Tina Purse Sew-a-Long Schedule

I hope you will join me for the Tina Purse Sew-a-Long beginning Thursday April 3rd!

If you have already purchased your pattern, but haven't gotten started, here is your incentive to get it stitched up.  If not, get your pattern and join us on Thursday 4/3 to sew together.  The Sew-a-Long will be an interactive opportunity to make the Tina Purse and have a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and get extra tips beyond the pattern instructions.  I won't be republishing the instructions, but hope to give you additional tips and techniques to sew your purse.

I will be demonstrating View C, but you can make any version and still sew a long with the group.

Here is the planned schedule:

Thursday April ^3rd :  Fabric and interfacing selection notes – buy fabric and supplies on the weekend!

Monday April 7^th:   Assemble pattern pieces, cut out and fuse interfacing.

Tuesday April 8^th:  Sew decorative rings, outer purse body and straps (if you are making your own)

Wednesday April 9^th:  Attach handles, create zipper and place into the lining.

Thursday April 10^th:   Complete assembling the lining and finish the purse.

If you aren't a follower, sign up to follow this blog for quick links and reminders for each day's Sew-a-long.

All about Gaila Designs Patterns

Everything you ever wanted to know...but were afraid to ask is now answered on Chris W Designs' Blog in a wonderful interview.  Lots of photos and information, I hope you'll take a look!

New Fabrics by Gaila Designs

I am excited to be creating fabric!  My first offering is a Citrus theme, primarily because it was appropriate for an upcoming contest at Spoonflower.com who prints the yardage on demand.  These are the first fabrics:

 Then I ordered swatches to see the print on cotton fabric, crisp and clear printout!  I left my hand in the photo to see the scale of the prints.  The colors are a bit brighter than they appear in this photo.

What can you make with these fabrics?  How about a baby's room:

What would you sew with fun citrus prints?!?  Find these 'first fruits' of my designs at http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/gailadesigns

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!