Finished Tablet Case...

I completed this commission over the weekend. It's constructed completely from my client's late father's shirt. The additional embellishments were also given to me to incorporate into the design. So, after a week of careful planning, I was ready to begin on Saturday.

The first step was to carefully cut apart the shirt. I knew that I wanted to utilize the button placket, manufacturers info/size label, and at least one complete pocket and flap. The laces I was given were bright white with a few stains, so I used the Instant Antique spray to darken them and minimize the appearance of the stains.

Her dad carried a penny with the Masonic symbol stamped into it. I chose a framed vinyl window to protect and preserve it. I placed that on the inside of the case closure flap. The closed flap is then secured by velcro strips.

I placed the full pocket on the back side of the case. I pulled half the stitches out of the pocket so that I could securely sew the last piece of lace to the outside of it without stitching the pocket shut.

 

When I'd done that, I resewed the pocket to the fabric. I added more of the button band to the back of the flap., leaving the ends open so that a pen or stylus could be stored there.

There is batting between the exterior and interior fabric, and I added just a little extra behind the silver badge on the front side. I wanted to be absolutely sure that there would be nothing to mar or damage anything placed inside the case.

Well, it's all finished now and will go to it's new owner this week. It was an honor for me to make this piece...a piece of her father to carry close. I'm anxious to see her reaction, and I sure hope she likes it!

Design Phase...

 This project is important to my client, so I'm taking my time to be sure I get it just right.

I aged the three crocheted ornaments with a product I purchased last time I was in Wisconsin. I bought Instant Antique from Primitive Gatherings. It's a spray-on product that starts dark and dries lighter. You can find it HERE. Instant Antique can be used on fibers, fabrics and needlework to give it an old appearance. It's just what I needed so the ornaments would look a little more masculine.

I'll be assembling all the parts and pieces today, and plan to have it completed by the end of the day. You know I'll be back with pictures, right?

Her Dad's Shirt...

These are the elements of my next commission project. My client brought all these precious pieces to me so that I could make a very special tablet case for her.

They are significant to her because they belonged to her father, who has passed. The crocheted ornaments were created by a family member (her mom, I think), and she asked that I incorporate them into my design, as well. I have permission to age them because there are discolored areas in the lace.

The penny was embossed with a shriner insignia and her father carried it. I have a few ideas for adding it to the design, at the same time protecting it from loss or damage. The silver pin will also be added, but I'm still contemplating how I want to attach it so it will be good and secure, too.

 

I'm honored that my client entrusted these items to me - and I'll do my best to honor the meaning that these items hold for her.

I'll start working on the design today and will share the finished case with you during the week. 

 

Happy February, my friends. 

(Already!!)

Productive Studio Time...

 I finally got back into the studio yesterday!

I had a list of things with deadlines, and

I managed to complete everything on my list.

Yay, me!

We'll be celebrating Joni's Birthday at Coffee Club

on Saturday and my hands are the last to touch her gift

from us. Joni loves ducks - specifically Rubber Ducky -

so choosing her fabric was easy for the girls. 

Nora, Kathy, Fay and Brenda assembled the whole quilt.

 My tasks were to bind the quilt, add the hanging sleeve and label.

 We included Flo's name on the quilt label for all the quilts made in

 2013. Because Joni's quilt is actually the last one in this cycle, her 

label has Flo's name on it, too. We'll miss Flo for a long time to come.

I can share this with you because Joni doesn't have a computer, tablet

or smart phone. She won't see it until we give it to her Saturday.

No surprises were ruined by sharing this finish with you!

 I also finished these cases to take to our Guild meeting last night.

I added velcro to these two cases and they're now finished "sleeves".

The velcro will keep the tablet from slipping out unexpectedly.

 I added flaps to these two, so they're finished cases. I wanted to

give the Guild members an idea of what I'm working on. Only

twenty to go! I have until the third week in February to finish the

rest of them. I know that Pat, who is in charge of the Boutique was

really happy to have them, and I know she'll like having more to sell.

Today, I'll be working on Mom's Birthday gift. I'm going to make one of

my sewing organizers for her that will match the armchair pincushion I

gave her for Christmas. She told me she liked the organizer idea last 

month, so I'm happy to surprise her with one. I know she'll love it.

I have a full day ahead, so I'd better get back to the studio.

See you tomorrow with a few more finishes.

Wishing you a creative day, my friends.

Cases Or Sleeves?...

 I had great fun in the studio yesterday. I got this far on a number

of my tablet "assembly line" pieces, and then I started to rethink.

 At this point, my tablet cases would be considered "sleeves".

 The main fabric is embellished and padded. Then, I

lined them with soft, pretty flannel to protect the tablet.

 What I'm rethinking is whether to keep them just like this - as sleeves.

 Or to add the padded, lined flap with the velcro closure.

 If I add the flap, the "sleeves" become "cases".

Many people (women) slip their iPads and Kindles into

a tote bag or handbag when they carry them, so I

wonder if the flap is necessary. More work, but would

they bring more money for the guild, too? I can't decide.

Sleeve or Case. hmmm

What do you think?

To flap, or not to flap? 

That is the question.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho...

 I'm having fun in the studio with my tablet case project.

So far, I've had a lot of fun choosing elements to embellish each one.

I'm using vintage laces and fabrics that coordinate with my custom tapes.

 My goal is to make all of them fun, girly and pretty. Today I'll begin sewing.

The assembly line process makes things progress a lot faster, so I'll

be sharing a few finishes with you tomorrow. It's off to work I go!

Wooly One Complete...

 

 I put the finishing touches on Block One of

the Wooly Critter Sampler yesterday morning.

I used overdyed wools for the little chickadee and flowers...

and Sulky #12 threads for the buttonhole stitching all around them.

Block One completed in the first week of January. 

Not bad, so far. We'll see if I can keep up.

I'm heading to Coffee Club with the girls this morning, so I'll be adding

my block to the design wall with the rest of this month's completed blocks.

Artwork for sale by "vintagize" on Etsy

Handsome is actually playing percussion up in Gibsonton today...

for a circus! He does this every year and really enjoys it.

He always says the same thing about it when he gets home, though.

If anyone is interested in this little snippet of knowledge,

(Who knows? You may be asked this on Jeopardy or something.)

Camels REALLY stink!

When Tag and I get back home from Harbour Heights today, 

I'll head back to the studio to continue work on my tablet cases.

Hope you all have a restful and creative weekend.

Setting Up The Assembly Line...

 I ordered these custom twill tapes for a project I've been thinking about

for quite a while. You've seen my tablet cases in previous posts, and my

idea revolves around those cases. I developed my own case pattern last year, and

 now I'm ready to set up a little assembly line so that I can donate about twenty 

four of them to our guild Boutique for our upcoming quilt show (in February).

 I'm going to start working on them today. I'll cut all the fabric pieces,

and sections of trim to start sewing them just like an assembly line. I'll

coast right along from one to another and be finished in no time!

I'm nearly finished with the first block in the Wooly Critter Sampler, too!

I just have to stitch the detailing on the flower petals and leaves.

Photographs tomorrow!

A Start and A Finish...

 I rode my first two (grueling) miles on my new bicycle yesterday.

It felt good and I'm not hurting, so that's a good thing.

When I got back into the studio, I managed to make 

a special order for an Etsy client, too!

 She contacted me about creating a Kindle case for her

using a Palmer bird and vintage laces.

 I put some of the same crocheted lace on the back, too.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

At the end of the day, I felt really accomplished.

A "start" and a "finish"!

Now, to just keep my momentum...

New iPad and Reader Cases...

I finished two new cases yesterday...One is a creamy, sweet, 

Vintage chic iPad case which will fit the first generation iPad and more.

The back of the case is embellished with a vintage doily 

with more pretty, vintage lace and shell accents on the front.

Inside the case, you'll find a beautiful script-style fabric...

as well as more lace and an interior pocket!

The binding for the flap is even hand sewn.

This case measures (approximately) 8 1/4" x 11 1/2". (Outside)

 It's padded and pretty.

Can you imagine a sweeter way to protect your technology?

 My second case is a little smaller.

It measures (approx) 7" x 9" on the inside 

and 7 1/2" x 10" on the outside so you can

measure your reader to see if it will fit.

 The reverse of the case is constructed using a British-themed fabric,

and finished with the iconic "Keep Calm and Carry On" tape.

What do you think?

 This one is lined in soft, blue flannel with trim to match the exterior.

Both items are available in my Etsy shop: brynwoodneedleworks

I'm working on another design in the next day or 

so and can't wait to debut that one, too! Soon.

Tag says he thinks it will be his favorite!