Eli Laptop Case

The latest pattern from Linds Handmade Designs is the Eli Laptop Case, and I once again tested for her. The pattern is for a zip-around case, and it can be adjusted to fit nearly any laptop or even a smaller device. Since I don‘t have a laptop myself, I made a case for my iPad.

Below what it looks like inside. It has corner anchors to help hold it in place. If making it for a laptop, it would also have elastic at the other corners.

I made the spine from a scrap of cork fabric. The pattern calls for webbing for the handle, but since I didn’t have any the right size on hand, I used cork scraps there, too. Getting down to the last few inches of my cork, I had to splice the handle, as you can see.

Using cork there made it too thick to turn under the ends, so I just did one layer and edge painted the raw edges. I also repositioned the handle a little, due to the smaller size of the iPad.

The fabric I used for the exterior is waterproof canvas, and the lining is a chambray(?) fabric scrap left from another project. The case is padded with fusible foam.

You can use measurements with a ruler and rotary cutter for your pieces, or if you’re not into doing the math calculations, there are pattern pieces and a brilliant way to get them the perfect size without having to do math at all! 

The pattern is at a discount price through tonight (12-5-21), so if you’re interested, grab it now. You can find the pattern here.

This is probably it from me until next year, so here’s wishing you all a wonderful Christmas! ❤️

Stephie Shoulder Bag

Linds Handmade Designs has been at it again! I just tested another terrific new pattern, the Stephie Shoulder Bag. Here's my version, made from one of Jess's (aka How About Orange) barkcloth designs for the outer main fabric, faux leather strap and accents, and waterproof canvas for the lining.

The back has slip pocket perfectly sized for your phone. (If you've followed me long, you know I love a good fussy cut!)

I love the fancy boxed corners. They're easier to make than they look!

The top closes with a recessed zipper to keep your things secure.

There's a zipper pocket inside, trimmed with the faux leather. The installation is pretty unique, too... and easy! 

There's also a divided slip pocket on the other side of the interior.

It's a good-sized bag! Here's a selfie of me with it. You can fit a LOT of stuff in there!

It was easy to make - my old vintage Kenmore sewed through it like a breeze, and I think any domestic machine would also. I enjoyed the process. The tassel was a new experience for me - very easy and rather fun. All in all, it's a great pattern that makes a very useful bag, and you can get it (as well as everything else in the Linds Handmade shop) at a discount price through this Sunday, October 10th.

Charlie Convertible Backpack

Didja notice? It hasn't even been two weeks since I posted last. Woohoo! Haha.

I'm happy to report that I tested another bag for Erin Gilbey of Dog Under My Desk. It's a pleasure to test her patterns, because she does such a great job that there's very little tweaking to do. It's been a while, but that happens when one is busy with a newborn baby. Erin had the baby, not me. Just to clarify. ;-P 

Okay, Grandma G... quit being silly and introduce the pattern! It's the Charlie Convertible Backpack, named after that brand new baby boy. The "convertible" part means that it's an on-the-shoulder tote that can quickly become a crossbody bag or a backpack, all by a slick move with the straps. It's unbelievably easy to adjust! But that's Erin for you... she's a design genius! 

Here's my Charlie in shoulder mode:

In backpack mode:

I don't have a photo of it in crossbody mode, but it's just a matter of lengthening out the tote straps using the sliders.

It can hold a lot of stuff, as shown by my lovely bottom. (There was some discussion in the tester group about our bottoms. Heehee.) The bottom is 14" wide by 5" deep, and the bag itself is 12½" tall.

It closes snugly at the top with a zipper.

The interior has a generous-sized zipper pocket...

... and a divided slip pocket, pleated for lots of room.

As I was in between cataract surgeries for most of the sewing of this bag, I think I managed to sew fairly straight, even though my vision was somewhat wonky. I was thrilled that my rivets came out even, too... on the first try. :)

Here's the back:

I love this bag, and if I were into carrying big bags myself, I'd make another one. This one is going to Courtney's mom, and she selected the fabrics from some options I gave her. No, they're not Jess's designs this time. The prints (quilting cotton) were gifted to me by a very generous friend whom I've never met, and the gold solid is a canvas I had on hand.

The pattern is another DUMD winner! Every construction detail is covered, with step-by-step instructions and actual photos to show what's going on. People are always asking bag designers for videos these days, but I assure you, a video is not necessary with this or any of Erin's patterns.

If you're interested in purchasing, you can get the pattern here, and it is at a discount price through Sunday, August 29th!

 

Piper ID Holder

Hi to anybody that still takes the time to check this ol’ blog! I’m sorry for the long absence. I simply haven’t been sewing for a while. I did finally do another pattern test last week, and now that the pattern has launched, I can show you. This will be a quick post for two reasons: 1) The project was a very quick sew, and 2) I’m in between cataract surgeries and my eyes are driving me crazy! I don’t see right with my glasses or without. Only 4 days to go till I get the second eye done, though - yay! It’s been a long almost-6 weeks. 

This latest test was once again for Linds Handmade Designs. It’s the Piper ID Holder. Easy to make, even for a beginner, and would be handy for any occasion where you need to have your ID available. (Think school days coming up quickly!)

The fabric I used is quilt cotton from the Typography line designed by Jess (aka How About Orange) several years ago for Cloud9 Fabrics.

The cute little pouch can be used with a lanyard, a wristlet strap, or on its own just to stick in one’s pocket or purse. It zips at the top, so it can hold coins, a chapstick or any other small item, and the ID goes in a separate pocket with a clear vinyl window.

The pattern calls for an optional breakaway clasp for the lanyard. It was suggested in the tester group that a snap would work, so I tried it, but I don’t recommend doing that, as it doesn’t pull apart like it needs to.

So there you have it! The Piper ID Holder can be purchased here, and if you see this post in time, it along with everything else in the shop is on sale through tonight! As always, there is a video tutorial, and there are SVG cut files if you have a cutting machine.

I’m into another pattern test already, so I’ll go get busy on that, as eyes permit. 🤓

Dayna Pack at 110%

Two years ago I made a Dayna Pack for myself, which you can see here. It's the first Linds Handmade Designs pattern I ever made, and I'd purchased the pattern. I liked it so much - the easy but unique way she put things together - and I guess that's what got me to volunteer to test her patterns.

I decided last year that that Dayna just wasn't quite big enough for my needs. I often carry eye meds, treats, flashlight, etc., with me when I go out to feed cats and tend to kittens in the summertime, so I wanted something slightly bigger. I looked around at different fanny pack patterns but just kept coming back to the Dayna as still my favorite. So I simply enlarged the pattern to 110%, added some pockets, and here it is!

My old Dayna was made from dry oilskin and quilting cotton. It got pretty dirty, and despite washing it, it just didn't look that great afterwards. So this time I made the whole thing from waterproof canvas, which I love! This way it can easily be wiped clean.

On the back, I made a zipper pocket. Or, at least, I added a zipper. Since the WPC is coated on the back and doesn't fray, I didn't bother to add a lining for the pocket. It's just the area between the outer fabric and the main lining. Yes, you can see raw seam edges and the stitching for one of the slip pockets, but I don't care. I'm just glad for the extra room to stash my cell phone and/or whatever.

Below you can see the pockets I added...

... and this is how they look occupied.

Just what I wanted! And here I am modeling my new Dayna Pack:

 I'm now all set for kitten season. And it's well under way! Want to see a couple? Of course you do!

They're a little shy yet, but we're making progress! 💕