iPad Cozy on Etsy (& how I decided to make my own bag)

[TraceyS/FL]

Repeat after me:

"the seam ripper is your friend"

HMPH. Apparently, in my haste to sew the sleeve up before taking my daughter to camp.... i layered the parts in the wrong order. Which was what i was having difficult wrapping my brain around last night.

I think it is clear now - the caffeine must have kicked in! LOL!!

*********

ETA:

I am very thankful that sleeve EXPERIMENT #1 was made out of scrap material we had laying around. Because, boy did i screw up trying to do this on my own!

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Another trip to joanns.

I have my samples for the other interfacing and found the liner fabric. I'm probably going to wait until my coupon is good on Sunday though to buy it. I did go ahead and buy the rotary cutter blade - should make cutting what i have easier!

I'm hoping to make some progress on my bag this weekend, but i'm not sure i'm up to attempting a sleeve again yet

 

[TraceyS/FL]

So the big coupon thing at joann's started today, so i have the rest of what i need to make my bag (or will by 9am). Well, minus the strap hooks that i want. I really really don't want to sew it on the bag. They don't have what i want though, so i'm pondering...

BUT, 2 new questions i have to ask myself.

1. Should i go ahead and narrow it an inch? I just can't decide - my daughter thinks that i'm going to have a hard time sewing it smaller. HMPH. This would leave the finished bag 2" deep.

2. I'm already adding an inch to the height of it, BUT, should i add another one so that i can fit the BT keyboard in there easily? I was going to end up with it 12". Hmmm, wait, that might work. I need to go out there and measure the kids and see where i will end up.

SOOOO, i need to sort these out before i start on it....

I did work out how i was going to do the inner padded area for the iPad. I bought some different batting today to try too, so i'm kinda thinking I will go play with that.

I made this the other night.....

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/08/how-to-make-your-own-laptop-sleeve.ars

Only notice they didn't put any padding - i think mine would fit if i took it out! LOL!! I can get it in with the Speck only about 3/4 of the way, it goes in tightly with it off. Either way, it's an inch too short.

Oops. Add more room for slop when you use batting in there.... Barbie might be getting another sleeping bag!

 

[IrishVixen]

As far as the BT keyboard goes, I believe the custom messenger bag I had made from an etsy vendor was 9"x12"x2" when all was said and done. I'll double check for you though. The keyboard fits perfectly in the larger main compartment, the iPad has its own narrow pocket to the rear. No padding on this one, just wool lined with canvas, so the iPad is in an M-Edge leather sleeve or the MacAlly case when I toss it in there. I'm thinking I'll make a sleeve for the keyboard anyway, since I usually have my folding stand in there as well, and I don't want them scratching each other.

And surely I can manage a simple sleeve, right? LOL

Edit: I was right, 9"x12"x2" was the final size ordered. Here's the link to her basic one for ideas:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50437131/unisex-stash-ipad-netbook-messenger-bag

She's got two slim pockets (no gussets) on the outside, and three more plus the ipad "pocket" on the inside. With this size, I can have both the ipad and keyboard in there, and even the Kindle if I so choose...though it starts to get heavy at that point. Typically, I'm carrying it with the ipad, keyboard, folding stand, iphone, and a cable or two. It makes a pretty decent carrying bag at this size.

I went with horizontal versus vertical orientation because I didn't want to end up either piling things on top of one another, or having the bag somewhat off balance with the difference in width between the keyboard held vertically and the iPad held the same way. But that's all a matter of preference. I do generally like vertical bags overall better than horizontal ones, especially when you start getting wider than about 10 inches.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I would like to check in and say... My teenager just told me I was nuts as she stole the apple stickers i was using for a template.

Hmph.

Back to being nuts, hopefully i will have something worth showing a picture of tomorrow! I made a paper size tester at lunch today, she told me i was nuts then too! LOL!

 

[nixiemaiden]

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/08/how-to-make-your-own-laptop-sleeve.ars

I am going to attempt this over the weekend just for fun and if it doesn't go too horribly I might get a sewing machine. I want to sew other stuff too.

I got my bag and it is almost perfect. The leather is really nice but the lining is total crap. It looks fantastic though. The only thing that sucks is right now it fits my work laptop (15" screen) and iPad perfectly with everything else I need. And now I am told that I am getting "upgraded" to one with a 17 inch screen...yea that won't fit. My laptop is a pos and crashes all the time but I think I prefer that so I can carry my sexy bag lol.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

OK..... here is the picture. I'm going to bed and hope to recover my brain while i sleep!

In "quilting" the pocket for the bag.... i decided to um, embellish it a bit. Which involved another trip to Joann's for a disappearing ink pen. The lady that checked me out said, "I thought you told me yesterday you weren't coming back for WEEKS."

HMPH.

 

[IrishVixen]

OK..... here is the picture. I'm going to bed and hope to recover my brain while i sleep!

In "quilting" the pocket for the bag.... i decided to um, embellish it a bit. Which involved another trip to Joann's for a disappearing ink pen. The lady that checked me out said, "I thought you told me yesterday you weren't coming back for WEEKS."

HMPH.

LOL! I'd be looking for another cashier to check you out from now on!

What a cute idea with the Apple though. Can't wait to see how it turns out. What did you decide on dimensions? And did you find the hardware you wanted yet?

 

[TraceyS/FL]

She was laughing at/with me though! She cut my fabric for me yesterday.

Of course, it was the second trip of the day!

Nope, haven't found the hardware. If I can't find what I want locally I'm going to go with plan C. I need to go to michaels I think, but ours isn't open yet.

Dimension wise I stuck with my original plan of 11" tall. I think. I haven't cut any of that yet. I do think I'm going to narrow it an inch though, i'll know more in the morning when I can stand to look at the apple thing wrapped around my iPad!

Nixiemaiden - I'm not sure I'd attempt that buy hand! My finger tips couldn't take all the poking I should throw you my machine so I won't keep at these hair brained ideas I keep coming up with!

Ok, night all, tomorrow is the crazy day for me. I hate Tuesdays!

 

[nixiemaiden]

You have all kinds of fancy sewing tools! I don't even have a needle and thread lol!! Oh boy this is going to be fun. Ok so I don't really have any Joann's near near me. The closest one is 30 minutes away and doesn't have any classes. There is one that is like an hour away from me that does offer classes but it doesn't say how much they cost! It is only giving prices for the cricut classes...are they expensive? I don't want to call because that would be too easy but I don't want to drive down there if it is ridiculous.

There is a Michael's near me but I don't think they sell fabric. I think wal-mart MIGHT sell fabric but for just testing out I'm sure wal-marts clearance fabric would be fine. They might have a cheap beginners sewing machine too. I don't want to spend a lot because I don't really need anything fancy.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Did i tell you to go to iBookstore and download the sample of the sewing book? you get the part on tools though, so that might help sort it out.

I don't think i have the price list for my store or I'd check for you. The store by y ou might have someone they recommend for lessons too.

One thing too is don't discount checking at a quilt/sewing machine store. I almost bought ours there for the same price as the one at walmart, but it would have come with free help forever and a few lessons even. They sell used ones too, so there might be a bargain to be had that someone traded in.

I ended up not going with it only because the kids wanted some fancy stitch, and i wanted to spend the $100 gift card I had at Wal mart.

Go sign up online for the joann's flyers though, they send you coupons! Right now is the coupon commotion sale, so there are 40% off coupons up the wazoo. They normally can't be used on machines though, but it is great for fabric and other stuff.

And yes, the cheap walmart fabric will be a good start. That first bag I made was with fabric I got at WM. We have only had a joann's for about a year now.

One thing is, most ladies that sew are pretty helpful!! So don't be afraid to ask for help in the store, LOL!

It just got loud in here....

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I am really really torn on the depth thing.

I keep staring at the squares on my cutting mat.... i put the "pocket" part in my daughters bag.

Nothing is helping. I think i'm afraid to make it 2". I keep thinking that I will regret it - but yet my whole point was going for something "slim" and not something i can pile a bunch of stuff in. Putting it in her 3" bag didn't help because the sides are so flimsy on it you can't tell squat.

I guess the good news is, I can't move onto that step until after dinner, SO, i have a few more hours to think about it!

 

[IrishVixen]

Tracey--got some cardboard lying around? A box? Cut it to the final planned dimensions of your bag, tape it back together in a box shape so you now have a box the size of your bag. Start filling. You find what suits your needs pretty quickly that way.

I lucked out in that I had a 9x12x2 box at the time I was pondering the same thing, and I was able to use it to work out whether or not that size would work best for me. Sometimes, our imaginations aren't enough, and we need an approximation of the real thing to help us figure out what's going to work!

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Tracey--got some cardboard lying around? A box? Cut it to the final planned dimensions of your bag, tape it back together in a box shape so you now have a box the size of your bag. Start filling. You find what suits your needs pretty quickly that way.

I lucked out in that I had a 9x12x2 box at the time I was pondering the same thing, and I was able to use it to work out whether or not that size would work best for me. Sometimes, our imaginations aren't enough, and we need an approximation of the real thing to help us figure out what's going to work!

Bwahahahaha!

I started building one out of paper yesterday, which is how i got the plans for the pocket worked out. I could finish it later.

The problem is i have no clue what i'll put in it - it's not like a carry a purse now! Most of the time it is my DL & debit card in my pocket. I don't really have a wallet.... so therein lies my problem, trying to figure out what i MIGHT want to carry in it. UGH....

OK, i'll finish the paper one and see what I think. I'm sure the teen will laugh at me more!

I think i'm going to work on an idea for a pocket thing on the inside. I'm trying to not go back to joann's/walmart this week, but darn it, i need some elastic! LOL!

ETA: oh lord i hate when i go off on a tangent like this. OK, I think i'm going with 3 inches just because. But i'll see tonight when i work out my pocket/tangent!

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Size update.

I went with the 13" tall, which will turn out to be 12" with the seam allowance. It was a spur of the moment decision this morning.

I'm pretty sure i'm going with the 3" deep option, mainly because i keep looking at my power brick and thinking that if i put that in the 1" area then I'd be hard pressed to put anything else in there with it.

I did realize I had a problem and really do need some of the lighter weight interfacing I'm out of for the pockets on the outside. I'm going to finagle and see what have to make it work because I'm pretty sure i can't go buy more until late next week

But the liner is almost ready to put together. Well,the pocket area - the other 3 pieces are waiting on it! Im happy with the interior pockets i made last night though!!!

Ok, back to work before i have to go pick the kid up at camp.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

OK, liner is 99.9% put together - i couldn't get all the way in the corner with the machine in one spot, so i must wait for the kid to get home and hand sew it (never fear, it is just like 1/2" until i get to that big hole i had to leave to turn the thing right side out).

I have officially drawn blood today. Twice. I think in the same spot on the end of my thumb even. HMPH.

Here are some pictures of the liner as it sits. I'm done sewing tonight and probably until friday. I have to cut the outside pieces and sort out that strap thing. Those parts should all be easier than what i just finished. I hope.

I had rejected plan a on the pocket - i'd go with plan a the next time. Basically dividing the bottom into sections and just making it that way instead of what i did. I can explain that better at some other point if someone cares! LOL!!

It's kind of hard to take pictures of right now because the gap is under the interior pockets and so it wants to split open there and collapse.

All in all, it's about what i expected and thankfully you won't see my screw ups on the inside!

 

[IrishVixen]

I'm impressed with those pockets! No way I'd have the patience to deal with making those, and they look very well done! I'm of the opinion you can never have too many pockets in any bag a woman carries; there's always little bits of stuff that are best sorted out of the main compartment.

Looks like you're making good progress, can't wait to see the end result.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I'm impressed with those pockets! No way I'd have the patience to deal with making those, and they look very well done! I'm of the opinion you can never have too many pockets in any bag a woman carries; there's always little bits of stuff that are best sorted out of the main compartment.

Looks like you're making good progress, can't wait to see the end result.

And my sewing project on the table has now become "evidence" in my divorce, pictures and all.... what a lovely morning it has been around here.

Not sure when i will be able to get it done, not sure when i get anymore time to myself to work on it.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Apparently i am supposed to have the house to myself most of the day today - which means i can do as i choose and listen to what i want to! LOL!!

As soon as they actually leave the house i'm going to make another mess on the dining room table and cut the rest of my fabric and see what interfacing i need. I should be able to go get it with the change i have laying around and the 40% off coupon.

I still haven't sorted out exactly how i want to do the strap. Well, i know what i want and can't find the hardware locally, so i need to sort out "Plan B". There is a big (it appears anyway) bead shop up the road - i keep wondering if they might have the type of hardware i was looking for.... but i haven't been able to stop there with my kids in tow. Because, well, the 14 would be bead obsessed!

I'll be in Gainesville on Monday and they have a Michaels, so i might just hang loose and see what i find there.

Dunno, but I should have more pictures of SOMETHING to share by tonight!

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Plan B in effect for the strap - i bought D rings with my 40% off coupon and some change i had.

However, i just TRASHED the rotary cutter blade... the kids had misplaced my plastic quilt guide cutter thing to use on the edge of my mat... so i've been using my Basic Grey cutting mat and magnetic ruler. I slipped and the blade rolled down the ruler.... it cuts no more.

I tried to use a sharpener i have here to no avail

I'm not sure i'm up to cutting them all out with scissors..... i can cut 2 at the same time with the rotary and so it is fast AND they end up the same.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

OK, i used the scissors to but the pieces... and as of now, i'm DONE except the strap!!!

One screwup that might end up driving me crazy - the flap is on upside down. I wanted the batting on the outside and the stiff interfacing on the inside - well, that didn't work out because i was talking to the kids as I was putting it in and did it the wrong way.

I'm hoping the strap makes it so that you can't see the light inside as much as you can right now. I didn't end up using the ULTRA stiff interfacing on the sides and i'm happy - but they are a bit floppier still that i would like. I'm pretty sure if i have used the other stuff i would NOT have been able to turn it rightside out. As it was, wowza, that was so NOT easy.

But i'm happy with it - but will probably NEVER attempt one again with the padded pocket sewn in like this. Back to Plan A on that - make the padded sleeve and velcro it in on the back wall. All that padding is just too hard to work with on my machine.

I have to ponder the strap some more and hopefully will have an epiphany tonight on how to finish it up!

 

[TraceyS/FL]

2 more pics. The color is off on them, i toned down the red of the throw (because, it was better than the lime green flamingo sheet option ) but did it a bit much i think. Oh well.... good enough for now!

 

[IrishVixen]

Neat! Have you tried putting everything in there? Satisfied with the size?

 

[nixiemaiden]

It looks awesome! That's it I'm buying a sewing machine. Maybe it will be a hobby I can stick too.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Neat! Have you tried putting everything in there? Satisfied with the size?

Nope! I literally turned it right side out, turned off the sewing machine, came back here and took the pics and quit for the night! Lol!

I don't really have much to try in there though..... And i'm happy I didn't cut it an inch.

I'll try more in the morning in it though. I have to work on the seams, I wish I'd been able to find the pinking shears to trim some of them more. I was worried about making a big mess trimming much with the stiffer interfacing too.

I will dig up stuff to load it with tomorrow though!