Simple felt and fabric ipad cover: a tutorial

I love any opportunity to make something to snuggle something else within. And this ipad case is snuggly in extremis.

I hit on the idea (and it slapped me for being so presumptuous) the night before our trip to Far North Queensland last year. I’ve been using it ever since and it has held up like a trooper. I also love a pretty trooper.

Yet another thing I love is the ikat-inspired fabric.

Ikat, as I’m sure you know, is so hot right now. But did you know real ikat has been hot in Indonesia since the dawn o’ time? Did you also know we get the English word “amok” from Indonesian? As in “she saw swathes of authentic ikat  in Jakarta and very nearly ran amok”.

What you need:

• Two pieces 3mm (1/8″) thick wool felt. Each piece measures 27cm x 22cm (10 1/2 ” x 8 3/4″)
• 1 piece fabric measuring 25cm x 20cm (9 3/4″ x 7 3/4″) (if your fabric frays easily, you may wish to add an extra centimetre or 1/2 inch to the fabric measurements then hem your piece to end up with a rectangle 25cm x 20cm. We are going to stitch along the very edge of the fabric though so if it’s not too bad, just cut straight to size. You could also dab some Fray Stoppa or similar around the edges if you’re concerned.
• 1 piece sturdy ribbon or twill, 60cm (approx 23 1/2″) in length and at least 2.5cm (1″) in width.
• Elastic of a similar width to your ribbon. It needn’t be exact.

What to do:

1. Place your fabric in the middle of the sheet of felt that will be the front of your cover. Just eyeball it. Choose an overlocking-type stitch (or even just a tight zig-zag) on your machine and sew the fabric to the felt.

2. Now, leaving a seam allowance of approximately 1/2cm or 1/4″, sew your front cover to the back.

Case done!

3. Fold each end of your ribbon or twill in 2cm (3/4 “). Fold another 2cm (3/4”) so the messy ends are now effectively hidden and stitch around the square end you’ve created to make it really secure.

4. Sew your elastic to each end of the ribbon to create a loop. Make sure the elastic is slack as you sew it.

The last up-close photo shows you little bits of pilling on the felt and wear on the elastic. Bear in mind though, I have been using this baby non-stop for over 12 months and I take my ipad pretty much everywhere.

Slip your ipad in, slip the ribbon loop over to secure and sigh with contentment. Maybe stroke your pretty little trooper just a bit. Up to you.

As if you won’t.

And if I need tougher protection, I snuggle my snuggly case into this very fab protective case.

It was designed in Italy, made in China and I bought it in New Zealand. So it was well-travelled before I even met it. I love a well-travelled travel companion. This is the brand.

Let me know if you make one my loves.

Fabric tape removable wall decals: a sneak peek at my next tutorial

Right. So we have washi tape. Then we have magnets that have washi tape stuck to them and look like a bit of washi tape but are actually magnets.

And soon I will give you fabric “tape” that looks a bit like fabric washi tape but really looks more just like fabric tape and isn’t t actually tape in the traditionally sticky sense but is made of fabric. And is removable. And it won’t damage your wall or your photo or your print or paper of whatever.

I know, SHUT THE F…ront door, right?

Stay tuned and over this weekend all will be explained: ie my new method for pinning stuff to walls using these wondrous removable fabric tape decal thingies.

Repeating myself much?

Before I scamper, the winner of my giveaway was Shea: commentor no.9. I used the good ‘ole random number generator to pick my winner (because the kids were in the bath). Congratulations Shea and thanks to everyone who entered. I would like to send you all a visor and if I had lots and lots of time I would.

Paper napkin wallflower tutorial here.

Sunday sorting

Today I did lots of folding and sorting.  And not of the common or garden laundry variety I’m happy to report.

It was immensely satisfying.

And amidst the flurry of fabric folding you’d be forgiven for thinking I had forgotten to announce the winner of the Flood Relief raffle winner. Well, you’d be f-f-f-f-f-f-f almost right but not quite.

The mysterious and inscrutable Random Number Generator has declared that the lucky winner is Bec Clarke – who was the third to leave a comment.  Congratulations Bec! You should have already received an email from me? Do get in touch so we can work out exactly what you would like me to make for you and I can get further details to make a donation in your name.

A HUGE, ENORMOUS, GARGANTUAN thanks to all who donated and participated. I’m extremely grateful. xxx