Elephant's Bottom

Materials

  • One fat eighth main fabric
  • One fat eighth lining fabric
  • Two pieces 15 x 20cm (6 x 8in) wadding
  • Two buttons or Velcro to fasten

Finished Size

12.5 x 18cm (5 x 7in)

Where to buy

You could cut fabric pieces from old clean clothes that you no longer need or you can buy some from a charity shop. Or get a grown up to treat you to some new fabrics from a local quilt shop.

You can download a pdf copy of the original magazine pages for this project here, Games Console Case

SEW SAFE Remember that an iron gets very hot so be careful when using; please ask an adult for help

This case is ideal to protect your handheld games console and cartridges. It can be adapted to fit any of the systems available: measure your console and add 1in to the length and width for the fabric pieces. You can personalise your case with machine embroidery, appliqué or embellish it with sequins, beads or other decorations.

Getting Started

  1. Cut two 6 x 8in pieces from the main fabric and lining fabric.
  2. If you are going to fasten your case with buttons you will also need to cut a 1 x 8in strip from your main fabric. Fold this strip in half lengthwise and press to give a centre crease. Open the strip out and fold each long edge to the centre crease, then fold in half to give a 1⁄4 x 8in strip. Press and sew along the open edge to secure. Cut the strip into two 4in lengths.
  3. Take one piece of main fabric and, right side up, place one looped 4in strip at either end, approx 2in from the edge. Pin and stitch in place. See Figure 1.
    4. Figure 1: Sewing the button loops in place
    Figure 1: Sewing the button loops in place
  4. Right sides together, place a piece of lining fabric on top of the main fabric, followed by a piece of wadding. Taking a 1⁄4in seam, sew across the long edge with the loops through all three layers. This is the back of your case.
  5. Repeat for the other piece of main fabric, lining and wadding, but there won’t be any loops this time, to give the front of your case.
  6. Lay the front and back case pieces out and press, trimming the wadding along the seam if necessary. See Figure 2.
    7. Figure 2: Laying the front and back case pieces out out
    Figure 2: Laying the front and back case pieces out out
  7. Right sides together, place the front and back case pieces together, matching up the main fabric and lining pieces and with the wadding behind the main fabric pieces. Pin and stitch all round the edges leaving a 3in gap in the lining
Games Console Case

Finishing

  1. Through the gap in the lining, turn the case right side out; slipstitch the gap in the lining closed and push down into the main case.
  2. If using buttons, sew one button at either end of the front of your case, 2in from the edge to match the loops on the back of the case.
  3. If using a Velcro fastening, sew along the inside top edge of the case.

First published in Popular Patchwork May 2009