Day 3 -- Handmade Gift-o-Rama Tutorial -- seven thirty-three

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Hello all you wonderful Country Chic Cottage Readers! I am Kim from seven thirty three and I am really excited to be participating in Angie’s 12 Days Of Handmade Christmas.

I am working on a camping themed family gift basket for a Christmas Gift Exchange and have been knocking my brain trying to figure out what to add to the basket for my 16 year old cousin. As I was thinking about it I remembered what I did when camping (we and the family I am buying for are RV campers) at that age. MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC! And so I came up with this baby:

A MP3 Player Pocket Pillowcase – it is exactly what it sounds like. There is a pocket with strap to hold an MP3 player while napping or relaxing. Keeps that MP3 player right where you want it.And now I am going to share how you can make one for yourself!Materials Needed:3/4 yard Main Pillowcase Fabric1/4 Yard Contrasting Fabric for CuffScrap Piece of Fabric for Pocket (or you can can buy a little extra of your contrasting fabric)Pre-wash all fabricsStep 1: Cut your main fabric piece to 26″ x Width of Fabric (mine was 45″ wide)Step 2: Fold your Contrasting fabric in half (lengthwise), wrong sides together and iron.

Step 3: Match the seams up with one of the short sides of your main fabric, right sides together and sew the entire length with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 4: Use a zigzag stitch down the enitre length of the edge to help prevent fraying or unraveling.

Step 5: Prepare your pocket. Measure your MP3 player. Add 1″-2″ for seam allowance. I made my pocket big enough to fit an iPod Touch so I cut my scrap fabric with the following dimensions: 11″x5.25″ to create a finished pocket of 5.5″x5″.

Step 6: Fold the pocket in half, wrong sides together. And sew along the three edges, leaving a small hole so you can flip it right side out and iron flat.

Step 7: Add Velcro to the top center of the pocket.Step 8: Prepare the strap closure. I cut my fabric to 3″x3″ and folded in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew along top and the side, leaving the bottom of the strap open and flip right side out.

Step 9: Zigzap stitch the bottom of the strap closed and add velcro.

Step 10: Fold the pillowcase in half (wrong sides together) and locate where you want to place the pocket. I suggest placing it on the top corner next to the side seam and the fold. I placed mine about 2 inches from the top and 3 inches from the side. Pin in place.

Step 11: Sew the pocket on with a 5/8″ seam allowance, making sure you close the hole you left when you flipped it right side out. Also leaving the top open is a must!

Step 12: Place the strap where you want it. I placed mine a little inside the pocket to hide the seam. Pin in place. Sew a straight stitch across the bottom of the strap several times to enure it is secure to the pillowcase. Also take your time and make sure the to velcro pieces line up.

Step 13: Fold your pillowcase in half, right sides together and sew along the two edges with a 1/4″ seam allowance. If you are like me and didn’t cut off the salvage edges don’t worry, just use a larger seam allowance on that edge. Mine was 1″! Step 14: The easiest way to finish is to zigzag both edges and boom, your done. But because I had the huge seam allowance I folded both edges in and ironed flat and then used a 5/8″ seam allowance to sew shut. This encloses the raw edges and I believe is called a french seam (sorry, no pictures).Step 15: Insert pillow, insert MP3 player, lay down and enjoy!

{I have plans on adding an iTunes gift card inside the pocket.}Fast, simple and fun!Happy Sewing.I hope you enjoyed todays tutorial! I would love for you to stop by for a visit. We have lots of fun things going on over at seven thirty three. Last week I shared had to make this earring tree:

And I offer lots of downloadable freebies, including this awesome Meal Planner:

We are in full swing with our 12 days of handmade gifts! Check out all the posts and be sure to follow the CCC so you don’t miss the rest! Each day there will be a great Christmas tutorial and a feature on a great handmade shop!
Posted at The Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
Posted at the Christmas Gift Link up on Creation Corner.
Posted at the Sewing Party on Whimsey Couture.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~