This past Christmas I received an iPad Mini. Like most people, I absolutely love it. Since then, I have been on the hunt for the perfect case. Even though I do like a lot of the cases I have found, I am not a big fan of holding the flap of a case back when I use the iPad for reading. I also don't like the idea of having to move the flap of the case when I am about to take pictures. Since I don't plan on travelling much with it, I really just wanted something to store it and protect it in my purse or bag.
I never make anything for myself. Most things I make are either sold or given away. The other day while wrapping my iPad in a project I was working on and stuffing it into my purse, my Husband suggested that I make my own case. It had crossed my mind to do it myself, but never gave myself "permission" to make something just for me!
One of the reasons I don't make things for myself, is that I can't make up my mind. I fall in love too many fabrics and designs. The thought of making something myself makes everything seem so final. Which is ridiculous! In reality, I can make anything, anytime I want. So I decided that once I saw a beautiful fabric I immediately loved, I would make a case.
Now, I'm always reluctant to actually use beautiful things. What if I "waste" it? What if I mess up? What if I need it for a project in the future? (Isn't that how hoarding starts?! ) This time, I decided to use whichever fabric I loved despite my reservations. So what if I need it for a project down the road? There will always be more fabric I love, even if it's not these specific patterns and colours. There is no point in keeping something beautiful packed away for "someday"!
Luck would have it that I was in the fabulous Hyggeligt Fabrics store this past Saturday for our London Modern Quilt Guild Meeting. I came across a gorgeous Amy Butler fat quarter bundle. Within the bundle were two fabrics that I immediately fell in love with. Both from the Lotus Collection, Full Moon Polka Dot in Cherry and Morning Glory in Linen.
These were mine! I was going to use them for me!
I never make anything for myself. Most things I make are either sold or given away. The other day while wrapping my iPad in a project I was working on and stuffing it into my purse, my Husband suggested that I make my own case. It had crossed my mind to do it myself, but never gave myself "permission" to make something just for me!
One of the reasons I don't make things for myself, is that I can't make up my mind. I fall in love too many fabrics and designs. The thought of making something myself makes everything seem so final. Which is ridiculous! In reality, I can make anything, anytime I want. So I decided that once I saw a beautiful fabric I immediately loved, I would make a case.
Now, I'm always reluctant to actually use beautiful things. What if I "waste" it? What if I mess up? What if I need it for a project in the future? (Isn't that how hoarding starts?! ) This time, I decided to use whichever fabric I loved despite my reservations. So what if I need it for a project down the road? There will always be more fabric I love, even if it's not these specific patterns and colours. There is no point in keeping something beautiful packed away for "someday"!
Luck would have it that I was in the fabulous Hyggeligt Fabrics store this past Saturday for our London Modern Quilt Guild Meeting. I came across a gorgeous Amy Butler fat quarter bundle. Within the bundle were two fabrics that I immediately fell in love with. Both from the Lotus Collection, Full Moon Polka Dot in Cherry and Morning Glory in Linen.
These were mine! I was going to use them for me!
Amy Butler's Full Moon Polka Dot in Cherry
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Amy Butler's Morning Glory in Linen.
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I had found a free tutorial I liked on Fresh Lemons website. It had a zippered pouch that would be great for holding the charging cords and it had a quick closure. (If you would like to see the tutorial for the original case, click here.)
There were a couple of things I wanted to switch up and a couple of things I, unfortunatley, had to change.
The original tutorial is for a full size iPad. So I had to calculate the size to suit the iPad Mini. (My finished size of my case was 6" wide x 8 1/2" long.) I wanted the exterior of the case to be quilted. So rather than cut the pieces of fabric and assemble the case, I quilted them the pieces before assembling. I also wanted the flap to be the full width of the case and I wanted the back to have two fabrics like the front.
After some calculations, modifications, and a little bit of seam ripping, here is the result. I am so happy with the final product! My calculations were surprisingly (or accidentally?!) exact. The iPad Mini fits nice and snug. AND I am happy to report that there is a bit of fabric for me to save for "someday"! Maybe I should make things for myself more often?
There were a couple of things I wanted to switch up and a couple of things I, unfortunatley, had to change.
The original tutorial is for a full size iPad. So I had to calculate the size to suit the iPad Mini. (My finished size of my case was 6" wide x 8 1/2" long.) I wanted the exterior of the case to be quilted. So rather than cut the pieces of fabric and assemble the case, I quilted them the pieces before assembling. I also wanted the flap to be the full width of the case and I wanted the back to have two fabrics like the front.
After some calculations, modifications, and a little bit of seam ripping, here is the result. I am so happy with the final product! My calculations were surprisingly (or accidentally?!) exact. The iPad Mini fits nice and snug. AND I am happy to report that there is a bit of fabric for me to save for "someday"! Maybe I should make things for myself more often?
A little bit of fussy cutting helped centre the large flower on the front.
Hook and loop closure (aka Velcro)
Amy Butler's Full Moon Polka Dot in Slate was used for the interior lining. A cherry solid was used for the pocket lining.
Back of the case.
Back of case with the flap open.
Quilting close-up. I used a diagonal quilting with an accent of cross hatch.
