DIY Kindle Cover for the Lazy Crafter

I am lazy. No, maybe impatient. Or maybe just uncomplicated. The point is, I hate sewing machines and measuring. I went to fashion design school and the class I hated the most was my pattern -making class in which I had to measure (yuk!) and sew. I decided a bit later that what I really wanted was to wear the clothes, not make them. And so almost 2 decades later, I still feel the same. Nothing's changed. And so today when I make things, I hardly measure (like my cooking) and I hardly use my sewing machine. This is why I am fascinated with my glue gun and have an affection for glue.

I got a Kindle a few weeks ago and the next day I was sitting in my living room for hours trying to figure out a way to make a Kindle cover. I sought the internet for help, but most required a sewing machine and the ones that didn't, required stuff I didn't have. I went into all sorts of drawers in my home and found some pretty nifty ways of creating a cover that requires only hand sewing and stuff you might have at home that's waiting to be used! So what did I come up with? Glad you asked...

Here's what you need:
-cardboard DVD cover or plain cardboard (from any box)
 (If you are using the DVD cover, be aware that it is for the smaller Kindle. Use cardboard if you want it for the bigger sized one)
-bubble mailer/envelope (or felt)
-Glue gun and glue
-fabric scraps
-elastic (or bra-straps)
-elastic headband
-felt

DVD cover

Taking it apart

Alright, first thing is I ripped off the plastic off a cardboard DVD cover (not the plastic cases). The one I used had two flaps so I had to cut one of them off. If you don't have one lying around, you can use cardboard of any kind. Plus, the cardboard will be better for a bigger-sized Kindle. I used the DVD cover because it already folds easier. (plain laziness) Otherwise, you have two options: 1) take a big piece of cardboard and fold it like a book (or DVD case) so that you will have a spine OR 2) take your Kindle and make sure that the 2 pieces of cardboard are about 1 1/2-2 inches larger than your Kindle around the edges and leave about 1/2 inch space in between the cardboard pieces for a spine. (see below)

cut the envelope/mailer open

I had a package sent to me recently that came in a bubble mailer. I took that puppy apart and used it as a protector. (I want my Kindle safe from my clumsiness!) So if you happen to have it somewhere, grab it OR you can also use felt.  I cut the bubble wrap mailer on one side, laying it flat open (or you can use the felt). Cut the felt or bubble mailer the same size as both cardboard pieces side by side. Hot-glued it onto the cardboards, making sure it covers both completely. If you have two cardboard pieces, make sure you leave about 1/2 inch space between the pieces for a spine so that your cover can fold. (see above) Cut a long rectangular piece of felt to create the spine.

Now it's time to hot glue the fabric onto the cardboard/bubble wrap cover. First hot glue the felt spine in the middle. Then what I did was to fold over the fabric so that no unfinished edges were showing. I glued several scraps on the cover as if I was covering a present.

Make sure you cover the middle part, over the felt spine.

After covering the entire thing, leave it aside and grab your needle and thread. Time to sew! First cut two pieces of felt to cover the inside of your cover.

Then we are going to cut 2 pieces of fabric in the shape of a square: 5x5 inches. Fold it into a triangle.

Fold the sides of the triangle, about 1/2 inch, and sew onto corners of felt like this:

Now that you've sewn the bottom part, it's time for add the elastic that holds the Kindle down up on top. For this, I had a bunch of extra bra straps that come with strapless bras. (Sorry guys, go buy elastic or ask mom, sis, wife, etc...) You can use elastic headbands too, like this one below. We will use an elastic headband for later too, so make sure if you are using them, have two ready.

We are going to cut the elastic a little bit smaller than the width of the Kindle so that when you put the Kindle in place, it'll stretch a bit and hold it down tightly, but not too tight. Sew the edges of the elastic (whether bra strap or whatever you are using) to the top of the felt piece, about an inch from the top. It'll look like this:

Now that you've sewn the elastic and corners to hold the Kindle, we are going to make a little pocket for the other side. Basically, we are going to cut a piece of fabric rectangle and fold the edges and sew unto the felt piece. Easy.

Time to glue both felt pieces onto the cover!
Grab your hot glue gun and glue away. Be careful...it'll be hot. Grab something to press down the fabric pieces down so you don't burn yourself! I used an extra piece of felt and cardboard to press down. The end result looks like this:

Not quite done yet! Almost...
Time to add a piece of elastic to the spine. Grab your elastic headband and sew it onto the spine. Make sure you sew it well so that it'll stay put.

 

So, now it's time to admire our beautiful cover, but make sure that the glue has dried before you start placing the Kindle in your brand new cover. You don't want glue to get on it!

here's my lovely Kindle cover, closed.

 VOILA!!!

Isn't it lovely?