Finding balance in the creative me.

Camera Case

This year I want to explore more of my creativity ....  not just mass production of leotards... but different projects...  I find that when I don't have enough opportunity to be creative, to be challenged by an idea and how I might bring that to fruition, I lose energy and focus.

One area I really want to explore more is learning a bit more about photography and then editing the images to convey the right messages.

To that end I've just become the proud owner of my own DSLR camera !!!  I've done a little playing with the one at work but wanted my own that I could really experiment with.

So what is the first thing I do?  Well after the initial set up, my first impulse was to give it a case :)
Yep ... still had to sew !!

I am amazed however by the cool effects that can be achieved with this camera, I look forward to learning all about them and I really hope that not only do I enjoy playing with this new piece of equipment but that I can use it to enrich my family's life and the lives of others in ways... well that I can't even imagine right now :)

How to:

If you'd like to know how I made this little bag....

Here's what I did... a bit of a Tutorial on a basic drawstring bag for my new camera :)  One that fits into my normal handbag.

I started out choosing some fabric left over from another project around 25cm of each fabric was plenty and around 20cm of foam sheeting.

After tracing around the camera, I created a base shape. 

 I then measured the circumference of the shape and the length of the camera.  For the walls of the bag, I added 7cm to the length and 1cm to the circumference and this was the rectangle I cut out.  For the foam I cut to exactly the circumference and the exact height.

I didn't have any ribbon to create a casing for the drawstring so cut a 6cm wide strip of the contrast .

From there I simply stitched together the short ends of each of the side fabric to make two tubes, leaving a turning hole in the seam of the inside fabric.

I pressed over the edges of the strip of fabric for the casing.

 I Measured the height of the strip using the foam insert as a guide

  I  top stitched the strip on top and bottom to the outside tube, leaving a small opening at the centre front.

 Next I sewed the base piece into the bottom of each tube.

To join the outside and inside together I put right sides together and sewed around the top 

Next I fitted the foam pieces on the inside of the outer bag, then turned it all through.

 I cheated and stitched the turning hole together on the machine.

 I top stitched the top of the bag and at the base of the drawstring casing.. this is to contain the foam.

I created a tie from another scrap of material sewn inside out and pulled through.  This I threaded through the casing with a safety pin.

 I used a clasp from an old jacket and then added a bit of colour with some buttons :) 

 And look it fits nicely in my handbag with all the other bits and pieces... maybe a double sided glasses case should be the next sewing project ??