ByAnnie’s iCases 2.0 in AGF Tangerine: a quick afternoon make
There’s something especially satisfying about a project you can start and finish in an afternoon, and ByAnnie’s iCases 2.0 is exactly that kind of make.
I chose this pattern because it’s quick, practical, and creates a lovely padded protective pouch. In this post, I’ll walk you through the key techniques for sewing with foam so you can achieve a neat, professional result. It’s the sort of project that feels achievable even in a busy week, which makes it ideal for sewers looking for a useful make with a polished finish.
For this sample, I made the medium size using fabrics from the AGF Tangerine range, and I also stitched a small version in the AGF Rocket Science range. This patterns boasts 4 different size options, so you’ll certainly be able to find a sleeve to fit your e-reader or tablet!
More than anything, I wanted this project to show you how approachable foam construction can be, while demonstrating how beautifully the Tangerine prints work together in a functional project.
Channel summertime sweetness with AGF Studio's Tangerine collection!
This delightful collection features playful retro motifs and charming florals in juicy orange peaches and lavender hues.
It's perfect for sewing projects that radiate sunshine and happiness!
Retro Summer is a fun retro print and has a pale purple background and features various fruit, sunglasses, records, palm trees and more motifs.
Channel summertime sweetness with AGF Studio's Tangerine collection!
This delightful collection features playful retro motifs and charming florals in juicy orange peaches and lavender hues.
It's perfect for sewing projects that radiate sunshine and happiness!
Zesty Wedges Dew is a pale purple fabric, with a small scale goemetric repeating pattern reminiscent of halved oranges.
Channel summertime sweetness with AGF Studio's Tangerine collection!
This delightful collection features playful retro motifs and charming florals in juicy orange peaches and lavender hues.
It's perfect for sewing projects that radiate sunshine and happiness!
Floral Zest has a pale background with a mixture of floral and fruity elements.
The fabric combination: bright, coordinated, and joyful
For the main exterior, I used Retro Summer, which is full of fun motifs and gives the sleeve lots of visual interest.
The accent panel is Zesty Wedges Dew, which tones in beautifully without competing with the feature print.
Inside, I chose Floral Zest for the lining. I always enjoy adding a lining that gives a little burst of colour when the bag or pouch is opened, and this one does exactly that.
A useful general bag making tip here: I often prefer lighter lining fabrics, because they make it easier to find items inside your bags. That’s slightly less important in a tablet or e-reader sleeve, but it’s still a great habit when choosing combinations.
One of the joys of the AGF Tangerine range (or any quilting cotton range actually) is how easy it is to mix prints confidently. The whole collection feels bright, zesty, and full of energy, so it’s easy to create combinations that feel intentional.
What I used
As well as the pattern and fabric which I’ve already talked about. There are a few other bits and pieces you need to complete you project. I’ve added a shopping list at the end of this post, if you’re interested.
For the zip pocket on the back of the bag, I used a 30-inch double slide zip. One thing I especially like about doing this here is that the pattern only needs part of it. That means the remaining zip tape and second slider are ready for another pouch or bag project, which always feels like excellent value.
There’s no mesh, fold-over elastic or hardware needed, and I think that simplicity is part of what makes this such an approachable make.
A few thoughts from the making process
This really was a lovely one afternoon sew.
The construction is very thoughtfully designed, with no untidy raw edges and some clever sequencing that hides the hook and loop tape stitching completely. That gives the finished sleeve a really professional look.
I particularly enjoyed the darts at the bottom of the pouch, which add depth and shaping. It’s a small detail, but it makes the sleeve far more functional because the device slips in comfortably rather than fighting against a flat shape.
The only genuinely tricky part was managing the bulk from three layers of Style Vil foam
When I teach techniques like this in my sewing classes, my best tip is to seal the edges of every foam-backed piece before assembly. I sew around the perimeter of each piece about 2mm from the edge, which gently compresses the foam and helps reduce bulk later.
Doing this on all three main sections makes a noticeable difference!
When it comes to binding, I sometimes carefully trim back a little of the foam from the seam allowance to reduce thickness even more. Just enough to help the binding sit smoothly, while being careful not to clip the stitches.
For a project this size, I also really enjoy doing the second pass of the binding by hand. It’s such a nice finishing touch, and invisible hand stitching gives the sleeve that extra premium feel.
Who this project is perfect for
I’d recommend this pattern for sewists who have already made a few simple bags and are ready to take the next step into foam stabiliser with a well structured, highly achievable project.
It’s an excellent learning project because it introduces foam, darts, binding, zip work, and shaped construction in a sequence that feels logical, manageable, and highly transferable to future bag making projects.
I also think it’s ideal for anyone short on time or energy. Because the three main sections can be prepared separately, it’s easy to make one piece at a time and come back later to finish construction if you don’t want to finish it all in one afternoon like me!
That flexibility makes it perfect for social sewing days, retreats, or sewing in short sessions at home.
The finished result
What I love most is the shape.
The gussets allow the device to fit easily and securely, while the padded foam construction gives reassuring protection.
A standout feature is the back zip pocket, which is such a smart addition to a simple sleeve. It gives you somewhere safe to keep charging cables and useful accessories without worrying about them scratching the screen.
The small size works beautifully for an e-reader, and the medium size comfortably fits a small tablet.
Because the pattern includes four sizes in total, it’s easy to make versions for most tablets and e-readers.
Shop the supplies for your own iCases 2.0
If you’d like to make your own version, I’ve added the products here so you can shop the exact pattern, fabric and notions that I used.
If you’re ready to begin sewing with foam, this is a wonderfully well paced place to start, and the techniques you learn here transfer beautifully into larger and more complex bag making projects
Carry and store your electronic devices safely and securely with these clutch style pouches, in four sizes.
The pouches feature an envelope style flap, with hook and loop closure, and a zippered back pocket ideal for storing charging cables.
Small: 6½" (16.5cm) H x 9 ¾" (24.75cm) W x 3/8" (1cm) D
Medium: 8" (20cm) H x 11 ½" (29.2cm) W x 3/8" (1cm) D
Large: 9 ½" (24cm) H x 13" (33cm) W x 3/8" (1cm) D
Extra Large: 10 ¼" (26cm) H x 14 ¼" (36cm) W x 3/8" (1cm) D
Channel summertime sweetness with AGF Studio's Tangerine collection!
This delightful collection features playful retro motifs and charming florals in juicy orange peaches and lavender hues.
It's perfect for sewing projects that radiate sunshine and happiness!
Retro Summer is a fun retro print and has a pale purple background and features various fruit, sunglasses, records, palm trees and more motifs.
Channel summertime sweetness with AGF Studio's Tangerine collection!
This delightful collection features playful retro motifs and charming florals in juicy orange peaches and lavender hues.
It's perfect for sewing projects that radiate sunshine and happiness!
Zesty Wedges Dew is a pale purple fabric, with a small scale goemetric repeating pattern reminiscent of halved oranges.
Channel summertime sweetness with AGF Studio's Tangerine collection!
This delightful collection features playful retro motifs and charming florals in juicy orange peaches and lavender hues.
It's perfect for sewing projects that radiate sunshine and happiness!
Floral Zest has a pale background with a mixture of floral and fruity elements.
These head-to-head nylon coil zippers are great for bags, providing easy accessto open from either end of your closure.
The zipper is 76cm (30 inches) in length, and come in a variety of colours. This listing is for a pumpkin coloured zipper.
These zippers are easy to trim to size, if your bag pattern calls for a shorter zipper. Just remember to secure the ends with a fabric tab, or ensure they’re sewn into the seam!
Versatile woven fusuble interlining for bags, shirts, blouses.
For use with lightweight to mediumweight fabrics.
For creative needlework with three-dimensional effects, such as handbags, mobile phone pouches, eyeglass cases and for stabilising pieces of clothing, such as caps, hats and shoulder pads. Voluminous, sew-in foamed material laminated with wefts on both sides, made from synthetic materials and featuring high abrasion resistance.
Style-vil is approximately 75cm wide.
Odif 505 Adhesive Spray is your trusty companion when quilting fabric for bag making.
Adhesive spray allows you to securely temporarily adhere your fabric to your wadding/foam in order to quilt. This helps avoid fabric slipping as you quilt, and helps you produce a beautiful quilted fabric.
Odif 505 spray is available in a 500ml spray can. Please dispose of empty cans responsibly.
