(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!
Lisa says
April 7, 2010 at 6:11 pmYou should add this to the OnePrettyThing flicker group. Or somehow let her know about it. It seems like something up her alley.
Abbie says
April 7, 2010 at 6:39 pmHow 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. 🙂
MissCraftyFingers says
April 8, 2010 at 7:50 pmthis is nice! handmade is always better! i’m more envious of your iPad though. haha
Lisa says
April 9, 2010 at 1:08 pmSaw it on OPT! Congrats.
Emily says
April 10, 2010 at 6:40 amGreat idea! Looks easy enough that I could tackle it! Seriously envious of your ipad!
Zhonn says
April 11, 2010 at 1:09 pmNice! 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…
Taced di Handmadecreativity says
April 18, 2010 at 3:47 pmVery very nice… thank you for sharing!
If you want, visit my blog… Taced
http://www.handmadecreativity.blogspot.com
Anne says
April 19, 2010 at 7:57 amI’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:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-padded-ipad-sleeve/2010/04/19/
–Anne
gry planszowe says
May 2, 2010 at 5:39 amI searched many sites and here i found what i was looking for, thanks for valuable post
Kelly says
May 7, 2010 at 4:40 pmThanks so much! I just made this and it was super simple. The measurements worked great. Snug as a bug.
Emily says
May 17, 2010 at 7:24 amMade this in about 30 minutes for my hubby’s ipad – It works perfectly! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Jenn says
May 20, 2010 at 12:40 pmThis is awesome! I’m going to make this for my husbands father’s day present, thanks!
Ipads Tablet says
May 23, 2010 at 3:13 pmGreat post.. Thank for the tips!
Regards Apple Tablet
LCW says
May 25, 2010 at 7:20 amOh 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!
Anne says
June 13, 2010 at 12:23 amLine 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 ; )
Charlene says
August 22, 2010 at 3:58 pmYou inspired me to make my own, from a remnant of silk brocade.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbablue/4916293898/
Kimi says
September 30, 2010 at 2:56 pmNice! I picked up a remnant of pre-quilted calico that I had no idea what I would do with. Now I know!
One Second Needle says
November 5, 2010 at 1:29 pmiPads 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.
Kathy says
December 7, 2010 at 6:42 pmI 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.
Samantha says
February 2, 2011 at 9:24 amAny suggestions if you don’t have a serger? By the way LOVE the simplicity.
Crystal says
April 26, 2011 at 7:58 amYou 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!
Betty says
May 9, 2011 at 2:20 pmI 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??
Peter says
May 11, 2011 at 1:35 pmI’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?
Glenrose says
April 7, 2012 at 2:08 pmI 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!
Tina Mammoser says
July 16, 2012 at 6:56 amThanks 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. 🙂
Lucasade says
August 5, 2012 at 8:32 amThanks so much for this. It’s exactly what I need and I’m going to make one right away!
sammy says
August 27, 2012 at 11:37 amoh im loving this! so precise just how i strive to sew x
dini says
October 27, 2012 at 7:24 amThis is great! I will make one for my husband… thank you, Abbie…
Jenn says
June 7, 2013 at 6:44 amHi! 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!
Jeanine says
July 12, 2013 at 4:14 pmJenn, I don’t have a serger, so I followed the instructions here:
http://www.themotherhuddle.com/how-to-finish-seams-with-a-sewing-machine/
Jeanine says
July 12, 2013 at 4:13 pmCould 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!
abbie says
July 12, 2013 at 5:09 pmI’d estimate is was 1/4″. Thanks for helping Jenn, Jeanine. 🙂
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Bonnie says
August 18, 2015 at 1:21 pmMa’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.
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