I’m Participating in a Contest
I’m participating in Stitched in Color’s Shelburne Falls Contest. If you remember on March 3rd I teased you with a photo of fabric.
Then I told you if you wanted more information you needed to stay connected. Well here’s my first installment. The contest rules are really quite simple
* * * * *
- Make whatever you want
- Use one or more fabrics in the Shelburne Falls collection.
* * * * *
That’s it. Easy breezy right? Well, that is unless you are someone who just has to meddle with the pattern. Guess who that someone is? You guessed it, ME! I selected the Tag-Along pattern by This & That. I purchased the pattern at Life’s A Stitch and the fabric came from Fabricworm. The pattern itself is just fine. It’s the dimensions I’m going to mess around with.
iPad Tote
It’s been my desire to locate a pattern to construct a tote suitable to carry my iPad and keyboard. I am already protecting my iPad with a purchased case so that’s not an issue. I simply want something, besides my purse, that has handles and a little extra padding, to carry my iPad and accessories in.
The internet is the first place I searched for my iPad/keyboard tote. I reviewed page after page of available options but found none that met my specifications. Next I thought about inventing my own and creating a tutorial out of the process. I took multiple measurements, drew numerous pictures and pondered the assembly process for hours. A sample mock-up was even created. You can see from the photos below that I had a
separate pocket for the keyboard
as well as my iPad.
I even included a little slot for storing my stylus.
Planned but not added were handles, another pocket for miscellaneous small items as well as a tab to keep the whole conglomerate securely closed. I never got around to adding those additional features because, this was, after all just a mock-up.
The assembly process was really very simple. My goal was for it to be easy. If I was going to offer it to my readers I didn’t want a laborious set of instructions. Cutting, stitching and pressing took less than an hour. What resulted from my first attempt at building an iPad/keyboard tote wasn’t too bad.
It obviously needed to be slightly larger because the room above the electronics was not at all adequate.
Once I established that further refinements were in order I decided to pause and ponder my options. I could continue refining my own pattern or switch over to assembling the project for the Shelburne Falls contest. The most logical direction was to switch gears and head in the direction of the Shelburne Falls contest.
Tag-Along
Once I made the choice to set aside the exploration of my own pattern I dug out the items I had purchased for the contest. The Tag-Along tote by This & That is a cute little bag.
The pattern utilizes charm squares as well as several other fabric pieces. Combined together they add spark to the over-all appearance. As I gathered my supplies my mind began racing. What if I modified this pattern to meet my needs? I could change a few measurements and perhaps create a hybrid version. I had more than enough fabric to make the tote larger so why not. Then I thought, there I go again making changes to a pattern. Oh, well. Life’s what you make of it. Let’s hope I don’t mess this up.
That’s The Plan
So now you know my plan. I hope you are as excited as I am and will return for part two in my Tag-Along journey. As always thank so much for sharing this time with me. I look forward to seeing you soon.
