In truth, I’m not much of a sewer.  In my head I’m amazing and I have a fabric stash that makes my husband’s eyes roll up to the sky and a bookcase full of gorgeous sewing books that sit on the shelf gathering dust.  Sadly, in reality I have a go at making something, do an ok job and then put it all away and forget all the skills.

I’ve made a blind, a skirt, half a dress (I know, I know!), taken up jeans and made a boat load of reusable shopping bags (Christmas presents one year).  But each time I start a new project, my confidence seems to have left the building.

I love pattern, I love design, I love clothes and bags and I love fabric.  So when I had a chance to enter a competition with Hillarys Blinds, I grabbed the chance to stroke some pretty fabric and make something useful.  My first challenge was deciding which fabric to use, there were 4 to choose from and all equally delicious.  I opted for Safi Turquise as blue is one of my favourite colours.

The second challenge was deciding what to make. Usually I decide what to make and then buy fabric (unless I see fabric that is too gorgeous to pass up of course!).  So I delved into that dusty bookshelf to seek inspiration and now I have a list of things to make as long as my arm (oops!).

I decided on making a tablet case for my Samsung Galaxy as the fabric from Hillarys is so soft and quite robust. Here’s how I did it and how I got on!

If you want to know how I made it, here are some brief instructions (bearing in mind the measurements are for a Samsung tablet).

I measured out 2 pieces of the Safi Turquiose fabric for the outside measuring
24.5cms x 66cms
and 24.5cms x 22.5
One piece of lining fabric (I used a blue/grey polycotton)
Wadding measuring 24.5cms x 57cms

1. Fold a 1.5cm hem on the bottom (short end) of the smaller outer fabric and iron and then repeat the process again and sew a 1cm hem.
2. Put the 2 remaining larger bits of fabric right sides together and pin, then sew a 1 cm seam allowance along the top.
3. Open out the pieces from step 2 and place the wadding on the wrong side of the lining, pin in place and sew a straight line into the wadding 1 cm away from one from step 2.
4. Fold the outer fabric over so that the right sides are facing out with the wadding in the middle.
5. Place the outer fabric facing up and the stitched end of the fabric nearest you. From the stitched end, measure 27.5cms and put a pin on each side at this measurement (as a guide) and then pick the stitched end up and fold it so the fold is where the pins are and then pin the top in place.
6. Put the smaller piece of fabric on top, right side down and line up with the top edge. Pin in place.
7. Sew round the three edges with a 1cm seem allowance (the remaining side is a fold, so no need to sew that).
8. Trim the corners at 45 a degree angle.
9. Turn the whole thing inside out (a magical moment!)
10. Complete the project with some sew on velcro to secure the flap at the top.

Finally I added decorative button from my stash of pretty things!  Et Voila!  I’m insanely pleased with how it turned out and our tablet is now nice and snug in it’s new home!  (It also seems to make an excellent sleeping bag for teddies and dolls!).

I had a great time experimenting and re-discovering my love of fabric and sewing.  You can check out the other competition entries here.  Everyone has done an amazing job!