I don't think I've posted this already....forgive me if I have. I've thought about posting it a lot. I searched through my posts to see if I had posted it, and I couldn't find it. But it feels like I've done it already. I'm getting old!
Before we left on our trip earlier this summer, I wanted to sew up a little purse for my iPad so I could carry it around at the conference and use it for notetaking. It would save me from hauling around a pad of paper, etc. But I also need to carry my room key, a credit card (I never carry cash), and some other odds and ends (mints, etc.). Well, most iPad cover patterns out there are just that...covers. I wanted something that also functioned as a purse.
Fortunately for me, Julie (of the Intrepid Thread blog and etsy shop), one of The Quilted Fish design team members wanted the same thing and developed a really awesome tutorial for it. It was posted on Riley Blake's "Cutting Corners" blog. So, I went and grabbed it.
Here's the link to the free tutorial if you want it. Great tutorial!
It all started when I saw some great fabric on Julie's Intrepid Thread etsy shop. Had to have it. Ordered it, and this little package came in the mail. So cute how she wraps it like a present.
This was the fabric that started it all. Loved it. Love the colors, love the design. Joel Dewberry. So, I ordered a yard or so.
And Julie is so sweet, she sent me a piece of this, too. OMG. I loved this, too. Also, Joel Dewberry. So, I was thinking, "Oh, yeah, totally have to use that in the purse, too." (In fact, I ordered more of it from her!)
I needed several fabrics for the purse, so I went to my stash and pulled these. The green is some of that neat hand-dyed cotton/silk fabric that my friend, Jackie dyed for me. I thought having that little bit of bling in the purse would be pretty cool.
Here is my finished bag. I think it turned out so cute. I really love it. I brought it to one of my meetings at the conference, and pulled my iPad out of it. My department chair was sitting next to me, and he said, "That's a cool bag! Is that a Vera Bradley?" I about fell out of my chair! I told him no and that I had made it. He was duly impressed. (His wife is a knitter, so I'm crediting her for him knowing who Vera Bradley is!)
Here is a more close up shot. You can see that the flap is quilted in a diamond pattern. I really like how the silk looks on here. I asked Jackie if she'd dye some more fabric for me. Wouldn't this be pretty with some lavender or blue silk? I have enough to make some more bags. So, Kristin and Krista, if you're reading this, let me know if you like it. Think...Christmas present! (The clip hardware was a little hard for me to find here. Couldn't find exactly what I wanted. But I found some in the fashion district in LA when I was on my trip. So, I did pick up enough to make several more bags...you know, just in case.)
You can also see the handle can clip off, in case you want to remove the shoulder strap.
Here it is open. It has a magnetic snap closure. Where the green fabric ends is where the slot is for the iPad. Where the circle fabric ends (at the top of it) is a pocket. Inside that pocket are a couple more pockets for storing credit cards, etc. Nice. It's a pleated pocket, so it does give you some space.
You can see I didn't really control for where the circles fell on my pouch. I just let it be serendipitous. I like how it turned out. Not too contrived.
My iPad fits in there really nicely without the cover on. Slides right in with no problem.
It also fits well with the cover on, but it's just a little snug. You'll see why in a minute.
I lined my bag with fleece. Julie had used flannel. I didn't have any matching flannel in my stash, but I had this green fleece, which was close enough for me. I thought that would give a really nice, cushy fit. It did, but it's more bulky. I think if you did it with flannel, it would not be snug at all in there. I also found the fleece made it a little harder to sew everything closed, and it made the pocket opening in front of it more snug. The next one I make will have a flannel lining instead. I think that might be better. If I did it with fleece again, I would make the pieces just a skosh wider...maybe 1/2 inch...to accommodate the extra bulk.
Here, you can kind of see the pocket. That's the best shot I could get of it. But it's pretty functional. I told Julie it was a little tight at the top, but again, I think that might be due to the fleece I used instead of flannel. Julie said she wanted it to be a little tight, so that her purse stuff wouldn't fall out of it easily. Makes sense. You can see the little pleat on the top there (look at both edges). The deeper part of the pocket is bigger once you put your hand inside.
Here's how it looks on me. (Hey, that was about 15 pounds ago. I'm happy to report I look much better than that now!)
I asked my mom if she'd like one for Christmas for her iPad. She said yes and that she really liked it. But she is not crazy abotu these fabrics. They are not her.
Remember these fabrics I bought at Gruber's a few weeks ago? I bought them thinking they would make a great iPad purse for my mom. Wow, I didn't realize it until now, but that black fabric really has a similar design to my purple fabric, doesn't it? Mom, if you're reading this, let me know if these fabrics are more to your liking. If not, that's cool. I would love to have these in my stash!
I totally love it. It is functional and beautiful. Thank you for this free tutorial, Julie, and for the awesome fabric!
The tutorial is extremely well written and easy to follow. Julie has photos all along the way to show you how to do each step. Even installing the clips and D-rings was easy, because of her clear directions. Highly recommended pattern and not too difficult...especially considering the great looking result. Well done, Julie!
Until next time,
Mama Pea
P.S. This has been a frustrating post to write. I had internet problems at home again. We have satellite internet and whenever it's cloudy, I can't load a web page. So frustrating when I couldn't load a web page all weekend either. ARGH! I am actually sitting in Barnes and Noble writing this! I might FINALLY have another option. A new service coming in our area. I talked to an agent there who gave me some information and his direct extension so I could call him back. I have tried twice now and left him messages. No return call. So, now I'm concerned about customre service that I'll get with them. Crap. Why does this have to be so hard in this day and age??? Okay, I'm done whining now.
Wow Stephanie that is perfect - love the fabrics you chose! I hope you get your internet straightened out, that would frustrate me too...
Posted by: Allie | July 27, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Beautiful job! I love the fabrics!
Posted by: Myra | July 27, 2011 at 09:27 PM
So much prettier than Vera Bradley!!!! Love the purse idea instead of just a cover. Great idea!
Posted by: Rene' | July 27, 2011 at 10:15 PM
So you really meant to say, 'so Krista, Kristen and Jackie, tell me if you like it?' Right??? and yes I love it. LOL
Posted by: Jackie | July 27, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Oh my! This bag is just lovely!! I can see why he thought it was Vera Bradley (LOL!). Wish I had an iPad to put in one. However, I do have a new, expensive toy on the way :o) I won't be making a bag for it though, but maybe a cover. By the way, I talked with HQ this morning and it ships tomorrow.
Posted by: Lynn | July 28, 2011 at 11:34 AM
No no no...she meant to include Kristin...hee hee..Really beautiful Stephanie. (Can't wait til Christmas.)
Your birthday is next week!! Something in the marketing arts is on it's way to you ;-)
Posted by: Aunt Pea | July 28, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Love this bag! Now that I just got an iPad for a very early b'day gift, I'll have to make me one of these. I also love the inclusion of the strip of silk- really sets the other fabrics off. Thanks for posting this!
Posted by: Sequoia | July 28, 2011 at 01:53 PM