Cell Phone/Camera Case & Wallet

Hello sewers!

This the sample that I sewed up from the

ByAnnie Cell Phone/Camera Case & Wallet pattern.

It features an extra-wide zip that allows the case to open nice and wide.

There are four inner pockets, which can hold credit cards,

gum, cash, or whatever else you need to tote with you.

One of the outer sides of the case has a clear vinyl pocket with fabric binding along the top.

The other side sports an elastic top pouch pocket with a hook and loop flap closure.

That pocket expands to a decent size to hold bulkier items.

This sample make is for sale in my shop.

- OR -

If you prefer to stitch up this pattern for yourself, I'll take you on a tour of the steps:

All the components are prepared before any assembly begins.

In the above photo you can see the case front and back,

the zipper strip, and the wrist strap and adjustable shoulder strap.

The pattern does not include instructions to add Soft and Stable™,

but I stitched a piece to each side to give the case some structure.

I sewed it to the wrong side of the outside fabric (denim).

I used my walking foot to stitch the two layers together with

straight lines one inch apart.

Here's a picture of the flip side of the case front and back.

This will be the inside of the case.

The packets are sewn to the lining fabric, then the lining and

outside fabric (denim) are sewn together.

To round the corners, I used a thread spool and marked it with my Frixion pen.

Then I just used my scissors to cut the rounded corners.

When you sew the clear vinyl pocket onto the case back,

use binder clips to hold the pocket in place.

A presser foot with a non-stick sole makes smooth work of sewing the vinyl.

The top of the vinyl pocket is bound with cotton fabric.

The front pocket has a hook and loop tab closure,

and the elastic is inserted in a casing along the top.

Use elastic that is longer than the finished width,

scrunch the fabric along the elastic to the size desired

and hold it all in place with binder clips while you sew it in place across the end.

Then cut off the excess elastic.

I used fusible fleece to give structure to the front outer pocket.

After the layers are stitched together, the corner is cut to form a boxed bottom.

A small, point and shoot camera fits perfectly inside that front pocket.

A smart phone, however, is too big for the outside pocket.

I like to use Wonder Tape to keep my zipper in place when I'm sewing bags,

cases, purses, totes, pillows (okay, almost everything)!

It does not gum up my needle and it is not stiff.

If you are sewing something that will be washed, it washes away.

Wonder Tape is used like double stick tape.

Stick it to the zipper tape, peel off the protective paper, and stick the fabric strip down on top.

Then, I use my cording foot to sew down the zipper.

The zipper teeth fit under the channel in the foot, then move the needle to the right, and stitch.

Sew easy!

By Annie handbag zippers that are longer than what you need are the best for these type of projects.

You can cut the zipper down to size once you are finished stitching,

then you have extra zip tape left for another project.

Again, sew easy!

The pattern has instructions for a wrist strap . . .

and an adjustable shoulder strap.

The inside of the case actually has a lot of room for a small camera plus

any extras you may want to carry such as,

keys, credit cards, cash, lipstick, etc.

Depending on the size of the phone, it may or may not fit inside the case.

The pictured phone is a Samsung Galaxy SIII and it fits great.

Anything larger will be too long to allow the case to zip.

All in all, this is a handy case to carry on a quick trip to the store,

a leisurely day at the pool, or a day spent at the park.

The pattern and most supplies are available in my shop.

I welcome your comments and questions.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Media Hipster

October 11, 2018

I updated and replaced the closure on this great bag.

Here is the video on how I did that:

Hello, stitchers!

This is a cross body bag that I stitched up for my grandgirl's birthday.

The pattern and embroidery design are by Hope Yoder:

The first item on the agenda is to stitch out that pretty,

embellished flap using the embroidery machine.

Hoop the fusible fleece, cutaway stabilizer, and main fabric (my fabric is lightweight denim).

The flap outline and the all over stipple design stitch first.

Add the flap accent fabric and the machine completes the outline stitches.

Then, trim away the inside "u" shape of the accent fabric.

Now, on to the embroidered floral design.

I selected eight colors that I thought would be pretty with my cotton accent fabrics.

When that is all embroidered (it will take a while),

add the elastic hair band that will loop over the button for the closure.

These are the bands that I used.

They are a little thick, but they still worked fine.

After the machine tacks down the hair band,

place the flap lining fabric right side down

and let the machine stitch all the layers in place.

Remove the flap from the hoop and trim away the extra fabric and stabilizer.

Leave about 1/4 inch seam allowance around the flap.

Turn right side out and give it a good press.

I always use a press cloth over my embroidery stitch outs.

Now, on to the rest of the bag.

I purchased these fabrics from Shabby Fabrics.

They complement the denim beautifully.

I used iron on fleece inside the back pocket,

then I cross hatch quilted the pocket layers using my Baby Lock Sashiko.

The binding along the top of the pocket was a breeze using my Bernina binder attachment.

I always like to use the fly stitch to reinforce pocket seams.

On my Bernina, the fly stitch is number 26.

You don't have to sew on a Bernina for this stitch.

It is included on other brands as well.

The above picture shows what it looks like.

I backed the purse body and handle straps with byAnnie Soft and Stable.

On the handle straps, this wavy stitch holds the layers in place.

This is the attachment that I used on my Baby Lock Ovation serger to make

quick work of the tabs that attach the "O" rings to the purse.

This attachment folds the fabric on each side to the back

and the coverstitch is used to secure everything in place.

Here's a back and front view of the tabs.

Instead of simply attaching the purse strap to the tab and "0" ring,

I used a swivel hook. 

That way, the strap doesn't twist when my granddaughter puts it across her body,

and she can also detach the strap, wrap it around the handlebars of her bike, and reattach the bag so she can be hands free while riding her bike.

It also will not flap around on her body while she is riding her bike.

(I sell bag hardware in my shop and I would be happy to put together a finishing kit for your project.  Not just this Media Hipster, but any bag or purse you might be stitching.  Just send me a convo and we will work together to get you the hardware you need.)

This bag will hold a tablet the size of the original iPad,

with room left to add other items.

The back pockets also add extra storage.

A covered button finishes off the front.

If you decide to make this one, give yourself a day to complete all the steps.

This one is not a one-hour project, but in my opinion, it is worth the effort.

I'm considering stitching up one for myself!

If you would like to leave a comment or say hello, please do so in the comment section.

Or, please feel comfortable sending me an email.

I really look forward to hearing from my visitors.

Thanks for stopping by.