If you own an Amazon Kindle, you can easily make your own cover for your e-reader. Several websites offer sewing patterns for Kindle covers, and most covers are simple enough for beginning seamstresses.
How to Make a Kindle Cover
You don't actually need a pattern to make a very simple cover for your Kindle. Just follow these easy instructions. Because an e-reader cover requires so little fabric, you can make one from scraps you already have in your fabric stash. Alternatively, you can purchase a small amount of an expensive fabric for a high-end look.
Things You'll Need
- Empty cereal box
- 1/3 yard of pretty fabric
- 1/3 yard of coordinating soft fleece or felt
- Eight inches of ¼-inch wide elastic
- Pretty ribbon in a coordinating color
- Tape measure
- Ruler or straight edge
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Embroidery needle
- Thread
- Pins
What to Do
- Start by cutting one side off of the cereal box. You'll use the cardboard to create a stiff and protective layer inside your Kindle cover. Use the ruler and scissors to measure and cut out a rectangle that is 11 inches long by eight inches wide.
- Measure the cardboard to find the spots that are five inches from each short end. Crease the cardboard along these lines to create a shape that resembles a book cover with a one-inch spine.
- Spread out your floral fabric, and cut out a rectangle that is 12 inches by nine inches. Cut an identical rectangle from the fleece fabric.
- Cut the ribbon into two pieces, each approximately 12 inches long.
- Pin the right sides of the fabric together. Before sewing, insert one end of one ribbon piece about two inches from one of the short ends of the rectangle. Repeat with the other ribbon piece. Arrange the pieces so only about half an inch of ribbon shows out through the seam. The rest of the ribbon should be sandwiched between the two pieces of fabric.
- Sew around three sides of the fabric rectangles, using a ½-inch seam allowance. Turn your work right side out.
- Insert the cardboard into the fabric. It should fit snugly. Fold over the remaining edge of the fabric, and sew the end closed. Top stitch the entire cover if you desire.
- Cut the elastic into four two-inch pieces, and hand sew the ends together to create small loops.
- Orient the cover so the end with the ribbons is on the right. Place your Kindle on the cover and mark where the corners fall. Hand stitch the elastic loops at each corner, so you can use them to secure your Kindle inside the cover.
- Use the ribbons to tie the cover closed when your Kindle is not in use.
More Kindle Cover Sewing Patterns
If you're looking for other sewing patterns to make a cover for your Kindle, try some of the following websites:
- The Polka Dot Chair has a pattern for a Kindle cover with a top flap. This photo tutorial is easy to follow.
- Chica and Jo offers free instructions and a video tutorial for making an innovative stand-up cover for the Kindle. This design lets you read with your hands free.
- Amazon offers an e-book version of a Kindle cover pattern. This pattern costs a few dollars, and it is for a top-loading e-reader case.
Make it Special
Regardless of which Kindle cover design you decide to try, use your imagination to add fun details to your project. Choose fabrics you love, as well as appliqués, ribbons, and other embellishments that will make your cover special.
