DIY iPhone Sleeve

Hello friends!

So, this was a quick project born of necessity this week.

I've been whining for a while about needing a sleeve to hold my phone while I exercise, but haven't wanted to buy one.  So, I usually just hold my phone and make it work, but I've discovered that becomes a little dangerous when I try to ride my bike. :)

So, as always, when the need arises, grab the sewing machine and some scrap fabric and do it yourself!

I started playing with some scrap jersey knit material  and came up with this first version:

Not bad, but I wanted the phone to have a "pocket" so that it wouldn't slip down.  So, I'll show you how I made the t-shirt phone sleeve, version 2.0. :)

What you'll need:

-Scrap jersey (I used an old black t-shirt and some striped jersey from the square-circle skirt project)

-Sewing machine

-Measuring tape

-Sharp scissors

-Optional: Scrap fabric and embroidery floss/needle for embellishment

Ok, let's get started... 

First, measure your phone or other music device, so you have an idea of how wide or tall your sleeve needs to be.  My phone, in it's case, measures 5.25"x3".  Next, measure your arm circumference for the length of the sleeve.  You'll be trying it on to get the exact length in a few steps, but this will give you a starting point.   

Since I used an old t-shirt to make the sleeve, I cut the fabric from the bottom hem of the shirt, 6"x10.5".  This way one hem will already be sewn for you.  I like short-cuts.

 

Once the rectangle is cut, sew a hem on the other long side of the rectangle.

Now you're ready to try it on for size.  Stretch the jersey around your arm  to find where you should make your seam.  You want it to be snug, but remember your phone (if it's wide like mine), will take up space, so don't make it too tight.

Pin your desired seam.

Sew the seam with a straight stitch and cut the excess fabric.  Turn your sleeve inside out to hide your seam, and you're ready to make the pocket.

Decide on your dimensions and cut out more jersey fabric with at least 1/4" extra on each side for your seam allowance.  

Go ahead and fold over 1/4" on each side and sew your hem; this way you won't have any unfinished edges showing on the outside of the pocket.

Now you're ready to sew it onto the sleeve! 
Sew three sides of the pocket onto the sleeve; obviously you're leaving the top open to slide your phone/music player in and out.  I also left about a 1" gap open in the bottom of the pocket, for the headphone cord to come out.  If your headphone jack is in the top of your device, you don't have to do this.

Ok, try it out!  If everything is snug and happy, you're done!

Of course, I have a hard time leaving things without embellishment.  Since we've been embroidering things this month, I had to find something to embroider on this sleeve :)

You can embroider on a knit/stretchy fabric if you use a stabilizer.  However, since I thought of it later, there was no way to embroider directly onto the pocket once I sewed it onto the sleeve.

So, I used some scrap cotton fabric from an old IKEA curtain.  (Yes, this is why I hold onto so many things. You just never know when it might come in handy!) ;)

I found a really cute design in an embroidery book I borrowed from a friend.  Since the fabric I chose was thin, I was able to trace the design with pencil directly from the book.

Embroidery pour la Maison: 100 French Designs for the Home,  Sylvie Blondeau

All she needs are some headphones!

To keep the lines small for little details, I embroidered the design using 1 thread of embroidery floss in each color.  
I used a split stitch for the entire outline of the design, french knots for the pig tails and for the "ear buds", satin stitch for the rest of the hair, and single/detached chain stitches for the hair and shoelace bows.

To attach the design to the pocket, I used permanent fabric glue then sewed it on with a simple running stitch.

Now, I'm officially inspired and equipped for my work-out!  
Too bad it's raining.... I guess I'll just have to make some tea and wait until next week.

Have some fun and recycle your old t-shirts to make something fun!

Embroidery Hoop Art

Hello again!

Today, we're using the same, simple embroidery stitches to make some wall art!  The possibilities are completely endless here.  With fun fabric and incredibly inexpensive wooden hoops, you can make a lot of super fun art for very little cost and effort.  

Check out Pinterest for endless ideas and inspiration!

Like these!...

This was my inspiration this week, from some hoop art I found on Etsy:

Good.  Grief.  

Can you resist the warm, wonderful feelings from Disney's UP?  I can't.  If this doesn't make you want to cry, then we may not be able to be friends.

*Sniff.  I absolutely adore this sweet movie.  It reminds me how lucky I am to be married to an adventurous "Ellie". 

So, after wiping my tears, I looked at the "inspiration art" and thought, "I can make that!" (And for way less than $28.)

Here we go!

For hoop art, you need:

-Hoop (*Note: These wooden hoops are super cheap, but less sturdy than the plastic ones.  I would recommend doing the embroidery with the fabric secured in a plastic hoop, and then transfer it to a wooden one for display.)

-Embroidery floss/ embroidery needle

-Scrap fabric (or buttons) for balloons

-Washable fabric marker

-Sharp scissors

-Fabric glue

-Felt for backing (optional)

Ok, first, select your fabric.  I had some scrap light blue fabric, but you could also find a printed fabric to use.

Next, you need to decide on your design and use an iron transfer to get your design to the fabric or draw it directly on to the fabric.

Here is my sophisticated technique:

Yes, I hold up the fabric to the computer screen and trace.  But hey, it works!  I use a washable fabric marker.  If any blue still shows after the stitching is complete, it will come out with just a little water.  If your fabric can't be washed, use a disappearing ink fabric pen or a fabric pencil, whose lines will be more difficult to see.

Once the design is in place, get to stitching!

I used a back stitch to make the outline of the house.

I used a chain and split stitch for the words, with a small area of satin stitches in the "A" of adventure.

Side note: You can either knot your thread when you're done, or weave the ends under your other stitches.  Since this won't be worn/washed, it doesn't need super secure knots for the thread.

I used a little warm soapy water to get rid of the extra blue fabric marker, and tossed it in the dryer with a couple of towels for a few minutes.  It didn't really need it, but I gave it a quick ironing.  I also sprayed it with a little starch, since this blue fabric was really thin and wrinkled easily.

Next, I used one strand of the embroidery floss to make the balloon strings.  (I also added some clouds with a running stitch.)

Now for the balloons.... I didn't have enough beautiful buttons to make the balloons, so I pulled the scrap fabric back out the bin.  I used a nickel as my template, and cut circles from brightly-colored fabrics.

You could, of course, stitch each of these on.... but let's be real.  I used fabric glue and positioned the circles, some on top and some behind the strings.

Done!!

At this point, I transferred it to the wooden hoop, pulled the fabric as tightly as I could, and cut/glued a circle of felt to cover the back.    You could also just trim the fabric and skip the backing.  

Ready to hang!  You can use the clamp on top of the hoop or glue a small loop of ribbon or fabric onto the back for hanging.

*Note: I didn't see this idea until I was done, but I'm remembering it for next time!  Cut a strip of fabric and wrap/glue it around the outer hoop for a fun framing effect.  I love this idea!

All done!  Now it's your turn!

Thanks for reading!

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