Tablet Cover and Tote Bag

My husband likes to get me technology. And I like to receive it. He recently got me a Samsung Galaxy tablet to replace my iPad. (Which is for sale…nothing wrong with it, I just like the Android format better…message me if you are interested.) I love my new tablet, but I needed a case for it. I did a little research and decided I could make my own.

So, I set about devising my plan/pattern. I knew I wanted the tablet to be easy to remove from the case and I wanted it to be hardbacked so it would stand on its own. I also wanted it to have removable boards since it would be made from fabric and it was important that the case be washable. I measured my tablet and got to work on figuring out what fabric pieces I would need and how I would construct the whole thing. This process took for.ev.er. But it was necessary to have a good plan before I started hacking into my lovely (and not cheap) home dec fabric. I am not going to post a full tutorial here, but here are a few construction details:

1. The tablet is held in place at the corners with a couple fabric triangles and a couple pieces of elastic. This holds the device in the case securely, but allows me to take it out easily. These corner pieces are also designed so as not to obscure any of the buttons or speakers on the sides of the device.

2. There are three removable boards, tucked into pockets to make the case rigid. I actually cut up an old 3-ring binder to be the boards and then I covered them with some coordinating cotton that I had lying around. (Just so they didn’t look like a cut up, old 3-ring binder.)

3. The placement and design of the boards is to allow the case to stand up on its own. It has one larger board behind the actual device and then the cover is divided into two sections so that it folds over on itself. The layer of fabric inside the case is lined with soft batting to help cushion the tablet.

4. It closes with a small piece of elastic and button. The button has the dual purpose of securing the closure as well as helping to prop up the case. I simply fold it around and prop the edge underneath the button.

I do love it and I think it turned out really well. There are a few things I would do differently if I were to make another one (which I probably will someday).

I would line the outside fabric with at least medium-weight interfacing. I didn’t think about it when I was at the fabric store and then later when I was constructing it I was “in the zone” and didn’t want to wait to go back to the store in a few days. The case is still fine, but the interfacing would have helped to make the outer layer of fabric look more smooth.
Topstitching…this was actually in my original plan; however, I neglected to leave enough room around the pockets to do the topstitching. I should have made the center seam a bit narrower and that would have scooted the boards in just a bit. The topstitching would have made the outside look a little more polished and professional.
The elastic…I think the white elastic is fine, but it stands out so much against the brown of my lining. I probably should have found brown elastic or dyed the elastic. I also should have sandwiched the top piece of the elastic between the outer fabric and the lining, instead of to the pocket. It just pulls at the pocket fabric causing it to pucker some.

So, voila! Tablet Case…

The next thing I wanted to make was a coordinating tote bag/purse to go with my new case. I’m not usually a purse person…At this point in life I am a diaper bag person, but I found myself in a few situations where I needed my own bag. Church is the biggest one that comes to mind…once I drop off the children, I also drop off their bags. So then I am left to carry in my hands my keys, tablet, Children’s Ministry pager, security tags, and my phone. So I whipped up a bag.