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Padded iPad Sleeve Tutorial

April 7, 2010 by abbie 323 Comments

(Note: This tutorial was created for the first generation iPad, but can be adapted for all generations.)

When we were at the Apple store buying my iPad, they had a decent selection of protective cases available, but if you guys know me by now, you know that I had to at least try to make my own before I gave in and bought one.  I quickly went through Plan A and Plan B before I was successful.  So, with you I share my Plan C.

It’s a very simple, quick project to put together.

It’s not so much a case as it is a sleeve.

It fits so snugly that there is no need for any type of closure.  Your iPad won’t be going anywhere.

It’s perfect to throw in your purse for protection against keys, lipsticks, Hot Wheels,  fruity snacks, and melted chocolate.  Please tell me your purse is like mine.  Please?

It’s made using a sturdy home decor fabric on the outside and a fantastically soft flannel on the inside.

It’s cushioned with a nice layer of foam so you don’t have to fret over every bump and booboo.

So, let’s get started.  You’ll need:

Paper to draw out your pattern (I use old wrapping paper with the 1″ grid on the back)

Exterior fabric (I used one from Amy Butler’s August Fields home decor line)

Interior fabric (I’m pampering my iPad with an Amy Butler flannel from her Love line)

Foam for cushion (I used automotive headliner that I got for 50 cents in Hancock’s bargain bin)

Sewing basics (scissors, thread, pins, serger, sewing machine

1.  Cut your pattern piece for your exterior & interior fabrics.  It will be 10.5″ x 8.5″.

2.  Cut your pattern piece for your foam.  It will be 9.5″ x 7.5″.

3.  Using your pattern pieces, cut 2 each of your exterior fabric, interior fabric and foam.

4.  Take one exterior piece and one interior piece and place them wrong sides together.  Serge one of your short ends without cutting the fabric.  Repeat with remaining 2 pieces.

5.  Open up your seam and place a piece of foam inside, leaving 1/4″ between top edge of foam and your seam, and 1/2″ space around the rest of the foam.

6.  Now close your “sandwich” keeping your seam flat and edges even.  Pin through all 3 layers.

7.  Serge 1/4″ around remaining 3 sides.

Repeat with your other exterior/interior/foam.  You should now have 2 “sandwiches”.

8.  Now we’re going to double-decker this thing.  Pin your two “sandwiches” together with your interior sides facing each other.

9.  Serge 1/8″ around 3 sides, leaving one short end open.  Then go back with your regular sewing machine and sew a seam just inside your serged seam to reinforce your sleeve.

You’re done!  Now, this is a tight squeeze, isn’t it?  I decided to make it that way because, A) makes the tutorial simpler 😉 and B) less junk to mess with when I want to get the iPad out of my purse.  However, if you want yours less tight you could expand the width of this case a half inch or so and throw a Velcro or button strap on it.

Let me know if you have any questions!

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Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: case, fabric, foam, iPad, padded, sewing, sleeve, tutorial

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    April 7, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    You should add this to the OnePrettyThing flicker group. Or somehow let her know about it. It seems like something up her alley.

    Reply
    • Abbie says

      April 7, 2010 at 6:39 pm

      How did I not know about that site?? It’s lovely. I will send them an email with several different tutorials. Thank you for the suggestion. 🙂

      Reply
  2. MissCraftyFingers says

    April 8, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    this is nice! handmade is always better! i’m more envious of your iPad though. haha

    Reply
  3. Lisa says

    April 9, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Saw it on OPT! Congrats.

    Reply
  4. Emily says

    April 10, 2010 at 6:40 am

    Great idea! Looks easy enough that I could tackle it! Seriously envious of your ipad!

    Reply
  5. Zhonn says

    April 11, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    Nice! I’m at the Apple store right now trying it out. Not sure I’ll ever get used to the glass keypad, but at least these old eyes can see the darn thing. Light weight too!

    still too pricey though. dh says maybe with next years return…

    Reply
  6. Taced di Handmadecreativity says

    April 18, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Very very nice… thank you for sharing!
    If you want, visit my blog… Taced
    http://www.handmadecreativity.blogspot.com

    Reply
  7. Anne says

    April 19, 2010 at 7:57 am

    I’m jealous!! If I had a pretty new iPad, I’d definitely make a cover for it, too! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    https://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-padded-ipad-sleeve/2010/04/19/

    –Anne

    Reply
  8. gry planszowe says

    May 2, 2010 at 5:39 am

    I searched many sites and here i found what i was looking for, thanks for valuable post

    Reply
  9. Kelly says

    May 7, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    Thanks so much! I just made this and it was super simple. The measurements worked great. Snug as a bug.

    Reply
  10. Emily says

    May 17, 2010 at 7:24 am

    Made this in about 30 minutes for my hubby’s ipad – It works perfectly! Thanks for the great tutorial!

    Reply
  11. Jenn says

    May 20, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    This is awesome! I’m going to make this for my husbands father’s day present, thanks!

    Reply
  12. Ipads Tablet says

    May 23, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Great post.. Thank for the tips!
    Regards Apple Tablet

    Reply
  13. LCW says

    May 25, 2010 at 7:20 am

    Oh I just found you through a google search and I’m going to adapt this to fit a netbook and when my husband gets his iPad I’ll make him a sleeve too. I’m adding you to my reader!

    Reply
  14. Anne says

    June 13, 2010 at 12:23 am

    Line the sleeve with a microfibre cloth. We just got our ipad and found that the microfibre does miracles in removing fingerprints. Thanks for the post – I was planning my cover and thought to search for those plans already out there. Yes, my purse is like yours, and my sister’s purse is more so ; )

    Reply
  15. Charlene says

    August 22, 2010 at 3:58 pm

    You inspired me to make my own, from a remnant of silk brocade.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbablue/4916293898/

    Reply
  16. Kimi says

    September 30, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Nice! I picked up a remnant of pre-quilted calico that I had no idea what I would do with. Now I know!

    Reply
  17. One Second Needle says

    November 5, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    iPads are certainly becoming more and more popular and these instructions on how to make a sleeve for them is great. The patterns you used are really cool as well. Thank you for this post.

    Reply
  18. Kathy says

    December 7, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    I love this tutorial. It is so nice!! But I’m having a problem. When I’m serging the pieces with the foam (I actually used some batting), my loopers left large loops. I mean there is a gap between the edge of the loops and the cut fabric. This does not happen when serging without the batting placed between the layers. Is that due to the batting? I never serged with batting before. Would the foam work better because it presses flat when the foot is on it? Has anyone else experienced this?? Thanks.

    Reply
  19. Samantha says

    February 2, 2011 at 9:24 am

    Any suggestions if you don’t have a serger? By the way LOVE the simplicity.

    Reply
    • Crystal says

      April 26, 2011 at 7:58 am

      You might try a French seam approach. With right sides together, stitch outer fabric and lining fabric together with a 1/4 inch seam leaving a three inch opening on one of the shorter ends. Turn the piece right side out and topstitch around all edges with a 1/4 inch seam(after whip stitching opening together. Now you have two sides to sew together, sewing around three sides.
      This would work best with quilted fabric. Good luck!

      Reply
  20. Betty says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    I have a G Tablet, and I’m trying to find a case for it. I like the sleeve, have you made anything like this before??

    Reply
  21. Peter says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re working with? I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?

    Reply
  22. Glenrose says

    April 7, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    I whipped up one of these iPad covers yesterday and am so pleased with it! I added a “tab & loop” closure. Thank you for a tried & true pattern!

    Reply
  23. Tina Mammoser says

    July 16, 2012 at 6:56 am

    Thanks for this! I know it’s an old post, but I’ve just made a case for my Kobo reader for traveling. I have a button because I misjudged the width a bit, and added an extra layer of hemmed fabric on one side to create an outside pocket to hold my clip-on light. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Lucasade says

    August 5, 2012 at 8:32 am

    Thanks so much for this. It’s exactly what I need and I’m going to make one right away!

    Reply
  25. sammy says

    August 27, 2012 at 11:37 am

    oh im loving this! so precise just how i strive to sew x

    Reply
  26. dini says

    October 27, 2012 at 7:24 am

    This is great! I will make one for my husband… thank you, Abbie…

    Reply
  27. Jenn says

    June 7, 2013 at 6:44 am

    Hi! I wanted to make an iPad sleeve for my husband for Father’s Day. I’m new to being crafty but I’ve a natural talent for sewing by hand. My mom has a sewing machine I can borrow I’m just not familiar with the terms. Anyway, to make a short story long, what is a serge? I’m certain I could possibly do it as your instructions are detailed and descriptive and it seems fairly simple. Although I haven’t used a sewing machine in years!

    Reply
    • Jeanine says

      July 12, 2013 at 4:14 pm

      Jenn, I don’t have a serger, so I followed the instructions here:
      https://www.themotherhuddle.com/how-to-finish-seams-with-a-sewing-machine/

      Reply
  28. Jeanine says

    July 12, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    Could you tell us, please, what the thickness of your foam was? I tried to use 1/2 inch thick foam, and it was too big. Thank you!

    Reply
    • abbie says

      July 12, 2013 at 5:09 pm

      I’d estimate is was 1/4″. Thanks for helping Jenn, Jeanine. 🙂

      Reply
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  32. Bonnie says

    August 18, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    Ma’am, I made a sleeve for my kindle but instead of using foam I used a piece of a flexible cutting board that I bought at dollar tree 2 for a buck. Just an idea.

    Reply
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