DS or DSi Case Tutorial

Happy New Year's Eve! :)

I'm moving at the pace of a slug this week! The holidays have definitely put me in relax mode. I'm not looking forward to next week! :)

So, did any other kids unwrap DSi's this Christmas? I actually still feel a little sick about the DSi my daughter opened this year. We aren't really a video game family and I don't really like them. We don't have a Wii or any other video game systems. Don't get me wrong, when we are visiting, I'm down for the occasional game of Mario Kart, I just don't really care to have Mario in my house full time. I have a bit of an addictive personalty (thankfully so far this has only applied to sewing marathons and other crafty endeavors), but I could see myself going a bit nuts determined to beat Bowser and my kids having to fend for themselves. I don't worry about my kids, because I probably would never hand the controller over! :)

Anyway I wasn't sold on the DSi. It is the only thing my daughter asked for but I was pretty certain she wouldn't play it. Turns out I was right. Since Christmas I've seen her turn it on twice, and once was to take pictures. She does have it with her at all times though (she likes to carry little bags and purses).

This is the case I made for her, and hopefully will be helpful to some of you. I was going to buy her a hard case, but all of the ones I saw in the store looked cheap (but weren't cheap) and had characters on them (I don't like characters).
This would work for a boy too, just leave off the strap, or leave it on.

It has a small zippered pocket to hold a few games when you're on the go.

It will fit a DS, DS Lite or DSi perfectly. It measures approximately 4.5 inches X 6 inches.


Want to make one? Read on! :)
Your Pieces...

1. Flap Piece- 5 inches X 4 inches
2. Lower Back Piece- 5 inches X 4.5 inches
3. Upper Back Piece- 5 inches X 2.25 inches
4. Front Piece- 5 X 6.5 inches
5. Lining Flap Piece- 5 inches X 4 inches
6. Inside Pocket Piece #1- 5 inches X 2.5 inches
7. Inside Pocket Piece #2- 5 inches X 3 inches
8. Inside Lining- 5 inches X 6.5 inches
9. Same as #8
10. Strap- 31 inches X 2.5 inches (Optional)

Also cut fusible fleece for pieces #1, #2, #3, #4 and #10 and fuse to pieces (not shown). 
You will also need a 2-3 inch piece of touch tape and a zipper at least 5 inches long (it is ok to use a longer zipper). 


Use 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Now, before we start I want to tell you that this case will not be seamless inside. You can certainly make it seamless (I made two and the first one I made seamless). The reason I am not sharing a tutorial for a seamless one is that I know you won't like me very much. DSi's are small, and making the case seamless makes for some very fiddly sewing that I know many of you won't like! :) This tute still produces a very nice case, and the seams are only in the lining, not around the top. So, not visible!

Start by taking your flap lining piece and sewing a piece of touch tape to the bottom half. I sewed my velcro about 3/4 inch from the bottom.

Lay your front flap piece right side up and your front flap lining piece right side down on top. Sew together along both short sides and the long side closest to your touch tape.

turn right side out, press and topstitch around the three sewn sides. Set aside.

Now, find your two inside pocket pieces, back top piece and back bottom piece and press one 5 inch side in 1/4 inch.

Pin your top back piece and the larger inside pocket piece to one side of your zipper (pin the pieces to the zipper on the sides that are pressed in). Wrong sides of the fabric together. Don't worry if your zipper is not the right size. We'll cut it down later. Just make sure the end where your zip closes, the metal stop is at least 1/4 inch from the end.

This is what the other side will look like.

Using a zipper foot, sew together.

Do the same with the lower back piece and the other inside pocket piece. Now, cut the extra zipper off. make sure your zip is closed before doing this! You don't want to cut off the pull.

Flip the back of your case over, and with your pocket pieces right sides together match the raw edges and sew together down the long edge.

 The reason one side of your pocket piece was larger than the other is because it sits on the top side of the zipper. Pressed down this makes for a nice even flat pocket.

Press the top edge of your back piece in 1/4 inch and then do the same with your front piece, and lining pieces.

Important! Grab your front piece and sew the other side of your touch tape to the front about 1 inch down from the top. I forgot to do this and had to sew it on at the end and doing that isn't so fun.

Sew your front piece and lining piece right sides together along the top.

Flip the lining piece over, press and topstitch along the top. Set aside.

topstitch along both sides.

lay your back piece right side up. On top lay your strap matching the raw edges of your straps to the top edge of your back piece and then your flap on top right side down. Your straps and flap should be 1/4 inch in from each side. Pin in place.

lay your lining piece on top right side down. Sew along the top, sewing twice where the straps sit to reinforce them. Flip the lining over and topstitch just as you did the front side.

This is what you will have at this point! :) Almost done!

Right sides together lay your front and back piece together and sew along all three edges. The two sides and the bottom. If using a regular sewing machine zig zag your raw edges. Turn right side out and press, and your done!

The zippered pocket is big enough to hold a few games, but shallow enough that your kiddo will be able to get them out easily.

 Now they can take their gadget with them on the go and it will be protected. Those long car rides, Dr's office waits.........or they can just carry it around like my girl. *sigh*
I'm happy she isn't addicted to video games and I don't have to monitor the time she spends playing it, but geesh, pretty expensive thing to just carry around!

You'll be able to find a quick link to this tutorial under the Tutorials tab at the top of the page. Momentarily.

Have a happy New Years everyone!!