about shop patterns projects printables extras sponsorship wild olive twitter flickr pinterest subscribe

seeing shadows...

We're just around the corner from a major holiday. OK, yes, Valentine's Day...but before that, Groundhog Day. For those of us in cold climates, the arrival of a small furry creature can be key. I'm still a few days early, but I wanted to give you time to be making something fun for this amazing weather prediction holiday.

groundhog case

What's inside this sweet little groundhog? My iPod Touch!

groundhog case

You can make one too...you'll just need felt (brown and black or gray) and embroidery floss. You'll also need some basic tools: paper, pencil, scissors, needle, pins.

The first step is to make a pattern. To do this trace around your iPod, or phone. Around that, add a little bit of space. The amount depends on the thickness of your phone/iPod. I added about 1/4", which was more than I needed. Draw some ears...they can be very simple. This will be for cutting the front and back out of brown.

Use that first pattern to make another piece that is exactly the same at the top, but is 1" longer, and squared off at the bottom. This will be for the shadow flap in black or gray.

groundhog case

Cut out your pieces.

groundhog case

Stitch a face to the front. I sketched an idea first, but just stitched freehand.

Layer your pieces as follows: Shadow, Back, iPod/Phone, Front.

Make sure the ears line up. Wrap the bottom of the shadow around so that it overlaps with the front. Now you know how to place it, and you may want to pin it with the flap on the back side of the front piece.

groundhog case

Stitch across the bottom with a running stitch through the shadow and the front piece.

groundhog case

Pin the front and back together, and continue stitching around the whole groundhog until you get back to where you started stitching the shadow/front.

groundhog case

groundhog case

You're done! Slide your iPod/phone in place and wait to see if we'll have an early spring!

NOTE: I have not attached a closure to mine. The felt sticks to itself enough for my use. But you could add a button or snap to the back very easily.

40 comments:

  1. Genius! When I get my iPhone, I am definitely making this... Thank you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love it! Groundhog Day is my fave holiday all year. This is ace!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ummmm...must make NOW

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree.. genius... and and u could use this idea to make a variety of animals just by a little tweaking!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You SO could make this into other animals! Wheels are turning....

    ReplyDelete
  6. So, so cute. The shadow idea is just genius!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am al over this---adorable: I need to make 3!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Super cute! thanks for sharing the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is disgustingly darling. I now long to have an iPod just for the excuse to make this!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous2:42 PM

    Adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Super cute idea! I love how the felt doesn't look like kids play felt...maybe it's the color?!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you all soo much!

    Linda: The felt I used is wool blend felt from Joann. It comes by the yard and is wonderful to work with!

    ReplyDelete
  13. OHHH, he's so CUTE!!! I blogged your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-groundhog-ipod-touch-cover/2010/01/30/

    --Anne

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is just beyond cute. The shadow made me aww out loud. It's fabulous! Thanks so much for this. I might have to make this little guy- I love him! I'll be linking as well.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wheels are turning for sure. What a fantastic little face she's got.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is cute. Groundhog Day is one of my favourite movies. No groundhogs in Oz though... and no cute tradition like this...

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is THE cutest thing ever. Love it :-)

    (found you via Rachel @ OnePrettyThing!)

    ReplyDelete
  18. How on earth did you breath in only air and distill it into this creative magic?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Adorable! That's so cute that you remembered, everyone seems to forget about Groundhog day!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial. Super cute and easy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the great idea, I stitched one up this afternoon for my ipod touch.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/wundoroo/4322867007/

    ReplyDelete
  22. So cute! Posted a link on my blog:
    http://girlsliketrucks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Whoa! Thank you again for all the wonderful comments and love! I'm really quite astounded by the number of visits!

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's cute! Is it ok for my cell phone because I still don't have an ipod?! Thx for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is very cute! And so simple. I wish I had found your post before now. My brother's birthday is Feb 2nd, and this would have been fun for him (even as a joke.) Thanks for sharing! I've posted a link.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous11:14 PM

    awesome design so simple......

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lackshan8:55 AM

    this design is so awesome i'm having great fun making this

    if you have any new ideas please email me at lackshan48@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. this is so adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ah I am so making this :) It looks amazing :D

    ReplyDelete
  30. That is SOOOOOO adorable! I am making a rabbit for Easter like that! I'm going to make the rabbit holding a carrot for a place for my headphones to come out and I'm going to cut a hole in the back of the felt in the back right before the "shadow" so I can use the case 24/7!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thats cool....
    I really like the work you shared. This pouch is looking very good and its a really creativity...

    Britto

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous3:56 PM

    Guess what? I'm gonna do an Elmo ver hehe ^^ Will post if I succeed ya? <3 u!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love this!! found you via Rachael at Imagine Gnats!! I used your idea and adapted it to make a pop up puppet today. I linked back here so people could see your adorable iPod pocket!! http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2012/02/happy-ground.html Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sosososossososososossoossoosososososoooooo CUTE!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great tutorial!
    I started with a groundhog for myself, but my friends started asking for other animals as well :) So far I've made a bunny and a bear ( check them out here: http://imgur.com/Me5DX ), the next one will be a mouse I think :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. comment as tu mis le nuage?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you mean the shadow? (Sorry, Google translated it as cloud, so I'm not entirely sure what you meant) It is stitched to the bottom of the front, then stays closed with the felt sticking to the felt. You could add snaps to the ears if you'd like.

      Delete
  37. that is such a great idea i need to make it.

    ReplyDelete
  38. You can find them anywhere from your local stores and online shops. There is endless availability of mobile phone cases but the most favorite are the ones made of leather.

    e_cell

    ReplyDelete
  39. Great work!

    You can visit our blog about felt: www.ovejasdefieltro.com

    ReplyDelete

I often reply to comments in the comments...check back if you have a question!