As promised, here is my Kindle Cover tutorial {sorry for the delay…we had some friends come visit, and I didn’t coordinate my time before their arrival very well – but we had a blast!}.
Supplies:
1 Charm pack or assorted scraps {for outside}
5/8 yard print
Velcro
Elastic {choose a color to match the reader, not the cover – I used black}
Buckle {optional}
First, measure your reader, my Kindle Fire measures 7 1/2″ x 4 1/2″. To determine the measurement, double the width and then add 2 1/4″ {note, the Kindle Fire that I have measure about 1/2″ thick. If your reader is flat or nearly flat, remove 1/2″ from the width. For the height, add 3/4″. So, the finished measurement for the Kindle Fire cover is 11 1/4″ x 8 1/4″.
Arrange your fabric as desired for the outside. For the cover on the top I used half hexagons, you can print the template here. For the cover on the bottom I used blocks from The Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilt book.
After piecing the outside {I am hoping to make a few more of these, so I’ll update with other ideas!}, layer with batting and quilt to a piece of fabric. Next, cut to pieces of fabric 1/4″ narrower than the cover, fold these in half to make the pockets for the inside of the cover. There should be a gap between the pieces, as shown:
Along the folded side of the left pocket, stitch the elastic in place separate from the outside of the cover. Stitch 1/8″ and 1/4″ from the edge {by stitching in two places, the pocket does not curl up when the Kindle is placed in the cover}, as shown:
Stitch the loop side of the Velcro closure to the front of the cover. Then, place both pockets on the wrong side of the cover and stitch 1/8″ from edge of cover outside to keep pockets in place. Then, attach the other sides of the two elastics, plus the remaining two elastics in the corners, as shown:
Next, make the closure as you desire. Here are the two methods I used, the buckle{honestly, I didn’t write down the dimensions because it will vary for any buckle!}:
and the flap {my flap is 2 1/4″ wide before seam allowances}:
Sew your closure to the outside of the cover before sewing the binding, like this:
Then, cut one 1 1/2″ x WOF strip for the binding. I’m going to use a single fold binding method. The construction is similar to the traditional double fold {see my binding tutorial}. Sew the binding to the outside of the cover:
Then finish the binding like this:
I had originally machine finished my binding on the Farmer’s Wife Kindle Cover, but since I decided to change the white elastics out for black, I was happier with the hand stitching on the Hexagon Kindle Cover, so I hand stitched the binding back down, here’s the before:
And the after:
I think it is much improved! Then, I just cut a piece of plastic canvas and slip it in one {or both} of the pockets to give it a nice sturdy shape!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am making a cover for a friend, and she has a Kindle Keyboard, so I will update with details on arranging the elastics for minimal interference you can see it here!
And, if you make a cover using this tutorial, I’d love to see it! Please post it to our Flickr group!
About Jennie
A mother-daugher {best friends} team who love to spend our days together {long distance} sewing, quilting, designing, drinking coffee, chatting, and chasing our little ones!
Thank you for visiting with us!
the Anne handbag
the Stella diaper bag
the Lizzy bag
the Madeline bag
the Brooklyn bag
Jennie, is there anything you can’t do? You have such a talent and I so enjoy seeing your creations. Beautiful quilted covers and wonderful tutorials.
So pretty and functional! Your tutorial is great. I always get myself all confused when thinking about the inside-out stuff. Half the time I get it wrong and have to redo it!
Wonderful tutorial….thanks!!
Very cute Jenni! Thanks for the tutorial.
thanks for this great tutorial…^^
Wow! I really like your Domestic Bliss one!!
Brilliant tutorials! And I love the covers, they are so pretty and colourful!
Helen x
great tutorial!
Will you be selling these on Etsy? Love your tutorial, and I do sew, but an Etsy purchase would be so nice.
Hi there, I don’t think I’ll be making any for the Etsy shop, if you’re interested in a custom order, e-mail me and I may be able to help you out!
I don’t have the Farmer’s Wife Sampler book (yet?). I love the kindler cover in the melon color. Can you tell me the name of the block>
If you look back to my Farmer’s Wife in Your Life post here, you will find the names of all five blocks I used for the melon color Kindle cover.
Ok, I’m going to try and make one today!! I’M not good at following directions. I’m a little confused when you talk about sewing the elastic strips on because in one picture you have the pocket folded and then I think it’s turned another way in the other picture. I get so confused but I’ll just jump in and figure it out as I go. I’m a beginner at projects like this which is a long way from sewing a straight line.
Gmama Jane
Very cute! Will make one but will scale it to fit my tab (when hubs gets it for me!
). Was wondering if interfacing (strong ones) will make it sturdy?
I think a nice strong interfacing would make it sturdy. I just like to use the canvas because it can be easily removed and I know how it washes up. With little kids, all my fabric stuff ends up being washed!
This is a great project. I am to the point of sewing on the elastic. I am making this for someone else and do not have the Kindle Fire here. I am uncertain about how far down the side to place the elastic so that it fits over the corner and not in the screen area. I think it is about 1 1/4 inches. Does that seem about right?
The elastics are actually about 2″ down the sides {if you include the part that is under the binding} and 1 3/4″ from the bottom corners {also counting the portion under the binding}. I hope this helps. I could not e-mail a reply to your comment because there is no e-mail address in your profile.
Great Idea , congratulations.
http://tearpiaocupacional.blogspot.com.br/
Love this tutorial! I made one for a Kindle Touch and I added a pocket to the left and a slot for the light that M-Edge makes to the right. It was for my brother’s girlfriend’s graduation, but I may make one for myself now.
do you know, will this fit a Nook?
thanks julie
Oh my goodness, I absolutely love these. I have a Nook, and just recently purchased a leather cover with a little stand attached so I can stand the Nook up on the table while reading if I want. I almost wish I didn’t have it because I love these so much! Good for you for making such a wonderful, useful, beautiful item. And thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Julie
Julie recently posted..A Quilting We Will Go!
I really wish I had a sewing machine
can’t wait to get one- this will be a project i save to my pintrest!
Just a note to let you know I referenced this blog post in my post about Christmas sewing! Thanks for the tutoria and cute Kindle coversl! You can see my blog post at http://agirlsgottalive.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-sewing-projects.html
Very nice, thanks for a great tutorial.
Many thanks for this tutorial. I followed it to make a cover for my kindle, and I’m really pleased with the results. I blogged it briefly at http://www.martiandaze.net/blog/2013/3/23/woooosh.html. I really appreciate your clear instructions and the time it must have taken to put together.
Ellie recently posted..Woooosh…
this is a great tutorial! thanks for sharing. love the use of a lost ufo quilt block.
BECKY recently posted..Sewing Studio {Round Up of rooms}
I received a Kindle for Mother’s Day and I can’t wait to make one of these. I will love my Kindle even more.
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