Sunday, December 19, 2010

Santa's workshop

I was hit by a sudden panic two weeks ago.  So I've been busy.  However, I'm now less stressed.










About the little pile of  zipped leather containers pictured above - some time ago one of my local sewing friends gave out a pattern for an ingenious case for eyeglasses.  Hers was made from fabric but I chose to use leather, most of which came from thrift store leather skirts.

The piece is 21.5" long by 2 5/8" (52 x 6.5 cm) wide, with round ends. Interface the piece with fusible.  Find a zipper of about 24" (60 cm) in length.

Sew the zipper to the leather, starting with the bottom end of the zipper at a point about 2.5" (6cm) from one end and continuing to a similar point at the other end.  Then repeat, going in the opposite direction.  You may have to rip and re-establish the stopping point to ensure that it zips up evenly (you will immediately see what I mean if you make one and it doesn't).  The further away from the end you start, the fatter and shorter the resulting case will be.  I thought 2.5" produced a case with a good length to width ratio.

When sewing the zipper around the round end, you will need to clip into the zipper tape to let it curve.

Then topstitch from the right side.

Next, you have to trim the open ends of your zipper and secure them inside with a couple of hand stitches.


To line, cut the same piece from thin (100 weight) polar fleece or similar fabric.  Remove about .25" (7mm) from the edges.

Coat the wrong side of the leather piece with rubber cement.  Let it dry a bit, then place your fleece piece on top, patting it down so it sticks to the glue.
Attach the lining to the zipper tape with hand stitches.

Start to zip ...

And you're done!

18 comments:

  1. How ingenious! I've never seen this before. It would make a great pencil case for the kids too. Thanks for taking the time to share.

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  2. What a clever idea to make a unique gift. I like the bright, contrasting colors of the zippers and the leather.

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  3. I think all your gifts are wonderful!

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  4. This is sooooo cool. Thank you for the great directions. I'm going to enjoy making your recent jacket and now these great cases.

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  5. I love the jammies especially!! Great job! I haven't been able to sew at all in the last three weeks and it is killing me!

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  6. I'm loving those pajamas!! And off to see if I can score some leather at Goodwill...MUST try making one of those cases. Thank you so much for sharing the directions!

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  7. Wow. You're industriuous! I love the little eyeglass cases and the pajama piping is pretty great too!

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  8. Great cases and PJ... what about the mink coat ?

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  9. What an awesome gift you gave us. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

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  10. What a clever little container! A neat trick and a cool result.

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  11. Hi Kay.- Only wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. My best wishes for another year full of happy sewing ...!!!

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  12. You've put us all to shame! Thanks for sharing the purse pattern.

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  13. OMG!!! This is the perfect gift for friends who have everthing!! I have a stash of colorful leather, now I have a game plan!!!

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  14. This is such a cute idea! You've made such great gifts. A gold star for you!

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  15. Ingenious! Love the eye glass case and what a great a gift!

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  16. OMG, Kay, how cute is this! I wonder if I have enough time to make a bunch for my book club buddies. Thanks!

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