Tutorial: Furry Monster Ipod Case (Domokun)

My lucky boyfriend is getting a fuzzy monster ipod protector for his birthday. I garnered inspiration from of one of our favorite desktop pics:

Best thing of all is that the navigation wheel of the ipod works through (thinner) fabric--hence the monster's belly. When the ipod is playing the transparent, red vinyl glows a great hot pink.

Follow-up: Craftsters, you have opened up my world today. I had no idea this wonderful monster had a name let alone a cult following! One search on google for Domokun, and its made my day.

Follow-up II: Tutorial for Fuzzy Monster iPod Protector
PDF Version here

materials needed:
-fuzzy monster fabric from Denver Fabrics. I strongly recommend this fabric--it was great to work with--no serging necessary and it hides ALL stitches. Unfortunately, http://www.DenverFabrics.com isn't currently selling it. All the store will tell me is that the fabric distributor is abbreviated as MOFA where FA stands for fabric. The pattern is called mammoth and the color is rust. Hope that can get you somewhere. Maybe you can call them.
-ultra suede (test the thickness to make sure the navigation wheel will work through it)
-transparent red vinyl (Jo-anns)
-durable white fabric like coated canvas or vinyl (Jo-anns)
-button eyes (Jo-anns)
-scissors
-needle and thread (Coats&Clark ART210 R C 357)
-sewing machine (optional)
-scrap paper
-velcro or other closure method

Biggest Challenge: determining where to cut the openings for the display window/mouth and the navigation wheel/belly.

My directions will not give exact measurements, as they are intended to apply to all ipods.

1. Cut fuzzy fabric to a size that will make a tight sleeve for your ipod. The front side should be at least 4 inches taller than the ipod. This will become the closure flap.
2. Sew the end that will become the bottom of the ipod sleeve, leaving a gap for the connector plug. I used a sewing machine for this, but certainly didn't need to. I also hand tacked the selvage to prevent it from blocking the plug hole. It is important to make this seam first as it will determine the location of the holes you're about to cut. 3. Use some scrap paper to trace the size and shape of the navigation wheel and screen. Use these for a template to mark the location and size of these on your sleeve-in-progress. Remember: the sleeve needs to be quite tight. Take this into account when marking the placements for the holes.
4. Using precision scissors, use your scrap paper template to cut out the circle for the belly and the rectangle for the screen 5. Cut the ultrasued about a half inch shorter than the long/front side of your cover. 6. Attach the ultrasuede to the inside of the cover by sewing along the perimeter. Make sure to keep this taught and flat. Also, sew around the perimeter of the belly hole. Using the screen hole cut in the furry fabric as a guide, but out screen hole in ultrasuede to match.
7. Make the teeth: cut a strip of white fabric and snip out the zig zag teeth. Attach teeth to the top and bottom of vinyl.
8. The window/mouth: Use your window template to determine the size vinyl for the window. Make sure to cut the vinyl larger than the window.

9. Slip vinyl moth piece betwen the layers of fabric (fuzzy and ultrasuede) of the screen hole. Center and sew along the perimeter to secure.

10. If using a machine, add velcro closure now. I put the prickly velcro on the body of the ipod and the fuzzy velcro on the flap. Otherwise, you can add it by hand after you have closed the sleeve. I used velcro for the closure fabric, but buttons would be cute, too! Make sure your attachment system is tight and secure.
11. Place ipod into sleeve and hand-sew the side closed. Edges of the fabric should just barely meet in order to keep the fabric taught.

12. Trim off any excess fabric from the back and sides of the sleeve. The fabric should be flush with the top of the ipod on the back and sides, but long on the front side. This extra fabric will create the closure flap.

13. Attach button eyes in appropriate eye locations.

14. Last Step! CAREFULLY! use a straight pin to find and mark the hole for the ear phones. Do not plunge your needle deeply. This should be a very shallow prick. Mark this spot with a pencil and use precision scissors or a hole punch to cut a small hole. Check to see if your earphones will fit through and work in the hole you cut. If so, use your needle and thread to wrap the hole (I use a buttonhole stitch), pulling it wide and keeping the fuzz from blocking the hole. You may want to trim some of the fuzz out of the hole. Cut a slit for the hold button and wrap similarily.

Your Done! Enjoy your new monster protector!