(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!
