Earbud Case tutorial

I've been making these cases for earbuds for a while, they are are also really good for spare change etc as they can be clipped onto a bag etc. I make mine out of oilcloth as I like the strength of the fabric and it holds it shape really well, you could make them out of any fabric but you may may need to line the cases or use interfacing to give the case some shape. You can see how this pattern developed here

Cut 2 squares out of the oilcloth - I cut my squares 10cm using a pinking rotary cutter as I like the finish, but its not essential as oilcloth doesn't fray. The zip is a 4" zip

Sew the 2 squares onto the zip as shown, lining the second one up with the first one

It should look like this when you have finished.

Clip and sew 2 sides of the square - leave the zip closed while you do this and leave the side closest to the zipper open

It should look like this when done, with the zip partially open

If you want to add a ribbon tag with either a trigger fastener or split ring, then now is the time to do, you will turn the case inside out so place the ribbon tag on the inside of the case as shown and hold it in place with a clip as shown (Oilcloth shouldn't be pinned, but if you don't have wonder clips you can use paper clips or binder clips)

Bring the zip seam across to the clip holding the ribbon tag and clip it in, this will give you the shape of your case.

Sew across this seam - take your time sewing across the zip to make sure it stays in place, trim ends of zip if needed and cut loose thread. You can also trim the corners to help it sit better.

Turn inside out and admire your lovely new case.

You can also buy finished versions of these cases on my website

This is my first tutorial so let me know what you think and I would love to see pictures of any you make.

New bag style

I've been working on a new bag design - this was my first version 

I then made it again in a matt oilcloth and took the pleats out of the body of the bag so it has a smoother line

They are both lined inside and have a slip pocket, I will have them with me when I go to Homemade Heaven in Hale in May - they will cost £25 each, I will see how much feedback I get from them and then maybe make some more !

How patterns develop

If you have seen any of my previous posts, you will be aware that I made some pattern weights and then adapted the pattern to make a little headphone case - you can see the Link here. I have since played with the pattern a little more and I thought it would be useful to see how patterns adapt.

This was the first case which I really liked, but wasn't completely happy with the way the zip sat

I then moved the zip to one of the other seams which sat nicer but still had that 'poky' bit at the top

I then put the zip in the other way and put a bit of ribbon over the teeth both of which helped the zip to sit much better, on this one I also tried putting the ribbon and split ring on another corner

Final design - I moved the ribbon back to the corner next to the zip - I also made this one slightly bigger. I am finally happy with this design and have cut out a few more - will try some with split rings on the ribbon and some with a trigger clip.

Smaller Bags

These were really popular before Christmas - in fact I sold out of them so I have been busy replenishing my stock. They are all small oilcloth bags, just the right size to put your packed lunch in or keys and purse etc for the school run, they sell for £15 each (+ postage) - let me know if you are interested in any of them and I can do pictures of the lining etc. I will try and get these listed on Folksy soon.

Sewing oilcloth

When I first started sewing with oilcloth, I was really wary - I read loads about ways to make it easy so assumed it was really hard, but in fact I've been really pleased with how easy it is to do. I thought I would share my tips of what works for me.

This is my machine - it is a Janome DXL603.

I've never tried oilcloth on anything else so obviously everything relates to this machine. Despite hints and tips I have read, I've found I don't need to adjust tension or any other adjustment. When making bags the vast majority of the time I am sewing on the reverse of the fabric (the only time I sew on the shiny side is the handles or for topstitching) so it sews no problem. The only time it gets harder is if you are sewing on the 'shiny' side of the fabric - in this case you need to use a Teflon foot, otherwise the foot will stick to the fabric as you go along - I got quite a cheap foot from Ebay but you can get them most places, when sewing on the reverse then a normal foot works ok. If the shiny side of the fabric is running over the base of the machine,then it can stick there too. When I am top-stitching on oilcloth, I find that it looks better and sews well if I make the stitches a little longer - I have them at 3.5 on my machine.

I have seen a suggestion of using masking tape to fasten a piece of oilcloth shiny side down to the base so the fabric will just roll over the machine

However on my machine I can remove the front piece so I just take that off when sewing oilcloth to prevent sticking.

I always use a denim or Leather needle when sewing oilcloth, if you have to take any stitching out of oilcloth, it will leave a 'scar' on the fabric so I try to avoid it as much as possible. For this reason you shouldn't use pins - when cutting out the fabric I use Pattern weights, 

When I First started sewing oilcloth I used these binder clips to hold the fabric as I sewed, they work great and if that is what you have around will do the job, however I did find them quite bulky so I wanted to try something else.

I now use these Clover Wonder Clips and they are much better, there only seems to be a couple of places in the UK which sell them (I had them posted from the States) but they were well worth it. 

I have also heard of people using paper clips which I have never tried.

Another bag and Kindle cases

 I've had the sewing machine going again - I have slightly adapted the design of this bag slightly and instead of putting the magnetic snap inside, I have put it on a tab, decorated with a button which is covered with the same fabric as the bag lining, I have also added a little 'hand made' charm

 

I have also made some oilcloth Kindle covers - the plain one is just lined with cotton fabric, the floral one is also lined with cotton fabric an has been padded with wadding to give some more protection. I am also going to try lining them with wool felt to give padding and protection, once I decide which one seems best and can make a few more and list them on Folksy

Oilcloth fabrics and how to recognise them

As you can see from all my bags, I love sewing with oilcloth - when I first started I really struggled to find the differance between all the types of fabric - lots of descriptions but no pictures so I thought I would do my own pictures - I get most of my oilcloth from Norfolk textiles, they have a great selection.

The pink spotty fabric is a PVC/Vinyl fabric, the Blue spot is oilcloth and the one with the leaves is a matt oilcloth - this looks the same on the back as the usual oilcloth but just has a matt sheen instead of the usual shiny finish

This is a normal oilcloth - as you can see the back has quite a course finish but has a definate fabric weave effect

I think (feel free to correct me !) this is a laminated cotton - I bought it from Laura Ashley, it is sold as PVC Cotton fabric, it still has the plastic feel but is a little softer and drapes a little more. The reverse of the fabric still has a definate weave but it is much finer - not quite as fine as a quilting cotton but softer than the usual oilcloth.

This is a much cheaper fabric - it is more of a Vinyl/PVC it is a softer fabric and the rear doesn't have a weave, it is more of a synthetic back. This fabric is great for tablecloths as it drapes well but it isn't as strong as oilcloth. I have used it to make a bag but found that the handles quickly started to come off - sewing the seam basically perforated the fabric so it started to tear across the seam. I think it would still make little cases but its not so good for bag handles !

Hope this all helps and please feel free to let me know any mistakes - I've just figured this all out myself, although I have seen this Fabric Selector book on Amazon which is now on my Wish List !

Pattern weights and headphone case

I found a lovely tutorial on Five Green Acres Blog, for pattern weights which I have been meaning to make for a while - I was getting fed up of balancing pin boxes and assorted random objects on the pattern when I'm cutting out  - so I finally got the machine out and made this little collection. I filled them with some (unused !) fish tank gravel - I've used this in doorstops before and found it worked really well, as it is coated so there is no dust from. Looking forward to using these, but have ordered a new presser foot to sew oilcloth on the machine, so once that arrives I'll be away.

I loved the shape of these so much, I decided to make a another version, this time I made it in oilcloth and put a zip at the bottom.

Just the right size for a pair of earbud headphones, the zip isn't perfect but I'm sure I'll make another one to improve on it.

More large oilcloth Bags

More oilcloth bags - same size as the last ones but a slightly differant design each bag has poppers at the gusset which will unfasten to make the bag opening larger.  - £28 each

Blue spotty Oilcloth with Strawberry design lining. Internal pocket and magnetic snap closure.

Leave design oilcloth with spotty lining. Internal pocket and snap fastner.

Red oilcloth outer with Black strawberry print lining, Internal pocket, key chain and magnetic snap closure.