Zipless iPad cover, The Grace Clutch

 

Had a thought to make a pattern for the zipperphobic!  Even though my zippered patterns are super easy to construct, sometimes you just want to sew zipper free, or maybe you have some spare fabric, an urge to make something RIGHT NOW and you don't have a zipper in your sewing kit.

 This clutch style has a couple of flap variations included in the pattern.  This is the scalloped version, easier to see here:

 Working with batting and interfacing, I came up with a technique to make this bag hold its shape nicely, while padding your device to keep it safe and snug in your purse or briefcase.  The clutch ads  minimum bulk with maximum style.  The pattern includes hidden rings to attach a shoulder strap if desired.  I love removable straps, if I am tucking my tablet into another carrier, I don't want that strap getting tangled up with my purse contents.

Close with a snap, velcro or ribbon tie.

 Looking for a more modern, tailored look?  Use the envelope flap style.  This version sports a decorative button.

 

All variations featured here are included in the pattern.  Immediate pdf download available!

 Gaila Designs' Craftsy Shop                                      Gaila Designs' Etsy Shop

iPad Mini, Kindle Fire HD and other 7" tablet cover PDF Sewing Pattern

The new iPad Mini is here!  In anticipation of this new Apple device, I have designed a pattern to fit the iPad Mini to a T.  This style is my best-selling design for the 10" iPad resized for your Mini.  The zipper installation is super easy, the case is padded and fully lined with no hand sewing required to make a case for you or as a special Christmas gift for a friend.  You can find this pattern available for immediate download on Craftsy or on Etsy. 
Want a different look?  Browse my shops for several other styles that will fit iPad Mini and other new 7" tablet devices like the Kindle Fire HD, Nook HD, Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.

 




 This cute cover with shoulder strap and offset zipper keeps your hands free and device secure!   Get the pattern on Craftsy or on Etsy








This perfect square pattern gives you an extra zippered pocket and a great shape from any angle.  Find this design on Craftsy or on Etsy.



Free iPad Stand Sewing Pattern!

Click on the photo to download the PDF Sewing Pattern immediately! 

 

You will be the talk of the coffee shop with this cute stand for your iPad or tablet!  You can use this stand for your Kindle, Nook or other brand eReaders, its just a little wider than the reader in size.  Either way, your hands are free while your device is held at the perfect viewing angle.  Peel open the velcro and your stand folds flat to slip into your carrying case.

Of course, you will want to make a matching case.  I have 4 different iPad/Tablet case designs that this stand will fit neatly into.  (the Top-Zip iPad case for an uncovered device may not have enough room as it is designed to fit snugly)

The FREE pattern is available for immediate download in my Craftsy Store.  If you have always wanted to sample a Gaila Designs Pattern, here is your opportunity!  Thank you for giving it a try.

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/free-ipad-stand-sewing-pattern/32508

Makes a great gift, super easy and fast to make.  Your friends will love that you made it just for them!

Happy Stitching.

Kindle, Nook, eReader case upcycled from Jeans!

When I am shopping and see all the embellished pockets on jeans, I was inspired to use those fancy pockets on my eDevice covers.  All that pretty work, already done for you and in pocket form...Perfect! 

Since I didn't have any candidates in my closet, I headed to my local thrift shop and found some cute jeans to play with. 

The Kindle, Nook, eReader size pattern fit nicely on the rear of the pants I selected.  Be sure to take your pattern piece with you when shopping, there is a great variation in pocket placement among different styles.  Some pockets are placed all the way up and onto a heavy seam...no room to add a zipper!

I selected a cute pink print for the lining and cut out all the pieces needed to make the case.  I put the pattern as high on the plain fabric as possible, right below the heavy horizontal seam on the back yolk.

From here, simply follow the directions in my pattern to make the eReader cover.  Here is the finished cover, reader inserted (and protected, the case is fully padded) and a pre-made pocket.  It took me longer to cut it out than it did to stitch it up! 

If you have struggled with zippers, don't worry, this pattern makes it so easy you can't go wrong!

Check out my Craftsy store for this and other pattern variations for eReaders, iPads and Laptops!
http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/22990

Here is the cute pink lining! 
Added a scrap of blue ribbon to accent the zipper pull



The finished cover, so fun!

Coupons for iPad Offline

Okay, I don't have a smart phone or data coverage for my iPad and it drives me crazy to see others getting coupons that are only for smartphones!

Not to be daunted, I've discovered some workarounds.  If you do have a smartphone, you might still find a couple of tips here that are valuable.

Joanne's Smartphone Coupons

On my desktop, I was able to pull up the Joanne's coupon for mobile.  Did a google search for Joanne's coupons and went to a blogsite http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/2005/12/jo-ann-coupons.html and clicked on Mobile Coupons.  I had to enter my cell phone number, but it gave me a 50% off coupon.  There is no discount coupon available in other Joanne ads this week, so this is a valuable coupon!  I was able to print the coupon at home.  There isn't anything on the coupon saying mobile only, so I'm assuming it will be accepted in the store.  I have also found that Hancock Fabrics will take competitor coupons, but ONLY in print, not on a smart device so I can use it at Hancock or Michaels for that matter.

Can I get the coupon on my iPad?  Yes, and here's how!  I opened the coupon on my browser (in my case Explorer), then by clicking on the down arrow by 'Page' I can email the coupon to myself.  I then opened the email on the iPad and took a screenshot of the coupon, saving it to the camera roll on the iPad, so now I can show the coupon on my iPad in the store.  How green can you be!

How to Take a Screenshot on iPad

If you haven't learned this valuable trick on your iPad, read on!  Anything you are viewing on your iPad can be stored as a .jpg in your camera roll.  It will take a 'picture' of exactly what is displayed on the screen, coupon from a webpage, info in an email, etc.  You can zoom in, move the image around, get it arranged however you want and then, at the same time, push the round button on the face of the iPad (bottom center) and the power button (top right) for just a sec and you'll hear a camera shutter sound and voila, you have captured the image on your screen.  Open your camera roll and at the end of the photo collection you will see your screenshot.

I'm off to save some money at the Fabric store, hope I can help you save too!

Happy Stitching!

New fabric bonding agent

Reading my Facebook page today and saw a post for this new product:

I use many permanent bonding agents in design and am always pleased to see a new one!  Haven't personally tried this one, but have had good results from other Aleene's products.  It says it is washable.  Drycleanable too????  Don't know.

Not for use on stretchy synthetic fabrics it says, wondering if that is stretchy and synthetic or if they mean also synthetic fabrics that are non-stretchy.  Will have to give it a try and see how it works!  Have used 3M permanent bonding tape, will need to compare this with their product.  One great advantage, this product comes in small sheets as well.

Have you tried this product?  What did you think?

Happy Stitching (though not with this one!).

Coupons, Discounts and Sale! Fleece fitted sheet~link to tutorial

Joanne Fabrics has all thread on sale this week 50% off.  No coupon needed, no limit, all brands.  Go stock up now!!!

Of note:  If you were not aware, Joanne Fabrics and Michaels Crafts take each other's coupons!  Both have coupons in the Sunday paper and the same (and sometimes more) offers online.  'Like' their FB page and/or sign up for email alerts for reminders!

Fleece Fitted Sheet

I wanted to share a link I found with instructions on how to make a fitted sheet from Fleece.  Perfect timing with Fall weather upon us (or close) depending on where you live!

haddygracedesigns.blogspot.com
Simple, easy to follow instructions on this blog for twin, full or queen sized fitted sheet.

Happy Stitching!