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Make a Case For Your eReader (Kindle, iPad, Nook, Sony)

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Customize Case for your eReader

How to make your own protective case.

I was so excited when I received my Kindle 2 that I wanted to show it to everyone. Problem was...Amazon didn't include a temporary pouch!

I ran upstairs, found some fabric and made my own pouch over night. The next day I showed off my Kindle (and probably sold a few for them).

On my way home, I stopped by a fabric store and purchase a strap for my new pouch. Now, I not only get a response about my Kindle, they LOVE my pouch too.

The instructions below do not have exact measurements. This way the instructions will apply to all the different Kindle versions or any eReader or the new Apple iPad. Please note that this is not the type of pouch that the Kindle will wear while reading. This pouch is for protection to take your naked Kindle anywhere.

Though I made this for my Kindle 2...the instructions work for the Sony eReader and the NEW /www.apple.com">Apple iPad.

Different Sizes & Makes To Meet Your Needs

Comes without a protective case.

Here are all the available Amazon Kindles. Pick the one that suits your needs.
The pouch I made was for the Kindle 2. The directions fit all sizes of Kindles (and any other ebook reader).

This is an Amazon link. To see other eReaders...visit Apple for the iPad or Sony.
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Other eReaders

Other eReaders not sold via Amazon

Other eReaders do exist beyond the Kindle. Here are some:

What you will need

The ingredients to your eReader Pouch


  • Fabric of your choice. This is for the outside. Make a bold choice. Show your personality. If you love parrots, like I do, find fabric with parrots. Make sure that the print isn't larger than the Kindle (eReader/iPad). You want to make sure that it will show up with at least 1.5 inches to spare.

  • Thread that will match the outside fabric. Remember, going a little darker is less visable than going lighter. You will not see much of the stitching (except for the fold over).You won't need a full spool but it is nice to keep on hand for when others want you to make them a Kindle (eReader/iPad) pouch.

  • Felt Fabric that will be the inside protection. I decided on felt because it is thicker than other fabrics. It is softer to that I wouldn't have to worry about scratching. Make sure the felt matches or compliments the outside fabric.

  • Micro Glass Cleaning Cloth that will be put on the side of the screen. I got mine from my eye doctor. He was giving them out free with his name and contact information on it. Heck, it was the perfect size to cover the Kindle 2 screen.

  • Stiff Cardboard Inserts are important to keep the pouches shape when the Kindle (eReader/iPad) is not inside. It also provides an extra layer of protection. Depending on the thickness of the cardboard, you will need either 2 or 4. I used four 5" x 7.5" cardboard pieces from a case cat food (thank you sis for supplying these to me). The thickness is about 2mm. The thickness you would find on the back of a notepad. Don't worry about finding the right matching color. These will be hidden between the outside fabric and the felt.

  • Velcro or snaps to close the pouch. I used the 1/2 inch width size because I had this in the house. It is a good width. You only need the length of the Kindle width. Kindle 2 was about 6" in length.

  • Stick On Initials or name tag to iron-on or sew on the inside (or wherever you want) to lable the pouch as your own!

  • Strap which is not pictured above. Ironically, I found the drap/curtain tie back to match my outside fabric exactly! It is soft and just long enough (about 20 inches) as a handle. It does fit on my shoulder but not across my chest.

Measurements

Cutting the fabric.

Outside Fabric
  • You will need to make two different cuts. One for the front and one for the back.
  • Front:
    • If you have a specifc part of the print you want to show, make sure you have that arranged where you want to see it on the carrier. Notice that I have a red parrot on the lower left hand side of the pouch. Measure your fabric to ensure that the design appears where you want it to appear.
    • Cut two inches wider than the kindle width. Kindle 2 was 7.5 inches.
    • Cut two inches longer than the kindle length. Kindle 2 was 10 inches.
  • Back:
    • Remember that this will include the flap.
    • If you have a specifc part of the print you want to show, make sure you have that arranged where you want to see it on the carrier. The same parrot design appears on the same spot on the back. Measure your fabric to ensure that the design appears where you want it to appear.
    • Cut two inches wider than the kindle width. Kindle 2 was 7.5 inches.
    • Cut two inches longer than the kindle length. Kindle 2 was 12 inches.
Inside Felt Fabric
  • The measurements are the same as the outside fabric.
  • You will need to make two different cuts. One for the front and one for the back.
  • Front:
    • Cut two inches wider than the kindle width. Kindle 2 was 7.5 inches.
    • Cut two inches longer than the kindle length. Kindle 2 was 10 inches.
  • Back:
    • Remember that this will include the flap.
    • Cut two inches wider than the kindle width. Kindle 2 was 7.5 inches.
    • Cut two inches longer than the kindle length. Kindle 2 was 12 inches.
Micro Glass Cleaning Fabric
  • Make sure the measurements are at least 1/2 inch longer and wider than the Kindle display.
  • Make sure the measurements are not longer or wider than the cloth or felt front pieces.
Cardboard Inserts
  • It is important that all four cardboard pieces are the same size.
  • Each cardboard piece should be about 1/2" shorter in length of the Kindle.
  • Each cardboard piece should be about 1/4" shorter in width of the Kindle.
  • I used 5-1/4" by 7-1/2" pieces for the Kindle 2.
Velcro
  • About 1/4" wider than the Kindle.
  • I used 6" for the Kindle 2.
Handle
  • If you are making your own, decide on the length you would like and add 2".
  • If you are using a tie-back, I used a a 20" for the Kindle 2. This includes the pieces for the button hook.

Assembling the pieces

First step to making the eReader or iPad pouch.

The first thing you must do is make the protective padding. You will need to make the front and back before you assemble this into a pouch. To do this ...

  • The Front:
    • Micro Fiber to Felt:
      • Position it towards the top to support the Kindle (eReader/iPad) as it is dropped into the case.
      • Hold your Kindle (eReader/iPad) next to where you want it to be to ensure that the felt covers the Kindle (eReader/iPad) screen.
      • Sew the micro fiber sheet to the felt piece that will be the front of the pouch.
      • Make sure all four sides are completely sewn to the felt material.
    • Felt to Outside:
      • Make sure that the microfiber is on the outside. Make sure the outside print is facing outside as well.
      • If your outside pattern has a top and bottom, make sure it is facing the correct way.
      • Sew the felt to the outside fabric about 1/4" in from the edge of the fabrics.
      • Make 3 passes to add strength to the seems.
      • Do NOT sew all four sides. LEAVE THE TOP SIDE OPEN!
      • Hold your Kindle (eReader/iPad) next to the sewn fabric. Make sure that the stitch lines are bigger than the Kindle. Big enough that will allow for the thickness of your Kindle. For the Kindle 2, I had about 1/4" between the Kindle 2 and the stitch lines.
      • If you feel the pouch is too big, restitch the fabric a little closer to the center.
      • If you feel the pouch is too small, this is the time to pull out the stitches and resew.
  • The Back:
    • Felt to Outside:
      • Make sure that the microfiber is on the outside. Make sure the outside print is facing outside as well.
      • If your outside pattern has a top and bottom, make sure it is facing the correct way.
      • Sew the felt to the outside fabric about 1/4" in from the edge of the fabrics.
      • Make 3 passes to add strength to the seems.
      • Do NOT sew all four sides. LEAVE THE TOP SIDE OPEN!
      • Hold your Kindle next to the sewn fabric. Make sure that the stitch lines are bigger than the Kindle. Big enough that will allow for the thickness of your Kindle. For the Kindle 2, I had about 1/4" between the Kindle 2 and the stitch lines.
      • If you feel the pouch is too big, restitch the fabric a little closer to the center.
      • If you feel the pouch is too small, this is the time to pull out the stitches and resew.

Assembling the pouch

Putting all the pieces together

Most important thing to remember is to keep the outside fabric on the inside as you assemble this. Here we go, step by step...
  • Front To Back:
    • Lay the back piece with the felt on the bottom.
    • Lay the front piece on top with the felt on the top.
    • Imagine the pouch inside out.
    • Make sure the bottom's match up exactly.
    • Sew the bottom together 1/4" up from the bottom
    • Make 3 passes for strength
    • Before sewing any more, see that the Kindle will fit. This is the time you can pull stitches and resew if neccessary.
    • Sew each side 1/4" in from the edge up to about 3/4" from the top of the FRONT.
    • Make 3 passes for strength
  • Cardboard for Stiffness:
    • Turn the pouch inside out. The outside fabric should be on the outside and the felt inside.
    • Before sewing any more, see that the Kindle will fit. This is the last time you can pull stitches and resew if neccessary.
    • Make sure that the pattern is in the correct spot (facing upward).
    • Insert two (or one if you are using thick cardboard) into the front pouch between the fabric and felt.
    • Make sure you push the cardboard to the bottom, right up against the stitching.
    • Insert two (or one if you are using thick cardboard) into the back pouch between the fabric and felt.
    • Make sure you push the cardboard to the bottom, right up against the stitching.
  • Sealing the Front:
    • Roll the top edge towards the inside of the pouch over twice creating a 1/2 inch fold.
    • Stitch over the entire width 3 times for strength
    • Fold over the flap once about 1 inch
    • Stitch over the entire width 3 times for strength. Make sure the ends (leading to a corner) is tucked in to create a smooth corner. The ends need to be included in the stitch over.
    • Hand stitch the sides of the flap (it is too thick for the sewing machine to make it through)
  • Sealing the Back and Flap:
    • Roll the top edge towards the inside of the pouch over twice creating a 1/2 inch fold.
    • Stitch over the entire width 3 times for strength
    • Fold over the flap once about 1 inch
    • Stitch over the entire width 3 times for strength. Make sure the ends (leading to a corner) is tucked in to create a smooth corner. The ends need to be included in the stitch over.
    • Hand stitch the sides of the flap (it is too thick for the sewing machine to make it through)
  • Create the Closing Flap:
    • Hand stitch any open seems on the sides.
    • Do not seal the sides to the top. You will need the 1" openning to help you remove your Kindle (eReader/iPad).
    • Hand stitch the soft part of the velcro to the fold over flap.
    • Hand stich the teeth part of the velcro to the top flap. Make sure the flap will cover and meet the soft velcro.
  • Adding a Handle (optional):
    • Hand stitch the handle ends to the front felt part of the kindle case.
    • Make sure that this is securely attached.
  • Finishing Touches (optional):
    • Go ahead and iron on your initials or name tag to the back side felt.
    • Make sure that what you add is below the fold of the flap (it will last longer).
    • Take a picture of your pouch and add it to the comment section. We want to see your designs.

For Rainy Days

or when you go to the beach

My pouch was made out of cotton material. Not exactly waterproof. Yet, I found a wonderful case I can use when I go to the beach! It's made by Le Sport Sac. It's perfect for the Kindle 2 and it has space for me to add a few dollars for drinks.

Zazzle

Make your own design from your photographs

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Zazzle now allows you to create your own iPad or iPhone cover from photographs! Now how cool is that!

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Your Feedback

Hey, add pics of the pouch you made!

  • Gmill Jan 25, 2012 @ 2:29 am | delete
    great Job!!
  • PatFerdinandi Jan 25, 2012 @ 8:03 am | delete
    Thanks Gmill
  • maleah Mar 9, 2011 @ 3:20 pm | delete
    hae thanks for the infor
  • PatFerdinandi Jan 25, 2012 @ 8:02 am | delete
    Thanks for the compliment
  • Rob Jan 17, 2011 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    FYI, regarless of which one you choose, there's a company called Nuvo-Tek.com which makes a sleeve case for either the Kindle or Nook and they offer good products at very good prices. You can buy them directly on their website, or you can buy them on Amazon or Buy.com for a little less.
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