, lesson learned.
n. Line up canvas sides together Side A and Side B and stitch using a 1/2" seam allowance along 2- 11" sides and bottom 9" side, you should be close to Peltex edge when joining the two sides and creating a large pocket with tab at top. I sew this seam twice and reverse at pocket top edge.
o. Trim two bottom corners and loose threads (see image below).
p. Flip case and poke out corners with pencil eraser end.

Tada! iPad case completed in 2 hours. So happy I got around to making this awesome case and tutorial. I know my directions aren't super precise and neither is my sewing. I am a learner and creator, which isn't always perfect. I hope you will add your own style and make it your own instead of making one just like mine.

Finished Side A, with flipped over Side B tab closure.

Finished Side B
Now back to deciding which project to work on for the new Baby!

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