IMPORTANT NOTICE! This is a text file. It may not print out properly in a web browser. If you are having problems printing this document, save it to your hard drive (select "save" in the "file" menu) And open it with any text editor, such as notepad, wordpad, or word. Copyright 2005 SavvySeams. Some rights reserved. Visit http://www.savvyseams.com/ or email info@savvyseams.com for more information. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA. Mini MP3 Player Case Pattern Another addition to the MP3 player case line, this case fits Apple's iPod mini. Make it out of any fabrics that don't ravel, like felt, fleece, or ultrasuede. Materials: * Fabric - less than 1/4 yard each of an outside and a lining fabric that won't ravel * A scrap of vinyl * A scrap of mesh or fine netting (I use mosquito netting from REI) * Interfacing * A button Optional: for a shoulder/neck strap, you also need two small clips, a piece of bias tape or ribbon at least 1" wide and 2 inches longer than your future strap, and an equivalent amount of fabric. Step 1: Cut out the pieces for the front. You need one of fabric, one of lining (I used the same as the outside fabric), and one of interfacing. Step 2: Trim the interfacing so it is slightly smaller on the outside and the spaces for the screen and scroll wheel are slightly larger. This is so the interfacing won't peek out in the finished piece. Step 3: Cut a small square of vinyl about 1/2" larger than the screen on all sides. Layer the pieces as follows: lining, interfacing, vinyl, fabric. Everything should be right side out. Pin the vinyl in place -- be careful when you pin not to put any holes in the area to cover the screen. Pin holes in vinyl are permanent! Step 4: Stitch around the edge of the screen, through all layers. Draw the thread ends to the back and knot and clip them. Step 5: Now trim off the extra vinyl below... ... and above the screen. Step 6: Cut and square of mesh and put it under the top layer of fabric. The mesh should be pinned in place. Step 7: Stitch the mesh in place. I like to use a straight stitch followed by a zigzag stitch. The zigzag stitch will pull the mesh taught giving you a nice "scrolling" surface. Step 8: Trim off the extra mesh. Step 9: Pin all layers together in the strap area. Step 10: Sew the edges of the strap together with a straight or a decorative stitch. Stitches that result in thread wrapped around the raw edges, like a zigzag, triple zigzag or blanket stitch will give the most polished finish in my opinion. Step 11: Put in the buttonhole. Step 12: Cut out the straps. You need 4 of fabric and 3 of interfacing. Pair them as shown in the photo: (1) is fabric-interfacing-fabric, (2) and (3) and fabric-interfacing. (NOTE: straps (2) and (3) and for use with the neck strap. If you wish to omit the neck strap, you may also omit these straps.) Step 13: For (2) and (3), fold in half and tuck the interfacing between the two layers. Trim it if necessary. Step 14: Zigzag or use a decorative stitch and stitch along the open side of (2) and (3) and along both sides of (1). Step 15: Put one end of strap (1) between the fabric and interfacing layer of the front piece. Position it so it will wrap over the top between the hold button and headphone jack. Baste it in place. Step 16: Insert straps (2) and (3) and the edges of the front (but not on the sides - see pictures of the finished case at the bottom if you're confused). Baste in place. Step 17: Use a decorative stitch across the top edge to sew the edges together and the straps in place. Step 18: Cut out the back pieces. You need one of fabric, one of lining, and one of interfacing. Step 19: Layer the back piece together, right sides out, with the interfacing in the middle. Baste the sides together, and finish the bottom with a decorative stitch. Leave the top edge open. Step 20: Tuck the other end of the strap (1) into the open edge of the back piece about 3/8". Check that the opening space between the back and front is slightly large than your player. Baste in place. Step 21: Tuck the ends of the straps (2) and (3) into the open edge of the back piece. You want the overlap to be about 1/4" - this is less than for strap (1). This way they will bump out a little bit from the top of the player to give some room for the neck strap clips. Baste them in place. Step 22: Use a decorative stitch to secure the edges of the back piece together and to keep the straps in place. You may also wish to add additional stitching to the front at this time. Step 23: Fold the back piece down, with the right sides together (wrong sides out!). Step 24: Stitch up the sides with a 1/4" seam allowance. Another view of stitching up the sides. Check how the case fits the player before going on to step 25, and adjust the side seams if necessary. It should be a little loose - it will be tighter when the seam allowances are on the inside. Step 25: Turn your case right side out. Be patient and careful so you do not damage the vinyl. Step 26: Put your player in the case and sew on the button! If you wish to make the shoulder strap, continue on. If not, you're already done! The finished case. Another view of the finished case. Back view. Step 27: For the strap, you need a piece of ribbon or bias tape 1" wide and 2" longer than the desired length for the your strap. Use this as a template to cut a piece of fabric the same size. Step 28: Lay the fabric and ribbon/tape together, with the right sides out. Finish the edges with a decorative stitch. Step 29: For about 2" at each end, fold the edges into the middle of the ribbon side. Zigzag or otherwise stitch in place. Step 30: Thread the skinny ends through the clips and fold them back on themselves. Stitch in place using a zigzag stitch with a very short length. All that thread will cover the raw edges. And you're done! More glamour shots. The top of the case with the strap attached. If you've made a cozy home for your mini MP3 player, send a photo to info@savvyseams.com for inclusion in the visitors' gallery.