Gardener's/DIYer's Phone Pal (from a Placemat!!!)

$.25
30 Minutes
Easy
I needed a multi-compartmented carrier for both my wireless and cell phones when I'm outside working. Just laying them in the dirt was taking its toll on their infinite beauty, and my cell phone (especially) was looking pretty bad. Instead of going out and buying something that probably wouldn't suit my needs (which include separate sections for each phone, a section for my camera, a cross-body strap, and very little weight), I bought a thrift store place mat which I repurposed into "just the thing."
The instructions (http://whomadethismissbobetier.blogspot.com/2013/08/gardenersdiyers-phone-pal-from-placemat.html) seem complicated, but the entire process takes less than a half hour and requires only a place mat, a few inches of hook and loop tape, and "strapping" (e.g., grosgrain ribbon, fabric scrap, webbing, dog leash, etc.). Since I had Velcro and ribbon on hand, all I spent was a quarter for the place mat.
While the project could at least be partially accomplished with fusible tape, a sewing machine is a much better alternative, and there's very little sewing involved. The steps to create this phone pal are folding, marking, pinning (or not), placement (of Velcro and strap), and sewing. You could use the photos accompanying this post as a tutorial (I hope). The bag is versatile--depending on the place mat chosen, it could be a shoulder/cross-body bag, or a unique gift, among other uses.
The finished carrier--packed and ready to go to work. I carry my camera in one of the bottom pockets so that I might remember to take those darn "before" photos.
My 25-cent investment.
Length in this case refers to the longer side.
Width is the shorter side.
Place in "portrait" orientation, with folds at the bottom and left side.
Use the longer of the two phones to determine stitch placement. Be sure the phones can peek out the top of the bag for easy access.
Mark the stitching line.
Stitching line is extended across entire width of place mat.
Attach hook and loop tape.
Draw line down center of unfolded place mat, crossing the line already there.
Sew along stitching lines of folded place mat.
Place strap as shown. Don't forget to measure against your body before cutting.
After attaching strap, sew side closed as shown, leaving opening at bottom for pockets. Then stitch along the bottom.
Ta-da!
Don't forget to pack a snack!
KathrynElizabeth Etier
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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