Laminated Tablet Case Sewing Tutorial
I got a Kindle a few years ago, and have loved it! When I saw they were coming out with a new one, I decided it was time to pass mine onto my daughter (less books to haul around at school).
The new one came this week and my old cover didn’t fit it. I knew very quickly that it would need a cover to survive bouncing around in the depths of my very unorganized purse!
This project is a great scrap buster! I used some fabric I had leftover from that sneak peek last week.
It’s lined with fusible fleece and corduroy. I wanted something soft but was not in to mood to work with Snuggles/Minke. The corduroy gave it great softness without creating any bulk.
To keep it from getting dirty, I laminated the fabric first. Now I can just wipe it clean.
This case was created for a Kindle, however you can also use it as a case for any tablet or phone less than 5 1/2″ x 8″. It would also be great to use as a notebook or jewelry travel case.
Supplies
- 2 pieces of fabric for the front and back, each 6″x8.5″. (I used home decor weight)
- 2 pieces fusible fleece 6″ x 8.5″
- 2 pieces iron-on vinyl (buy it in a roll at the fabric store next to the wonder under), 6″ x 8.5″
- 2 pieces iron-on vinyl 4″ x 6″
- 2 pieces fabric for flap 4″ x 6″
- 2 pieces corduroy 6″ x 8.5″
- 2 pieces 2″ wide ribbon 16″ long
- Teflon foot. You MUST have this to sew on the iron-on vinyl. trust me 🙂
**edited to add:.. As I’ve been using this I think the measurements are a bit snug, IF you line it with anything heavy (like Minke, Snuggle, or thick corduroy I would recommend increasing your measurements by 1/2″, so 6.5″ x 9″.
**note: if I were to make this project again, I would use lightweight fusible interfacing on the back of the corduroy pieces. They stretched a bit and could use some stabilization.
ALL seams are 1/4″ unless noted
Instructions
First apply the iron on vinyl to your front and back pieces and flap and flap lining pieces. To do this, peel the vinyl off of the paper. KEEP THE PAPER.
Place the vinyl sticky side down onto the right side of the fabric.
Place the paper (you just peeled off the vinyl) shiny down on top of the fabric/vinyl. You will have the grid side up. Make sure that the vinyl is completely covered (unless you want a mess on your iron!) and iron.
KEEP your paper pieces, once I cut a 16×16 piece of iron-on vinyl and I kept the paper backing. That way it’s a big enough piece to press your project when you are done. You CAN iron on the vinyl afterward, you just have to use the paper it came with to protect your iron!
Take one of your pieces of ribbon and pin it to the long side of one of your flap pieces. Stitch in place.
Using a spool of thread, trace a curve onto the 2 bottom corners of your flap. Place your flap and flap lining pieces together, stitch with a 1/4″ seam. Clip your corners and turn right side out. Press (remember to use your leftover paper).
Top stitch the edges. Set aside.
Using your leftover paper from your vinyl, iron the fusible fleece onto the wrong side of your 2 outside pieces.
Stitch your 2nd piece of ribbon onto your front piece. Stitch it 3″ in from the left edge (the edge the flap will be attached to) and centered. Stitch one straight stitch, then zig zag over the raw edge of the ribbon.
Fold the ribbon back and stitch in place. Make sure you back stitch.
Place front and back pieces together, right sides together. Round the 2 bottom corners as you did for your flap piece, and stitch a 1/4″ seam around the 2 sides and the bottom, leaving the top open. Clip your curves.
Stitch your 2 lining pieces together with 1/4″ seam, clip curves turn RIGHT side out and press.
Take your flap piece and slide it into your pouch. You will want the right side of your flap facing the BACK side of your pouch. Stitch in place.
Slide the lining piece into the pouch, the lining will be RIGHT side out and the pouch will be wrong side out. Pin well.
Stitch around the top opening. Starting at one side seam around the back of the pouch (the part that the flap is sewn to) and ending at the other side seam. Make sure you backstitch. Do not sew the front.
Turn right side out.
To close the opening on the front of the pouch, turn under and pin. Then topstitch in place.
Clip your strings and press! (remember to use your leftover paper piece, as long as you have that piece you can press out the wrinkles that will come as you sew)
Enjoy! I think these would make fun and easy gifts at Christmas time!
More Tablet Cases
If you’re looking for a larger tablet case, then you may like our Busy Day Tablet Case Pattern.
where’ve I been? iron on vinyl- amazing! No kindle here but this would be great for a diaper bag.
I will make the cover for a Kindle and just put it on the counter to show my husband – letting him know he just needs to provide the Kindle. Love the fabrics and the laminate.
Will the iPad fit in this because I need one of these so cute!!
CUTE! What a fun project. I love the fabrics you chose, of course. The bow is my favorite touch.
What a cute case! I am sooo going to have to get some iron-on vinyl. It’s been on my list for a while, but I haven’t found a place locally that sells it. One day I’ll break down and order some.
I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-make-a-kindle-keeper/2010/09/03/
–Anne
super cute! love that you used iron on vinyl, I really have to try that stuff out. 🙂
iron on vinyl?? My “new” thing to learn today.{{{grin}}}} Thanks for the great idea….There’s a Christmas gift in the making! Found you on Tatertot’s and Jello linkee. I’m your newest follower.
Have a wonderful long weekend:)
I just love that bow! Gorgeous!
Great tutorial! Love the cover. I can imagine a variety of uses for the cover.
love this! I think my MIL needs one for Christmas!
That is SO CUTE! I love this and love the iron-on vinyl even more! Thanks so much, I’ll be linking to this.
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IT’S SO CUTE! =)
This is AWESOME! I don’t sew at all but I would love to have one. Do you sell these?
lisanchris (at) gmail.com
I love it! I have been meaning to make something like this for my own kindle so this perfect!! Thanks for the tutorial and linking to Get Your Craft On Tuesday, I wouldn’t have found your blog otherwise 🙂
i just got the new kindle, i really need a cover, this is so cute! love the fabric!
LOVE that material!
Hi there — just found your blog by searching google for an iron on vinyl tutorial & am glad I did. Thanks so much for the tutorial & photos, they will work perfectly for the project I’m attempting, a laminated portfolio. Love your fabric choices too!
Now I’m wondering – I have a laminating machine at work. Could I use the machine and the laminating material I have there to laminate fabric?
Thank you for the tutorial, it’s opened up a whole new world for me.
what a great idea to laminate the fabric. I really like this..will try it soon 🙂
Thanks so much..:D
I just found out about this iron-on vinyl and was wondering if anybody had actually used it. Thanks for the great tutorial and the tips for working with the vinyl.
I just started sewing so I am definitely not up to making one quite as awesome as this, but I used this idea to make a less-fancy case for my boyfriend. I made sure to link you: http://www.tizzielizzie.com/?p=432
Now I just need to make one for myself! Thanks for the tutorial! 🙂
This is an amazing project! I found your site through Tip Junkie. I will be coming back often!!
I love it! As a suggestion for the vinyl, you can use a makeup brush to dust baby powder on the vinyl and then any foot will be easy to sew it with! It’s a true lifesaver.
I’ll be making one soon! Thanks for the tutorial!
This is so great! Glad I found your blog.
Iron on vinyl is great but laminated cotton works as well with less work. Give it a try.
I can’t wait to try this. I don’t own a kindle, but my best friend does and her birthday is coming up! I could easily whip one of these out for her and she’d love it! Thanks!
http://maddashcreativity.blogspot.com/
My Mom has a Kindle and her birthday is coming up, so I thought I’d make this. I saw that you made this for your “new” Kindle – so does this cover fit the newest, small, version of Kindle? My Mom’s is the older, bigger one. Thanks for the great tutorial!!
love this! where do i or can i find fusible fleece! i’ve seen this on a lot of tutorials and i have no idea where to find fusible fleece?
is it just regular fleece sewn in? or is it something else?
Several fabric stores handle it…Hancocks, Joanne’s Fabrics and some of the Hobby Lobby stores.
I just have to ask, are you LDS? I’m getting the vibes you are just from looking at your site! Cuz I am too, from Australia 🙂 Love Tahnee (this is my husbands account, incase you were thinking I had a man’s name!!)
Love your Kindle cover! Wished I’d read this two days ago, could have saved the money I spent on a pattern (already cut out) to make a cover. I will check here first next time I need a pattern. Thanks.
i was just wondering if this would work for a kindle fire i dont know what the size difference is. if there is a difference could u maybe help me figure out how to make it work for my kindle fire. Thanks
I don’t think it will work for the kindle fire, most kindles are all different sizes. If I had a Kindle fire I’d be glad to measure it for you and make a suggestion… but I don’t…. I would recommend measuring your kindle then adding 1-2″ to the measurements for the size of your cut pieces.
Thanks for the tutorial! I just bought a new Kindle, the basic $69 one, and this fit perfectly! I used regular fabric with no vinyl and felt as interfacing. The only minus is that I can’t get the bow to look nice. Otherwise, very happy with it!
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