Friday, January 1, 2010

Leapster Carry Case Tutorial.

I've been asked about this little bag by a few people and as promised I'm posting the sewww simple instructions. I am a frugal little gal, as most of you know and I hate paying for things. We were able to purchase the boys gifts at around half of their normal price, but the accessories for the Leapster 2 were another story. So instead of purchasing the adorable little case, I made my own. It's sturdy, protective and my little guy loves it!
I used all scraps to make this...that's how little you need.

To Start you need:
-5 pieces of fabric 7" by 10" for body, lining, and pocket.
-4 strips of fabric 3" by 15" for handles.
-2 pieces of fabric 4" by 2.5" for tab.
-1 swatch of velcro.
-Fusible fleece.

1. Make a cute little curve around each side edge of your body, lining, and pocket pieces. You can use the Leapster shape as your guide if needed.
2. Apply fusible fleece wrong side of your body pieces, lining pieces, 2 handle pieces, one tab piece, and half of your pocket piece.
3. Fold pocket piece in half as shown and sew it to one of the lining pieces (down sides and across bottom) as shown.
4. With lining pieces right sides together, sew down both sides and across the bottom, leaving a 3" opening in the bottom to turn later.
5. With right sides together, take one lining handle piece and one body handle piece and sew around all four edges leaving a 2" opening to turn. Turn right sides out, press and top stitch around all four edges. Repeat with other handle pieces. They should look like this when finished:
6. Apply velcro to the tab's lining piece. With right sides together, sew down both edges and across bottom of tab. Turn right sides out and top stitch. Center tab on the back side of body piece, with tab facing down and stitch in place. 7. On the right sides of each body piece, sew handles in place, as shown. Center other half of velcro in between the handle on the opposite side of tab. With body pieces right sides together, sew down both sides and across the bottom.
8. Pin handles and tab facing down. Place body inside of lining with right sides together and pin around top edge, as shown:
9. Sew all the way around the top edge.
10. Pull the entire bag through the opening you left in the bottom of the bag.
11. Top stitch opening closed and then top stitch all the way around the top edge of the bag.

This little case fits the leapster 2, several games, and the computer cord. It's snug too, so things don't fall out.

2 comments:

Kim said...

I wish I was as talented as you. You do such amazing things. Have you thought about getting a booth at a popular craft fair for the next holiday season? Your stuff is really great!

Greene Family said...

Love it! I'll have to remember this post for whenever Simon gets a Leapster (we were thinking next Christmas). You make amazing bags and things, and it is so nice of you to share the "how to"!