one shabby chick

An iPod case (for your arm)

OK here's my tutorial for an iPod case that you wear on your arm - I sewed one up a couple years ago since I was in the store with my cheapo brother and was looking at arm band cases and my brother told me - just make one. So I did.

Here's the first one I made - I sewed it up super fast and used fold-over elastic...

The fold over elastic is too loose (not a tight enough elastic) and I was constantly pulling it back up my arm.

I decided a couple weeks ago to make a new one and figured I'd make a tutorial for all of you too.

* The measurements provided are for an iPod touch but you can alter them for any other type of iPod or MP3 player....

iPod Arm Band Case

Materials needed:

One piece of material that is 4.5" x 11" (for lining)

Scraps (or strips of fabric) that are at least 4.5" long

Batting - one piece that is 4.5" x 11"

Elastic - I used boxer elastic since it's a bit softer than the standard white elastic - just search on Ebay and you can find some.

Assembly:

Sew scraps/strips together until you have a piece that measures approx. 4.5" x 11".

Trim to 4.5" x 11".

Different color scheme:

To quilt your case, take your patchwork front and place it on top of your batting piece. (You can also choose to not quilt your front piece and leave it plain)

You can quilt it anyway you like - I just did 1/4" lines across the whole thing using my walking foot.

Now take your quilted piece and your lining and line them up right sides together.

If you want to add a closure to your case, get a piece of elastic (I used a ponytail holder) and pin it at the top of your case.

Pin along all edges, leaving a 2" opening in one side for turning.

Sew along all edges with a 1/4" seam allowance, remembering to leave 2" opening for turning.

(ignore the fact that I sewed over my pins!)

Trim edges to reduce bulk and trim corners, being careful not to cut into your stitches.

Trim away batting at opening - makes it easier to sew the seam shut.

Turn right sides out and iron. Push opening edges inside and iron so seam is flush - pin opening closed.

Fold case so that lining is right sides together, making sure to line up sides and top edges.

For your elastic measurement you will need to measure your arm's circumference. Take this measurement and divide it in half and then add 2.5".

* Example - your arm measures 15". Take 15 and divide by 2 = 7.5. Add 2.5" and your elastic measurement will be 10".

You can either use two skinnier pieces of elastic or one wider piece.

Cut your elastic piece(s).

Take your elastic piece and place one edge inside your folded case along one of the sides.

(I just eyeballed it and placed it in the center of my case - you can place it higher or lower to your liking).

Pin. Repeat on opposite side, looping elastic around the back of the case.

Pin extra elastic against back so it doesn't get caught as you sew up the sides.

Sew up both sides - I went over each side a couple times just to give it extra stability (I also stitched over the elastic section a few times more - just back and forth a couple times).

If you added an elastic closure, you can sew a button on to the front for your closure.

And you are done!

Slip that case on your arm and go for a walk/run.....or do what I do - sit down and start sewing!

Oh - and I started a Flikr group for my tutorials so if you make one (or an iPad cover), please add it to the Flikr group!

Organic and other things

Got some of Birch Fabric's new line in the mail today - I love those ukuleles!

And the selvedge is so cute too!

I got it from Fabricworm along with some of Robert Kaufman's new dots - they are so great!

My first Washi tape purchase - along with some lace and linen (thanks for the tip Amanda)

Sorry about the tutorial - I will get it up tomorrow...I didn't even sew this weekend! Had a girls' night out for a friend's birthday and then Hubby and I went on a date last night...

Sorry

HI guys - sorry! Didn't have time to make up the tutorial today...I'll try for this weekend some time!

But I finally got a smart phone (a Droid) so I may be playing with that :-)

UFOs

I have quite a few unfinished quilts and blocks.

A big stack are from my 3 rounds of the 3x6 Bee and I need to sew them up.

I have Bela's quilt, my Bee-autiful Bee quilt and the Dresden Plate quilt that I need to baste (and buy some more batting apparently just bought some online at Joann's).

A few more are just quilt tops that I've worked on "just because" - those might end up in the shop.

These were blocks I had with lots (and lots) of Munki and HR fabrics. I decided last night I wanted to try and do a quilt like Rossie's with random blocks and bright solids.

I have some blocks just like these for the other side and I have a lighter purple. I'm usually not a big purple fan but I thought the deep colors would look really pretty.

I think this may be one I won't totally love until it's quilted and bound...we'll see!

Oh and I made up some more camera straps - just need to add the little ends on.

Tutorial for the ipod case coming tomorrow!

* I'm off to the local pool - made a remark this morning about how we should go one day and apparently today is the day - they are all ready and we aren't even going for an hour or so!

A little lighter

I lost 4 lbs. last week - yeah! Walking every morning (about 5 miles) and on the right eating path - feels great.

And it's amazing - when you exercise some self-control in one area of your life, it's a bit easier to take control of other areas too (like our school schedule, reading my Bible...) - except for laundry - I'll never be able to control that!

Thanks again for the great response on the quilt auction. Tomorrow it will be on its way to Canada.

I got some fun mail today - saw these last week at Fabricworm and had to get some.

The only bummer is the selvedge says "For non-commercial use only". Guess that means they will be for gifts only.

I have to admit that bugs me a little - why would companies make fabric and then tell us how we can and can't use it?! I guess it's because it's a reproduction and there are probably licenses and stuff related to the originals...but still.

And I'm almost finished with my items for the Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap.

(back of table runner)

The potholders are done and I need to sew the binding on this table runner.

Hope my partner will like it!

Auction News

Well, it's still the 25th here but in Australia it's already the 26th and it's Australia Day so Happy Australia Day to everyone down under!

The winner of the quilt auction with a bid of $400.00 is Leanne! I sent you an email - Thank you so much for your generosity and to everyone who bid.

The raffles are still open until tomorrow so if anyone wants to help out you can head over and see Toni's master list here.

Australia Quilt Auction

I know there are lots of places around the world struggling right now with different disasters and I wish I could help them all.

But one step at a time I guess and Toni has organized a great way for us crafters to give a little to the people of Australia affected by all the flooding.

I have a few friends that live in Australia and lots of bloggy friends as well so it feels close to my heart.

I am auctioning off this quilt to help with the relief effort there.

Quilt is approx. 31" x 41" - I love this quilt...it's so bright and cheery.

Quilting is done in random lines all over - fabrics are a mix of Prints Charming (perfect since they are from Australia!), Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Heather Bailey - with a few other ones thrown in the mix too.

OK - the auction details:

1. Bidding will start at $25. 

2. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder. 

3. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.

4. This auction is open to everyone and I will pay for the postage - even internationally. 

5. The auction begins NOW and will END at 10:00pm on Monday 24th January 2011, Hawaii time.

6. At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address). The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email. Once proof of payment has been received, I will send your quilt to you.

7. Thanks for helping out!

Doilies

Before I show you the finished quilt, here's a picture of it all wrapped up:

Got the cutest doilies on Etsy and thought I'd sew one on the kraft paper as a cute decoration.

Finished up the binding this morning - I love these little quilts - binding them is pretty fast (relatively speaking, of course).

The back:

Worked on these today - selvedge/patchwork camera straps:

I am waiting on some hardware and then I'll attach the straps and list them in the shop - I have a few more colorways in mind too.

A hike

Went on a hike walk today at Kualoa Ranch - it was kind of a movie tour - we walked around the valley and saw so many movie sites (and lots of tiny calves!).

(I didn't take my camera but my mom took all these with her Droid)

Jurassic Park

Calves and their mommies - not a movie :-)...

Godzilla:

There were also sites from "50 First Dates", "You, Me and Dupree", "WindTalkers", "Mighty Joe Young" and of course..."Lost".

It was gorgeous...

and after we went and tried a new food - crepes. The kids were a little skeptical but they loved them (especially since I let them get dessert ones for lunch - lol!).

And Jenny guessed it - exactly!! I'll post the tutorial next week (and make Jenny her very own!).

Mind is full

My mind is full of ideas to work on...I should probably write them all down and then get to them one at a time - but isn't it more fun to have 2 million projects going on at the same time?!

I made up another tutorial - and have a few more in mind to do as well. I'll post it next week but here's a sneak peek...

can anyone guess what it is? (and be specific - there is a prize if anyone gets it right)

Need to finish quilting this one and have it bound before Saturday...

One of the ladies in our church (who is a long-arm quilter and has given us all quilt classes before) has started a new quilting class and we are a doing traditional Hawaiian wall quilt - all hand-quilted and needle-turned applique.

I wasn't going to go (it's free too - how could I pass that up!) but my friend talked me into it and I was so happy I went. We are meeting at her house which is just about 5 minutes away and there are about 8 of us....I can't wait to show you all the progress each week.

Here's my pattern and I'm basting it on right now. We will get started on applique next week.

oops - and I almost forgot to mention (sorry to toot my own horn so much these last couple of days!)....my very first treasury! Guess it does pay to actually put stuff in your Etsy shop :-)