How to Sew an iPod Carrying Case

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Measure your iPod.

   Get all three dimensions: length, width and thickness.
   
   Add half an inch (1.25cm) in all directions for seam allowances. , A little extra is better than a little less at this point, so be generous with your measurements and cutting.
   
   An easy way to do this is to just wrap the cloth around the iPod and cut an inch or so away from the edges. , Take care and be as precise as possible with the tracing.
   
   Neatness at this step makes things go more smoothly later on in construction., This will form a rounded "triangle".,,, Stitch approximately a 1/16th of an inch (1-2 cm) outside the lines you sketched.,,, Note:
   This is why the double seam... if one stitching line gets accidentally clipped, we won't have to re-sew the line with the opening partially cut. ,,,, The fusible webbing should adhere the layers, so don't place the iron on the material until it is exactly lined up.
   
   Note:
   You may also top stitch the edge of the "rounded triangle" opening to stabilize it. , It "should" fit, but if anything is "off" at this point, just start over with new cloth and tracings., Trace all edges while the view screen is placed correctly in the opening.
   
   Remember to mark the iPod's top,bottom and side edges on both sides (layers) of material.,,,, The top and bottom pinned edges should be exactly parallel to each other.,, Repeat at the opposite end.,,,,,,, Pin it if necessary.,, The author used 8 thicknesses of 1/16th inch ribbon.,,,,,, Mark the center., Sew through all four layers, and backstitch to prevent the seam unraveling.
   
   Note:
   This will leave the "corners" open for your earphone jack and for access to the "lock" button. , A view of the finished product!
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   Step 2: Cut two rectangles of cloth the size of your iPod plus seam allowances.

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   Step 3: Trace the shape of your iPod's "face" onto the paper side of your fusible webbing.

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   Step 4: Draw a line from the corners of your view screen to the outer edge of the clickwheel.

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   Step 5: Line up the tracing even with the material and approximately one inch from the edge on the "wrong" side of the material and iron the fusible webbing (with faceplate sketch) onto the "back" side or "wrong" side of your material.

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   Step 6: Lay your two pieces of material with "front" or "right" sides together and pin.

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   Step 7: Carefully sew around your rounded triangle shape.

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   Step 8: Sew around the perimeter again

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   Step 9: with the needle piercing just outside the first seam (0.5 cm or less).

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    Step 10: Cut a slit inside the rounded triangle area for your scissors to go through and cut the center area out

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    Step 11: leaving a quarter inch (3cm) seam allowance.

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    Step 12: Clip the seam allowance up to

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    Step 13: but not into

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    Step 14: the seam line.

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    Step 15: Peel off the paper backing for the fusible webbing.

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    Step 16: Poke one rectangle through the hole and

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    Step 17: Smooth it.

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    Step 18: Iron the material flat.

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    Step 19: Test fit to see if the opening is shaped correctly for your iPod.

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    Step 20: Mark the EXACT edge placement directly onto your material with tailor's chalk or even pencil.

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    Step 21: Determine where your top and bottom edges will need to be... and fold the edges over and between the layers accordingly.

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    Step 22: Pin the folded edges in place.

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    Step 23: Repeat for the "top" edge and pin in place.

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    Step 24: Test fit again... Measure distance between pinned edges and make any adjustments before sewing.

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    Step 25: Top stitch both of the folded edges

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    Step 26: leaving at least half an inch of folded edge unsewn at each end of the seams.

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    Step 27: Fold back one layer from the non stitched edge and pin.

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    Step 28: Fold the entire thing so that the unpinned "flaps" line up.

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    Step 29: Test fit once more

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    Step 30: and mark where your side seam should fall.

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    Step 31: Pin the flaps together and sew at your marked seam line.

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    Step 32: Test Fit again and make any necessary adjustments

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    Step 33: either sewing a bit closer to the lines to snug the fit down or by ripping out the seam and sewing further away to allow more space.

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    Step 34: Trim the seam allowance to 1/4th an inch from the seam when you are happy with the fit.

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    Step 35: Unpin the flaps.

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    Step 36: Lay one flap down smooth over the seam.

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    Step 37: Fold the remaining flap under itself and slip stitch or "blind stitch" the opening closed.

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    Step 38: Make an attachment point out of several layers of ribbon.

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    Step 39: Pass the ribbon through either a D-ring or other clip type ring.

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    Step 40: Stitch the ribbon ends together so that the ring cannot slide off.

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    Step 41: Open up a hole between the layers in the non-topstitched section of the top edge.

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    Step 42: Slide the sewn end of your ribbon attachment point into the hole between the layers.

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    Step 43: Top stitch the hole closed

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    Step 44: backstitching several times to ensure that the stitching will not fail later.

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    Step 45: Test fit to determine the exact placement of the bottom edge seam.

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    Step 46: Top Stitch only an inch or so of the center.

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    Step 47: Finally!

Detailed Guide

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