Is Santa bringing you a shiny new tablet for Christmas? If so, you might want to make a protective sleeve for it. Here is the fastest sleeve you will ever make! They are so fast that I made three of them in under 2 hours! After I made one for my tablet, I decided that I needed one for my keyboard (the one that attaches to my tablet), and one for my travel mouse. This is also perfect if you like to throw an e-reader into your bag! I didn't want a flap of any kind, I wanted to be able to put the tablet in my purse and just pull it out of the sleeve. I did however add a KamSnap to the center to keep it from sliding out if my purse or tote bag were to fall over. The snap is optional. If you want a snap and don't have the KamSnap system, you can use a regular sew-on snap. OK, let's get started!
First, you're going to need the following items:
Exterior fabric
Lining fabric
Fusible fleece
The amounts for the above items will be determined by how large your tablet or device is.
Another note about the fabric, if you pre-wash it, don't use fabric softener. It can prevent your fusible fleece from sticking properly.
You will also need:
Thread to match fabric
KamSnaps or sew-on snap (both optional)
General sewing supplies such as scissors, pins or clips, needles, iron, sewing machine, etc. A cutting mat and rotary cutter is helpful, but not necessary.
Instructions:
1. The first thing you need to do is measure your tablet or device. If you have any buttons or ports that extend beyond the device, you will need to be sure to include that in your measurement.
First, determine how you want your tablet to slip into your sleeve. I like mine to have the opening along the longest part of the tablet since it will fit in my purses and totes best. I will take that measurement first, it will be my "width." Be sure to include the tablet's depth in this measurement. I will then add 1 1/4 inches to that number. This will allow for your 1/4 inch seam allowance and give you a perfect fit. You don't want it too tight.
Example: My tablet measures 10 3/4 inches (including the depth), so I'll be cutting my fabric at 12 inches wide.
To get the measurement of the height (top to bottom when it's in the sleeve) you are going to measure all the way around, and add 3 inches to that number.
Example: My tablet measures just under 15 1/2 inches all the way around, so I will cut that fabric 18 1/2 inches. This will give plenty of room if you want to add a snap at the top. If not, any excess can be cut away later.
Note: If your exterior fabric has a one way design such as words, you can add another 1/2 inch to this number, then cut the fabric in half, place the two pieces right sides together, then stitch along the bottom edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Only do this with your exterior fabric, unless your lining fabric has a one way design also.
2. Now that your exterior fabric is cut, cut these same amounts from the fusible fleece, and lining fabric.
3. Iron the fusible fleece to the back side of the exterior fabric. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the brand of fleece you will be using.
4. Fold this piece with right sides together and stitch down each side, leaving the top open. Repeat this with the lining fabric. You can cut away some of the bulk from the seam allowance if you want, just don't get too close to the stitching.
5. Turn the exterior fabric right side out and iron. Slip the lining inside the exterior fabric (wrong sides facing each other) and pin at the seams to hold temporarily. Slip the tablet inside and fold the upper edges to the inside, where you want the opening to end. If you kept your seam allowances at 1/4 inch, your tablet should fit in perfectly. As you can see, before I folded my edges in, I had quite a bit of excess fabric at the top. I decided that I want a snap, so by folding my fabric about 3/4 inches, I will have enough room for my snap. Now, take out the tablet and remove the pins. Fold the edges 3/4 inches to the wrong side and iron. Repeat this step with the lining.
Note: If you don't want a snap or closure of any kind, you can simply cut away the excess so that you only have about 1/2 to 3/4 inches to turn under.
6. Slip the lining back into the exterior, lining up at the seams and the folds. Take back to your machine and stitch along the upper edge, close to the folds. Your open arm works well for this step.
7. If you have a snap to attach, you can do that now. That's it! You are done!
Do you prefer a flap on your tablet sleeve, or maybe you'd like to make a simple wristlet? I've got you covered! I just happen to have a tutorial right here on the blog, where I made one with a flap. You can find it right HERE.
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