DIY iPad Cover from a Fat Quarter

Make a simple DIY iPad cover to protect your screen and keep your pencil handy. This project uses a single fat quarter and basic sewing techniques.

I’m Keri from One Mama’s Daily Drama. I finally took the leap and bought myself an iPad a few months ago. It’s been super handy for small tasks that I want to work on in the evening while watching tv. I worry that my tablet will get scratched if I just leave it on an end table so I decided to make myself a DIY iPad cover. As a bonus, this includes a small pocket to keep track of my Apple Pencil too.

blue fabric DIY iPad cover from a fat quarter with an Apple Pencil pocket and a velcro tab closure

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I used basic cotton fabric, but other materials would probably work fine too. I tried making this with a stretchy fleece but found it too bulky. If you’re working with scrap fabric, feel free to mix and match the pieces you use!

How to Make a DIY iPad Cover

My tablet is the 9.7-inch iPad Pro and measures approximately 9.75-inches tall by 6.75-inches wide.

You can use the same technique to make a fabric cover for any size tablet or smartphone. For other devices, you may need a smaller or larger piece of fabric. Most of these steps can be done simply by laying any device on top of the fabric. Be sure to leave yourself a margin for hemming.

What you need:

Craft/DIY Tools Needed:

Supplies Needed:

fabric fat quarter (18×22 inches) – This one is similar to the one I used.
coordinating thread
adhesive velcro for fabrics

Instructions:

1. Iron the fabric.

Start by ironing your fabric to remove the wrinkles and creases. Unfold the fat quarter, leaving it folded in half with the seam at the top, so the piece measures 11×18 inches.

blue fabric on a ironing board beside an iron

2. Cut fabric into 3 pieces.

For the main section of the DIY iPad cover, fold the fabric in half to cover the tablet and cut 3.5 inches off the right edge. To determine the size, I folded one end over the tablet and left about a half-inch overhang.

For the pencil pocket, I took that 3.5×11 inch end piece and cut 2 inches off of the bottom. Make sure the top edge is still folded over. Save that last little piece for the closure.

An Apple Pencil sitting on a small scrap of fabric

3. Sew the pencil pocket.

Take the 3.5×9 inch piece and fold it in half vertically, making sure the folded edge is at the top. Sew a running stitch down the open side and across the bottom.

hand folding a small piece of blue fabric in half

Turn the tube right side out. I found that the pencil was handy for getting it started.

blue fabric partially covering an Apple Pencil

Position the pocket on what will be the front of the iPad cover. Mine is lined up with the left side, about an inch from the edge.

pencil sitting on a small piece of fabric on top of the iPad cover fabric

Use a running stitch to sew the pocket in place along both long sides and the bottom.

Sewing a small piece of fabric onto a larger piece of fabric

4. Sew the main iPad cover body.

Fold the main piece of fabric in half again with the pocket on the inside. Use a running stitch to sew around the sides and the bottom.

hemming the iPad cover fabric with a sewing machine

Trim the bottom corners off of the fabric before turning it right-side out. This helps the corners look square because there isn’t fabric bunching where the seams meet.

blue rectangle of fabric hemmed on 3 sides with the outline of a pocket

5. Add the closure.

Take that last little piece of fabric and fold it in half. Sew a running stitch down the open edge and turn the tube right-side out.

Fold one end down to prevent unraveling and center it along the top edge of the backside of the cover. Use a zigzag stitch to sew it in place.

folding in the short end of a piece of fabric

Attaching the closure piece to the iPad cover with a zigzag stitch

Fold the other open end down and stick the velcro piece over it. Depending on the size of the velcro, you may need to sew a running stitch around it to keep the loose fabric ends flat. If your velcro goes right to the edge of the fabric, it should hold everything flat.

Attaching velcro to the fabric closure end

Put the other half of the velcro together and remove the backing, then fold the cover closed to position and stick the velcro in place on the main section of the cover.

Adding the other side of the velcro to the fabric body

DIY iPad cover sewing tips

Backstitch all of the thread ends a few stitches to ensure they don’t pull loose. Backstitching simply means running the sewing machine in reverse for 3 or 4 stitches at the beginning and end.
Trim loose thread ends as you go so you don’t have to hunt them down later.
Remember that handmade items are rarely flawless. Have fun and be creative!
If necessary, spot-clean the cover, rather than running it through the wash to avoid warping or shrinking the fabric.