9flights

How to make a 17" Laptop Sleeve

I made this laptop sleeve tonight, while watching "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" on Netflix streaming. Best thing is I made it from stuff I had laying around, so it didn't cost a thing.

All tucked in. It's a simple design, just a piece of craft grade felt sewn up on two sides. I added the little dark grey felt grip as a design element. I lined this up and sewed it freehand and once it was on I noticed it was a little crooked. Oops. Oh well.

The tuckable flap pulls out to become a mousepad when the laptop is in use. I found that I need one when working in my office, the local coffee house. I've been using my Kindle Sleeve and find the felt to be a great surface for the optical mouse.

I would like to find an 1/8 inch felt and make another sleeve with more padding, but until then, this will do.

30 minute Kindle Sleeve

A few weeks ago we went on a trip and I needed to find something quick to protect my kindle in my purse.  So I grabbed some craft felt I had laying around and threw it in my bag with some scissors, needle, and thread.

It took me about 30 minutes total to make because I sewed it by hand in the car while we drove.  Total elapsed time was more like 3 or 4 hours because I like to stop and talk to Mr. 9flights while he drives.  And then the kids were whining and crabby and I had to give them juice or a snack or pick the toys up off the floor and whatnot.

Despite all of that, I like the way it turned out.  I'm thinking of making another from a thicker grade of felt, for shock protection.  But this works for now.

Next up, a felt envelope for my laptop.  It's a 17 inch Samsung R780, and it doesn't fit in any of my old laptop bags.  It does slip nicely into my 'zine sized purse, but it pops up out of the top.  And I'm always worried I'll get pennies or detritus in the USB slots when I carry it that way.  This one will be machine sewn, for a sleeker, less wabi sabi look.

Sewing for Toddlers

My girl is just turned 3. Every day since, she gets up in the morning and says, "Momma, I want to sew!" We pull out her lacing cards and she sits sewing for a good long time.

Sewing teaches fine motor skills, focus, reasoning, and a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency.  All skills I want my children to have.  I'm sure she sees this more as "being like Momma" right now, and that makes me proud, too.  I can't wait to teach her how to use a sewing machine, but that is a few years away.

She is not the only one that can sew.  Her twin, my boy, can sew, too.  He likes to thread his "beads" more than using the lacing cards right now.  His favorite beads are the fish.  They come with a little wooden guide to put the thread on so they can get it through the beads, but they can now do it without the guide with some concentration, as you can see.

I'm sure if we had rockets and stars or dinosaurs he would spend even more time with the beads.  Must send a note to Grandfather to make some wooden rockets, stars, and dinosaur beads!

These beautiful lacing cards are by Eeboo and say they are for ages 5 and up, but with the proper supervision, my 3 year olds can do it just fine.  Not in a pattern around the picture, but through the holes any way they like.  I call it a stretch task.  I believe stretch tasks are important.

The threading beads are Bambini Beads Aqua Zoo and Bambini Beads Laundry Day by Haba for ages 3 and up.  I bought these for them when they were about 18 months old, and again a stretch task that we'd do sitting at the table.