Project
Tech Case from School of Sewing by Shea Henderson
Project features:
- sew a curve
- sew a buttonhole
- sew a button
- custom pocket
- protective padding
Process notes
Fabric:
- dark navy chambray
- Marcus Fabrics Aunt Grace Ties One On #5369 in navy and white
- Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in a taupe shade (possibly Cobblestone)
- Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Sage
- Pellon SF101 Shape-Flex woven fusible interfacing
- Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece
Customized fabric measurements for iPad 2:
- 8 3/4 x 11 for exterior, lining, and pocket
- 7 3/4 x 10 for coordinating interfacing/fleece pieces
Equipment and settings:
- Microtex 80/12 needle for most of the project, except for the final assembly used Jeans 100/16
- used default stitch length settings for straight stitches
- basting stitch #06
- for topstitching around the opening, used 0.0/3.5 stitch with edge joining foot
- used pinking shears to trim seam allowances
- tried using the open toe foot to stitch the seam on the flap, but the fabric didn’t stay flat around the curves, so that didn’t work very well
- switched stitch length to 1.8 around curves
- for top stitching the flap used 0/3.5 with the edge joining foot on the straight parts and 0/3 around the curve
- for buttonhole used 5.0/.3
Results
I ran into some confusion with the flap pattern piece in the back of the book because it says to cut 2 of the woven interfacing, but the written instructions say to cut 1 fusible fleece and 1 woven interfacing. I followed the written instructions and it worked great.
It was challenging to sew the seams when constructing the exterior pieces because the presser foot kept wanting to squish the thick part of the fabric out to the side. So my seams there are wobblier than I’d like. It’s definitely something to practice! It might have helped to put a thick, folded piece of fabric on the right side of the foot to even it out.
I’m really happy with how the final case turned out — it looks very crisp, polished, and professional. My iPad is a really tight fit along the sides (the height is perfect) so if I make another I’ll add extra ease into the width so it’s easier to get in and out.
