DIY Tablet cover

 I joined the times and got a tablet over the summer, violently yanked into the second decade of the 21st century by Covd-19. A tablet and a stylus are a life saver when one teaches physics remotely. I have been using it extensively and have grown concerned about scratching it or otherwise damaging it. I gave some thought to purchasing a cover for it, and then thought "nah, it will be more fun to make one myself."

The main use I envisioned was to protect the back of the tablet while I use it, often lying flat on a table and writing on it, others propped up on the couch with it. That meant that any pouch type protection was out of the question. On the other hand, I did want the ability to securely protect it for transporting. Modern tablets have screens that go almost to the edge, so any type of fastening mechanism was challenging. I tried to take advantage of the fact that some parts of the tablet's frame is magnetic and tried something with beading wire boning, but that failed.

I stumbled upon an inelegant but effective method to secure the tablet to the cover.

For credit, this is the page that was my starting point. Number 12 was closest to what I needed and I mostly followed that, with my modifications. The cover can be folded and work as a stand. It only works on non-slippery surfaces and is not very secure. I am not sure how much I will be using it like that, but there it is. 

The modifications I brought to the original pattern are:

• Make it a girly case with the use of appropriate fabric. Mine will get dirty, but what can you do (I know, make a new one!). One could make something more durable using plastic inserts and pleather fabric.
• Have less top stitching along the edges, since I was working with fabric
• Use interfacing instead of a cardboard spine. Better suited for the flat tablets of today.
• Eliminate the 4 elastic fasteners at the corners. My tablet has a thin border, and I found sewing the elastics in place too fussy. Plus, I don't trust elastics, nowadays they only last a few months, if that. 
• Replace the elastic fastener with a button band because I don't trust elastics.
• Then discover that elastics are irreplaceable, and so I added an elastic band of the type that is sometimes found around cute diaries to hold them shut. That way, the tablet is secured on 4 sides when the case is closed. I discovered almost by accident that this single elastic could be used in different convenient ways.

The initial, intended use of the elastic band. Secure the tablet to the cover while transporting. 

The elastic band used to help secure the tablet while leaving most of the screen clear. One can also fold the case under and hold it in place with the elastic. And one can put the elastic entirely in the back, to hold the case and leave the screen completely clear (for instance when writing on the tablet laid flat).

Supplies

Materials

• Two pieces of contrasting fabric, each large enough to cover two tablets put side by side, plus spine and seam allowance (at least 5 cm allowance total horizontally, 3 cm vertically to be safe)
• Fuseable interfacing of the same size. The interfacing does not need the 3 cm vertical seam allowance.
• One wide elastic, the length of the tablet held vertically, unstretched (the elastic), plus 3cm or so
• Carboard. Two pieces, each large enough to cover the tablet.
• A small rectangle of fabric for the button band. It should be twice the intended width plus seam allowance (2 cm for the seam allowance is enough), and long enough to wrap around to where you want it, and add 2 cm to that (more is always better to start out, it's always easy to trim later).
• A piece of interfacing matching the button band rectangle of fabric.
• A button
• Matching thread for the project. There is top stitching involved.

Sewing notions

• Cutting mat and rotary cutter (or else good scissors)
• A ruler
• Pins
• Sewing needle
• Chalk or any kind of marking device
• A sewing machine (or else a lot of patience and the ability to produce neat stitching)
• A zipper foot if you have one, comes super handy

Instructions

As you work, follow four rules: i) leave generous seam allowances until the last minute when it's time to sew and finish. ii) constantly check how this is going to fit with your tablet. Do lots of fittings!. iii) Press often, when it seems like it's needed. My ironing board is part of my sewing station. iv) Cut/disappear any stray threads as you go. It is miserable to go back and have to tuck all those loose ends at the end.

Make a pillow case with an elastic band attached to it

1) Cut a rectangle in the interfacing. The height of the rectangle should match the height of the tablet (no seam allowance) and the width should be twice the width of the tablet, plus the spine and a jiffy. Wrap the rectangle around the tablet like a book cover to judge how wide to make it. It does not need to stick out past the tablet. It's OK if it's short, but no OK if it's too long.

2) Fuse the interfacing to the back of the fabric you intend to use for the inside of the case. Place it so that there is a 1cm seam allowance at the top and at the bottom, and on the left. On the right, leave a 2cm seam allowance.

3) After fusing trim any excess fabric you have left. Leave the right side alone.

The interfacing placed on top of the fabric, before fusing and cutting. I left generous seam allowances, as I was figuring this out as I went.

4) Cut/trim the piece of fabric you intend to use on the outside of the case to match.

5) Place the two pieces with right sides facing (that means that the interfacing will be facing outward).

6) Fold the top layer out of the way and place the elastic. Do a trial with your tablet to see where exactly to place the elastic. Then fold the fabric back over the elastic and pin in place.

Placement of the elastic. The interfacing is facing down, and on top of the interior (lilac) fabric, I laid the outside fabric (striped), wrong side facing up. There is structure on the lilac fabric that you wouldn't have. I was toying with magnetic support for my tablet, it did not work.

The two rectangles and elastic band pinned together, ready to sew. Sew along the top, left edge, and bottom edge. Leave right side opened.

6) Sew along the edges of the interfacing, on three sides: top, left, and bottom. Block the fabric edges so they won't fray (with an overhang stitch for instance).

7) Turn the work inside out, as if you were making a pillow case. Use a chopstick to push the corners out and have them come out sharp and square.

Stuff the pillow case

8) Cut the cardboard pieces, if they are not cut already. Cut two of them, each the size of your tablet plus a smidgen. Height wise, they need to be able to slide into the pillow case.

9) Keep one piece whole. Cut the other one vertically, so that you have one rectangle one and a half inch in width and the other one the left over.

Diagram of how to insert and secure the cardboard pieces inside the "pillow case" (see below)

10) Stuff the pillow case. Begin with the one and a half inch strip. Slide all the way to the end, secure with top stitches. If using a sewing machine, a zipper foot will help you get that placed exactly right along the edge, and obtain a straight line.

11) Next, slide in the second narrowest piece (the left over piece from step 9) and secure with top stitching the same way.

12) The last one to go in is the whole piece. It will constitute the back of the cover, under the tablet. Careful, this one does not go all the way in, there is the spine. Do a fitting. Place your tablet on the cover and see how this will all work. Then slide in the cardboard piece and place it accordingly. Secure it on the left side with  a row of stitches. Leave the right side open.

Finishing

Button band

13) We can't postpone anymore, it's time to make the button band. Fuse the interfacing to the rectangle of fabric you cut for that purpose. Without pressing anything yet, fold it in half lengthwise, interfacing facing outward. Stitch down the side so you form a tube. I left just a 5 mm seam allowance. The interfacing stabilizes the fabric and this is seam is not going to be load bearing.

14) Turn the tube inside out then press it flat.

15) Create a button hole at a pleasing place near the finished end of the band.

Right edge

16) Trim excess fabric at the right edge, leaving a 1.5 cm seam allowance.

17) Turn that seam allowance inward to leave a small bit of fabric hanging past the edge of the cardboard. We are going to top stitch that part.

18) But before then, insert the button band. Do another fitting and place the button band where it will work (I know, we haven't sewn the button in place yet, we'll do that last). 

19) Insert the raw edge of the button band inside the opening. Secure with a pin.

20) Top stitch down the right side, closing up the opening and securing the button band. This is not going to be the best finishing unless you are highly skilled, but take heart, it is going to be under the tablet so low visibility. The left edge is what shows on top.

Button!

21) Last but not least, the button. Place it where it belongs and sew it in place. 

Enjoy your tablet cover