Handmade iPad bag with cat motif 

copyright by Lynn Bridge

If you read my last post, you’ll know I am fretting over whether or not I am treating my iPad as a doll, and whether or not I’m having a religious experience when I use my Apple product.  Worries based on preliminary scientific research, of course.

On my unscientific research journey, I have carried my device in several bags designed as purses (what we call ’em in Texas), pocketbooks, handbags, or small carry-alls.  I have been studying ease of access, protection of the iPad from scratches and bumps, weight and clumsiness of the bag, and convenience of the pockets in which I carry my stylus and screen-wiping pad.

Before spending a lot of time manufacturing one of my fancy 3-D floral designs or abstracts, I decided to make a bag with simple decor, and field test it in order to check my theories about the perfect elements of an iPad bag. Also, I had in the back of my mind the possibility that, if the bags turn out to turn heads, I’d go into production and sales.  And, I wouldn’t want to make anything, especially not hand-made one-of-a-kind equipment, that was flawed.

I pulled from my stash some unbleached muslin and some polyester batting and set to work; measuring, cutting, and drawing the lines for machine quilting layers together, for surely, my iPad needs iPadding.  I raided my embroidery floss box and came up with sepia for sketching a cat in thread.  (Yes, loosely, you are seeing a portrait of my cat, Lucy.)  I cut off the bottom of a sleeve from a silk jacket I liberated for very little cash from a local used-clothes warehouse; that’s what I used for lining.

Good thing I tested the bag!  It looks charming, but I found a lot of flaws in the design, including the tie closure, the placement of the interior pocket, and lastly, the wash-ability (silk print is NOT colorfast, even in cold water).  After stripping out the lining and putting in a new one, completely washable this time, and re-positioning the interior pocket, I am well on my way to design utility.  However, the ties remain, and will continue to annoy me.  When I want access to my iPad, I want to pull that sucker out in a big hurry and start sketching or writing or searching.

I love to use my iPad for sketching-on-the-go, and in places where messy charcoal, ink, paint, and graphite simply don’t belong.  You might know from my post “Win-Win” that I look for models in places where folks crave cash for the simple pleasures of electricity, food, and bus fare.  Below is an iPad sketch of a model in just this situation.  Bonus for me is that he is a real history buff, so he regaled me not only with his own history, but some of the Romanovs, a favorite topic.  Anyone in the market for a good research assistant?

Mr. L. by Lynn Bridge