DS or DSi Case Tutorial

Happy New Year's Eve! :)

I'm moving at the pace of a slug this week! The holidays have definitely put me in relax mode. I'm not looking forward to next week! :)

So, did any other kids unwrap DSi's this Christmas? I actually still feel a little sick about the DSi my daughter opened this year. We aren't really a video game family and I don't really like them. We don't have a Wii or any other video game systems. Don't get me wrong, when we are visiting, I'm down for the occasional game of Mario Kart, I just don't really care to have Mario in my house full time. I have a bit of an addictive personalty (thankfully so far this has only applied to sewing marathons and other crafty endeavors), but I could see myself going a bit nuts determined to beat Bowser and my kids having to fend for themselves. I don't worry about my kids, because I probably would never hand the controller over! :)

Anyway I wasn't sold on the DSi. It is the only thing my daughter asked for but I was pretty certain she wouldn't play it. Turns out I was right. Since Christmas I've seen her turn it on twice, and once was to take pictures. She does have it with her at all times though (she likes to carry little bags and purses).

This is the case I made for her, and hopefully will be helpful to some of you. I was going to buy her a hard case, but all of the ones I saw in the store looked cheap (but weren't cheap) and had characters on them (I don't like characters).
This would work for a boy too, just leave off the strap, or leave it on.

It has a small zippered pocket to hold a few games when you're on the go.

It will fit a DS, DS Lite or DSi perfectly. It measures approximately 4.5 inches X 6 inches.


Want to make one? Read on! :)
Your Pieces...

1. Flap Piece- 5 inches X 4 inches
2. Lower Back Piece- 5 inches X 4.5 inches
3. Upper Back Piece- 5 inches X 2.25 inches
4. Front Piece- 5 X 6.5 inches
5. Lining Flap Piece- 5 inches X 4 inches
6. Inside Pocket Piece #1- 5 inches X 2.5 inches
7. Inside Pocket Piece #2- 5 inches X 3 inches
8. Inside Lining- 5 inches X 6.5 inches
9. Same as #8
10. Strap- 31 inches X 2.5 inches (Optional)

Also cut fusible fleece for pieces #1, #2, #3, #4 and #10 and fuse to pieces (not shown). 
You will also need a 2-3 inch piece of touch tape and a zipper at least 5 inches long (it is ok to use a longer zipper). 


Use 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Now, before we start I want to tell you that this case will not be seamless inside. You can certainly make it seamless (I made two and the first one I made seamless). The reason I am not sharing a tutorial for a seamless one is that I know you won't like me very much. DSi's are small, and making the case seamless makes for some very fiddly sewing that I know many of you won't like! :) This tute still produces a very nice case, and the seams are only in the lining, not around the top. So, not visible!

Start by taking your flap lining piece and sewing a piece of touch tape to the bottom half. I sewed my velcro about 3/4 inch from the bottom.

Lay your front flap piece right side up and your front flap lining piece right side down on top. Sew together along both short sides and the long side closest to your touch tape.

turn right side out, press and topstitch around the three sewn sides. Set aside.

Now, find your two inside pocket pieces, back top piece and back bottom piece and press one 5 inch side in 1/4 inch.

Pin your top back piece and the larger inside pocket piece to one side of your zipper (pin the pieces to the zipper on the sides that are pressed in). Wrong sides of the fabric together. Don't worry if your zipper is not the right size. We'll cut it down later. Just make sure the end where your zip closes, the metal stop is at least 1/4 inch from the end.

This is what the other side will look like.

Using a zipper foot, sew together.

Do the same with the lower back piece and the other inside pocket piece. Now, cut the extra zipper off. make sure your zip is closed before doing this! You don't want to cut off the pull.

Flip the back of your case over, and with your pocket pieces right sides together match the raw edges and sew together down the long edge.

 The reason one side of your pocket piece was larger than the other is because it sits on the top side of the zipper. Pressed down this makes for a nice even flat pocket.

Press the top edge of your back piece in 1/4 inch and then do the same with your front piece, and lining pieces.

Important! Grab your front piece and sew the other side of your touch tape to the front about 1 inch down from the top. I forgot to do this and had to sew it on at the end and doing that isn't so fun.

Sew your front piece and lining piece right sides together along the top.

Flip the lining piece over, press and topstitch along the top. Set aside.

topstitch along both sides.

lay your back piece right side up. On top lay your strap matching the raw edges of your straps to the top edge of your back piece and then your flap on top right side down. Your straps and flap should be 1/4 inch in from each side. Pin in place.

lay your lining piece on top right side down. Sew along the top, sewing twice where the straps sit to reinforce them. Flip the lining over and topstitch just as you did the front side.

This is what you will have at this point! :) Almost done!

Right sides together lay your front and back piece together and sew along all three edges. The two sides and the bottom. If using a regular sewing machine zig zag your raw edges. Turn right side out and press, and your done!

The zippered pocket is big enough to hold a few games, but shallow enough that your kiddo will be able to get them out easily.

 Now they can take their gadget with them on the go and it will be protected. Those long car rides, Dr's office waits.........or they can just carry it around like my girl. *sigh*
I'm happy she isn't addicted to video games and I don't have to monitor the time she spends playing it, but geesh, pretty expensive thing to just carry around!

You'll be able to find a quick link to this tutorial under the Tutorials tab at the top of the page. Momentarily.

Have a happy New Years everyone!!

Shoeology Giveaway Winner!

Tell me I'm not the only one who's house is still a disaster? I'm usually pretty particular about my house being clean and tidy, but this Christmas I've thrown caution to the wind! I've been laying around, watching movies, and eating. It's been a great few days! :)

Did you think I forgot to announce the winner of the Shoeology giveaway? Well, I kinda did! :) But, without further adieu....

Tory said... 58

I, like you, have many munchkins running around and therefore after the holidays feel that it is me time. I would love the 3 pattern pack women's slippers/shoes. I deserve don't I?

Congratulations Tory!

See you soon with a little tutorial. :)

Drapes Of Wrath Apron Giveaway!

How were your Christmases? :) We had a wonderful fun filled Christmas full of excitement, smiles and FOOD! I think I probably don't need to eat for a week now! I will, however, be cleaning for the next week. My house is a mess! :)
Speaking of eating, and cleaning....

I have a really cute shop to introduce you to today, Drapes of Wrath! Drapes of Wrath is owned by two sisters, Mandy and Cami. Mandy and Cami specialize in creating one of a kind vintage style aprons from reclaimed and repurposed fabrics. Their aprons are really cute! They'll make you want to spend some time in the kitchen.

Isn't this apron adorable? Who doesn't want to look cute, even when they're cooking?

I think this one is my personal favorite!

For the Giveaway!

Head on over to Drapes of Wrath and check out all of the awesome aprons (you can also check them out on their facebook page)! Come back and leave a comment with your favorite apron.

One winner will win this beautiful and unique half apron ($25 value).

All of Mandy and Cami's aprons are lovingly hand made and because of the nature of their materials, no two aprons are ever exactly alike! Mandy and Cami are also happy to do custom orders, so if you have something in mind and don't see what you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact them!

Also, this week Drapes of Wrath will have their remaining Christmas stock in their shop at clearance prices. Perfect time to grab a festive apron for next year. :)

One comment per person please
Please leave a way for me to contact you
Giveaway closes Friday December 31st PST

Good luck!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I just wanted to pop on and wish you all a very merry Christmas! I hope you are all able to relax and enjoy the company of loved ones, and that this Christmas will be filled with many fond memories.

I tried to get a tutorial up for you this week, but just couldn't fit it in! I promise to have it up next week when the hustle and bustle is over! :)
Right now I need to dash and get ready for our little family party tonight. It is a tradition. As a family we eat appetizers in the living room for dinner, listen to Christmas music, generally act crazy and get ready for Santa. We'll end the night with popcorn and A Muppet's Christmas Carol. There's no sneaking off to sew or wrap gifts, and the clock is ticking (anyone else have a feeling they will be up to the wee hours of the morning getting everything done?).

First things first, I need to scrape icing from counters....and table....and floors.....

Letting the kids ice the sugar cookies seemed like a good idea at the time.

The Countdown is On....

I spent most of yesterday sweating and pulling my hair out! I have so much to do and so little time! How many of you feel this way? I have a list a mile long of hand made gifts I was going to make. Why didn't I start in August?

The past few days have been eaten by parties, unexpected errands, breaking up fights, potty training, and then yesterday, snotty noses times three. I will get it all done, I will get it all done, I will get it all done... this is becoming my mantra. How are you all doing on your lists?

Right now I have 5 gifts I have to get done and make (the rest I'll finish later if I have to), 90% of my Christmas baking, and 99% of the gifts left to wrap.... and I need to get most of it done today. Tomorrow is full of other obligations, and Friday is full of good family time.

Ok, deep breath. I tend to stress easily. :)

I hope to have a tutorial up for you all tomorrow which might come in handy for a last minute Christmas gift. Fingers crossed as it is one of my "must make" gifts. :)

Here is something that ate half my day yesterday. Actually what ate half my day was the cleanup. Don't give a 3yr old permanent paints unsupervised. The 10 mins you buy for yourself isn't worth it. :)

Salt Dough Ornaments

Ingredients

• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 1/2 cups hot water

1. Mix salt and hot water and stir till dissolved.
2. Add flour and knead until smooth.
3. Roll out into 1/4 inch thickness and use cookie cutters (or in our case play doh cutters) to cut out your ornaments.
4. Use a straw to poke a whole in the top for ribbon or string.
5. Let air dry, or put in 200 degree oven for a couple of hours.
6. Paint when hard

Kids love making these, we make them every year. Salt dough can be really stiff so you might have to help roll for the littler ones.

I always write their names and ages on the back.

These are cute to attach to the tops of Christmas gifts for family.

Of course, every year we keep a few for the tree.

This is a fun little Christmas craft to do with bored kiddos. Of course, if you don't leave your 3 yr old unsupervised and have to scrub paint off the kitchen wall. :)

I'll see you tomorrow......hopefully! :)

Shoeology Giveaway!

How many of you are ready for Christmas? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. My kids have a coutdown going and remind me how many more sleeps every chance they get. It makes my heart beat faster knowing I still have so much to do!
I love the couple of weeks leading up to Christmas. I even like the stress. The music, the baking, Christmas crafts with the kids, even the wrapping. When Boxing Day comes I always feel a little down. I don't want this week to go by too fast! :)
Do any of you ever feel that way?

For those of you giving some hand made gifts this year, how are your projects going? I'm behind! Still looking for hand made gift ideas? I have a great one for you today!

Cheri, from Shoeology, is back today to have a little giveaway and also to offer you a sale on her wonderful patterns. You guys are familiar with Cheri's patterns, right?

 Cheri's patterns are amazing! Her women's patterns can be made as shoes, or slippers, and come in sizes 5-11. What makes them even better is that all three of her women's patterns, The Sunday Morning Slippers, Upcylced Vintage Shoes, and Classic Maryjanes, come all together in ONE pattern! For one low price you receive all three patterns!

I have the perfect fabric waiting to make a pair of these. I hope to show them to you once the Christmas rush is over, because they are going to be for me! :)
These would make great Christmas gifts. I can guarantee that you will get a ton of "You made those?!"

Cheri is now also stocking a new soling material that you can buy separate from her patterns. You will be able to purchase it in black, brown or cream and it is the perfect material to make these into outdoor shoes! It is waterproof, durable, abrasion resistant, slip resistant and resistant to hot and cold surfaces. And, get this, Cheri assures it is also sewing machine friendly! I'm really intrigued by this, aren't you?!

Cheri is also the owner of Sweet Pea Patterns

I've shown you some of Cheri's adorable baby shoe patterns before, but in case you missed her newest baby shoe pattern I have to show it to you again.

Aren't these Super Slouchy Baby Boots so so precious? Why buy baby boots when you could make these?
This pattern comes in 5 different sizes ranging from 0-18 mos, as do the rest of her baby shoe patterns. They are really inexpensive too! Another perfect hand made gift giving idea! Who wouldn't love to receive little boots like this for their little one? I have made a pair of Cheri's baby shoes and her patterns are easy to follow with step by step instructions including photos every step of the way.

For the Giveaway
Head on over to Shoeology or Sweet Pea Patterns and check out all of Cheri's great patterns. Come back and leave a comment with the name of your favorite pattern!

One winner will win Shoeology's 3 pattern bundle pack!
One comment per person please
Please leave a way for me to contact you
Giveaway Closes December 24th 7pm PST

Want to make some of Cheri's women's or baby shoes for gifts this week?

Cheri is having a sale just for you!
Enter FROMANIGLOO10 at checkout at Shoeology
or
Enter FROMANIGLOO11 at checkout at Sweet Pea Patterns
And receive 10% of your order!

Have a great Monday everyone!

Gadanke Giveaway Winner!

Time to announce the winner of the Gadanke Giveaway! Katie's journals are so wonderful, if you missed the giveaway check out Gadanke and have a peak. Such sweet gifts to give a special loved one, or a treat for yourself.

Now, for the winner...

Tania said... 20

My favorite is the Love Letters journal. I love wiring little messages to my husband and sons, but they often get lost. With this little journal they all can be bundled

Congratulations Tania! I will email you shortly! :)