NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Tutorial: An e-reader sleeve (Nook)

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I made a couple more sleeves for a Nook and thought I’d do a quick tutorial.

Well, let’s be honest, this tutorial didn’t end up being quick. I’ve never done a real tutorial before, so I’m really hoping this makes sense. I tried to take a photo of each step, because if you are like me, you are a visual learner.

But let’s just say that this may be my first and last tutorial. I tried, I really did. But, I think other people may be better at the whole thing. Plus, I just kinda learn things as I go, and I’m not 100 percent sure it’s the best way to do it.

But these cases are cute and I think you need one, so bear with me, okay?

It’s not difficult at all, and this makes a pretty protective case for your e-reader, so it won’t get scratched or damaged in transit. The first sleeve I made (above) has held up beautifully, and I’ve actually had a lot of compliments on it.

But, let me be up front. THIS IS NOT AN ACT OF PERFECTION. I take little shortcuts and don’t expect everything to be perfect. So, if that’s a problem, you may not wish to do this project.

So are we all on the same page? Good!

This tutorial makes a sleeve designed for the Nook, but you could certainly change the dimensions to accommodate any size e-reader, or even enlarge it for a tablet of iPad.*
What you’ll need:
Fabric A (exterior) (For my fabric A, I joined 5 strips from a Top Drawer Bella Green jelly roll to give it a pieced look. You can also use a single fabric, like I did in my first sleeve.)
Fabric B (interior)
Fusible fleece interfacing
Velcro
Iron
Sewing machine and thread
Cup or something to round corners
Cutting:
Cut your fabric so you end up with:
– 2 pieces each of A, B and fusible fleece –  9.5×7 inches (main body and lining)
– 1 piece each of A and B – 8×7 inches (front pocket)
– 2 pieces of B – 5×7 inches (flap)
– 1 piece of fusible fleece – 5×7 inches (flap)

*To make it fit your own tablet or e-reader, simply add an an extra allowance to all sides. For example, I added an inch to the left and right side and an inch and a half overall to the height. (The Nook is 5×8 inches.)

Main body:
Fuse the fleece interfacing on the wrong side of the exterior fabric (A). Trim edges.

Optional: If you want to add some quilting, now is the time. I like the looks of the straight quilting lines, so I added a few about a half inch away from the lines of the jelly roll.

Use a round cup or bowl to round the edges of the bottom, like so.

Join the two pocket pieces together at the top by ironing about a 1/2 inch seam and sewing shut for a clean top.

Center a piece of Velcro on the exterior fabric (A) of the pocket at the top near the sewn area. Sew the Velcro on. (I forgot to do this, but it’s going to be much easier if you do it now.)
The pocket should be lined up about 2 inches from the top of the main body. 

Now, make a sandwich of the main body (with pocket on one side) and lining. (Fusible fleece should be on the outside.) As you can see, the bottom of the pocket is outside the main body pieces because I didn’t cut them off. That’s not a problem, they’ll be on the inside and you’ll trim it later.

Sew around from one corner to the other corner (around the curve). Do not sew shut!

Trim any excess from the pocket.
Turn right side out. You should have the main body with the finished pocket. The inside will be fleece.

At this point, it’s a good idea to check to make sure your reader fits inside. You know, just in case.

(This is about the point I realized I forgot to add the Velcro. So I quickly added it to the pocket, approximately centered.)

Flap
Fuse the flap fleece to the wrong side of one piece of the flap fabric (B). 

Center a piece of Velcro near the bottom of the flap, about an inch from the bottom. Sew onto the fabric.
This is why I sew it on now. It’s not really pretty, so it will be covered by the other piece of flap fabric.

Pin the other piece of fabric to the reverse side of the fusible fleece.

Use a round cup or bowl to round the edges of the corners (nearest to the Velcro), like so.

Unpin and Line up the wrong sides of the fabrics together. Sew around from one corner to the other corner (around the curve). Do not sew shut!

Turn right side out and iron. 

Your flap is complete!
Lining:
Pin two pieces of lining fabric (B), right sides together. Pin together.

Use a round cup or bowl to round the edges of the bottom, like so.

Sew around from one corner to the other corner (around the curve). Do not sew shut!

All the pieces come together:
I’m sure there’s another way to do this, but I’m going to try to explain how I do this. First, put the lining into the main body (with the good side of the fabric facing the interior). It should fit snugly.

Now, fold in the exterior and lining towards each other at the top for a finished seam (around 1/2 inch around the top of the exterior and interior fabric) The seams should face towards each other.  I pulled my lining out a little bit cause I think it looks cute.

Pin together.

Take the flap and insert the unfinished end of the flap into the back side of the main body, between the lining and exterior fabric. 

(Test the placement by Velcro-ing the flap to the Velcro on the front pocket).

Sew all the way around the top to finish the sleeve. This will secure the exterior to the lining and the flap. (Let’s just ignore my horrid crooked lines. It’s hard to get around the sides and I pushed a little too hard. No harm, no foul.)

And there you go. A lovely pocket for your Nook! (I also added a few quilted stitches on the flap to add a little pizazz.)

I think it turned our really cute.

What do you think?
(Although I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t tell me how horrible this tutorial is. It may drive me to drink.)

Comments

  2. Kim, I think your tutorial is spectacular! I started sewing when I was 9. Had 2 grandmas who both sewed. Haven’t sewn a stitch for 18 years, but you’ve inspired me, as my Nook arrives tomorrow, and I can’t pay $40 for a NICE cover, so I will make my own. I have leather scraps and lots of padding, so I will make it to protect from it being dropped, LOL, as I dropped my Pandigital Novel and broke the screen. Anyway, thanks so much for the great tutorial and for inspiring me!!

  3. You inspired me. And now the little sister wants one two. Looks like I’ll be making two of these.

  4. Great tutorial, thanks! I whipped one up this morning for my new nook. Thanks for including instructions on how to cut for a different size e-reader!

  5. This is the best project I have found for my kid and I to take on. This is not too hard and certainly not too easy. Just enough steps to take a while and create an understanding of cutting and measuring but not exact like clothes. This is really a good idea, appreciate it.

  6. I just made the cutest cover for my Nook using your tutorial! Thanks so much for the great idea! Mine turned out great and I only made a few mistakes in the process.

  8. what do i think? i think you did a FANTASTIC job and if i ever get an e-reader, i’ll email you so you can make one of these for me 😉 i dont have the patience (or know-how or materials) for all that!! haha.

  9. I LOVE it!! As soon as I’m done getting married, I am making this!!

  10. 1. It DID turn out super cute!
    2. If I had a nook and I could actually sew, I’d make this!

  11. You did a great job! If I had a nook, I’d bookmark this. John is always telling me I should do tutorials to bring in readers but I don’t know what I’m doing 90% of the time nor could I explain it in writing (also I’m not in blogging to drive up my numbers). But I humor him and tell him I’m just waiting for the perfect project.

  15. You did a great job with the tutorial. Tutorials, especially sewing ones, are hard and take way more time than anyone thinks! That is one reason why I opted not to do a tutorial on the nursing cover I posted today!

  17. I am most definitely impressed with your sewing skills. Thanks for the tutorial. Trying to teach myself how to sew, maybe i’ll get as good as you one day.

  18. Um, super cute. I’ll have to make one of these for my sister. Since I’m technologically behind in the reading department.

  19. You did a great job on the tutorial – I’m pretty sure I followed 🙂 I really like the fabrics that you used for this one too!

  20. Great tutorial. Your easy and my easy are a bit different. If I ever get a Kindle or E-reader, I believe I will just ask for a cover as a gift from you. You know…because you love me and you know I need it! Your wonderful skills are NOT inherited from your mother. I’m just saying….

  21. So, after our QC bloggers spring junking trip…you are going to share with me your mad sewing skills…deal? deal! 🙂

    I love this! I have a Kindle that has a beautiful green cover but this may be fun to mix it up!

  22. Thank you so much for doing this it is great! My cover for my kindle is on it’s last leg so it will need a new cover soon. Yay so happy you shared how to do this. Thank you.