Easy No-Sew Padded DIY Kindle Cover Tutorial
Shown here is one of the easiest, prettiest DIY Kindle Covers I've designed to date. The project as shown is a perfect fit for the Kindle 2, but would also fit a Kindle 3. This design is nicely padded both inside and out, and works very well with most common clip-on book lights. Not only is it pretty, but it is very simple to make. The entire project can cost under $11, can be done in 7 easy steps, and from start to finish takes less than a half-hour. Not feeling that crafty? See details at the end of the post on how you can win this cover. (Kindle and cat not included.)
MATERIALS:
- One Quilted placemat measuring over 13 X 18 inches – $4.99 at Kmart
- Two 6 X 8 inch artist canvas – Sold in 3 packs at Michaels and most other craft suppliers for $2.99.
- Two pieces of ribbon approx 10" – (scrap bin) $.99 At most craft suppliers
- Velcro – (junk drawer) $1.99 at most supermarkets, craft stores, or hardware stores
(Disregard black folder in photo – I thought I might use is but in the end I didn't.)
TOOLS:
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Marker
- Glue gun (Please be careful using a glue gun. They can cause serious burns.)
1.) We start this cover by making the closure. On fabric side of canvas measure along the 8 inch side (the longer side) and make a mark at the half-way point as shown. This is your reference point for attaching the ribbon.
2.) Run a bead of hot glue along the marker line and attach approximately 2 inches of ribbon along that glue. Press it down and let it set. Repeat on the other canvas.
3.) Now its time to attach the canvases to the placemat. Please note that if your placemat has different designs on the front and back, you must choose one to be seen. Lay the placemat on a flat surface (if it has a different designs on both sides, place whatever side you want to be seen down so that you are looking at the side you wish to cover. Apply glue in the center of one canvas then quickly position it on the corner edge of the placemat with the ribbon facing outward and extending beyond the edge of the placement. As shown, glue down the other canvas so that it mirrors the first; this should leave approximately an inch or so of space between the two canvases. This will be the covers 'spine'. Once this step is completed your placemat should look like the one shown, with the two canvases covering the majority of one half of the placemat.
4.) Now that the canvases are correctly positioned you can proceed with securing them further with more hot glue. This is easiest to do if you flip the whole placement, with canvases attached, over onto the other side. Delicately lift small sections of the placement away from the each canvas individually and dispense hot glue in the areas between the canvas and mat. Make sure to firmly press down each time as to better adhere the two together. There is no need to glue completely to the edges as those will be secured in a later step.
5.) Once the canvases are completely glued to the placemat, flip it back so that the side with the canvases glued to it is facing up. Fold the placemat in half over the canvases making sure that the edges of the placemat align with each other, as shown. The best way to proceed with gluing is to start at the top fold and working your way downward in increments until the placemat is securely attached to the canvases on both sides.
6.) Now that the placemat is full glued down, the only thing left to do is to VERY CAREFULLY run a very narrow bead of glue along the edge of the canvas as shown, pressing the inner and outer placemat edges together as you go. Be careful, this requires very little glue: if you use too much glue not only will it look messy and squeeze out all over the cover you have just created, it will also most likely burn your fingers.
7.) Finally we will use the Velcro squares to give the kindle a way to secure into its pretty new case. Be careful as once the Velcro is adhered down, it will be very hard to make adjustments. As shown, place adhesive Velcro squares down onto the placemat, corresponding to the corners of your Kindle. The easiest way to position them is to first place the 'fuzzy' Velcro squares onto the back of your Kindle, then attach the 'hook' squares to the fuzzy ones. Remove the plastic covering the adhesive Velcro which will be sticking to the cover, position the Kindle to one side of the placemat, and VERY gently press down. It doesn't require much force to make the adhesive stick to the fabric. The Velcro allows you to switch your Kindle between multiple covers if you so chose. (Before using this cover I recommend you let it set overnight without the Kindle but with a Kindle-sized book tucked in the middle and a few larger books stacked on the outside to press it into shape. Think of it like breaking in a pair of shoes: it will just fit better if you take that step.)
(Please pardon my assistant, who you may recognize from previous tutorials. She's certain my digital camera was created solely to photograph her.)
As easy as this cover is to make, it's even easier to WIN! Yes, you read right. I'm giving this lovely cover away (cat not included.) Just "Friend" me (C.E. Grundler) on Facebook and post a link to this tutorial on your wall and you're entered. Or purchase a copy of Last Exit In New Jersey and forward the Amazon confirmation to cegrundler(at)gmail.com. For a mere $.99 not only are you entered to win this lovely one-of-a-kind cover, you'll also get the book that Red Adept Reviews named one of the top 3 mysteries of 2010. Friend me AND purchase Last Exit In New Jersey, you'll be given not two but three chances to win! All contestants will be contacted with their entry number, and at 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 9th I will select a number through Random.org and announce the winner.
What is Last Exit In New Jersey?
