A tablet cover you make yourself costs less and fits exactly
You can build a protective tablet cover at home using fabric, cardboard, or foam—materials you may already own. A homemade cover takes two to four hours and costs between five and twenty dollars, depending on what you choose. The simplest versions use a fabric sleeve; the sturdier ones add padding and a rigid frame. Unlike store-bought covers, you control the thickness, the closure type, and whether it stands up for video watching.
The method you pick depends on how much protection you need and what tools you have. A sewing machine makes work faster, but hand-stitching works just as well. If you do not sew, you can glue layers together instead. The key is measuring your tablet accurately at the start—a half-inch mistake means the cover will be too tight or too loose.
Key Takeaways
- Measure your tablet's length, width, and thickness three times before cutting any material, because mistakes at this stage waste time and fabric.
- A straightforward fabric sleeve requires only two pieces of cloth, a needle or sewing machine, and thread; it takes one to two hours and costs under ten dollars.
- Adding a cardboard or foam frame makes the cover rigid enough to stand the tablet upright for watching video.
- Velcro strips, snaps, or a fabric flap can close the cover and keep your tablet from sliding out.
- Test the fit with your actual tablet before finishing seams, because adjusting after sewing is harder than adjusting before.
Measure your tablet and plan the cover size
Lay your tablet flat on a piece of paper and trace around it. Measure the length from top to bottom, the width from left to right, and the thickness (the depth when it is standing on its edge). Write these numbers down. Measure again to check—a mistake here means the cover will not fit.
Decide how much extra space you want around the tablet. Most people add one-quarter inch on all sides so the tablet slides in and out without binding. If you want the cover to be very snug, add one-eighth inch. If you want it loose enough to fit a thin case on the tablet, add one-half inch. Add the thickness of your tablet to the width measurement—this tells you how wide your fabric needs to be when you fold it in half.
For example: if your tablet is 10 inches long, 7 inches wide, and one-third inch thick, and you add one-quarter inch on all sides, your fabric should be 10.5 inches long and 15 inches wide (7 plus 7 plus one-third plus one-quarter plus one-quarter). Write down these final numbers before you buy or cut anything.
Choose your materials and gather tools
A basic sleeve needs two pieces of fabric. Cotton, canvas, or denim work well because they are sturdy and do not fray as much as lighter fabrics. You can use old jeans, a worn-out shirt, or new fabric from a store. Avoid very stretchy fabric like knit—it does not hold its shape. You need enough fabric to cut two rectangles the size you calculated above.
For padding, use cotton batting (the kind quilters use), a thin foam sheet, or even a folded towel. Padding protects your tablet from bumps and makes the cover feel nicer. If you want the cover to stand up, add a layer of stiff material: cardboard, foam board, or plastic sheets work. You can find foam board at art supply stores or online.
Gather a needle and thread that matches your fabric, or use a sewing machine. You will also need scissors, a ruler or measuring tape, pins or clips to hold fabric in place while you work, and a pencil or fabric marker to mark cutting lines. If you are gluing instead of sewing, use fabric glue or a hot glue gun—fabric glue is safer if you are new to this.
Cut and layer your materials
Lay your fabric on a flat surface. Use your measurements to mark two rectangles with a pencil. Cut them out carefully with scissors. If you are using padding, cut two pieces the same size. If you are using a rigid frame, cut one piece slightly smaller than your fabric—about one-quarter inch smaller on all sides so it does not stick out past the edges.
Stack your layers in this order: one piece of fabric (face down), padding (if using), rigid frame (if using), padding again (if using), second piece of fabric (face up). This sandwich protects your tablet in the middle. If you are not using padding or a frame, just stack the two fabric pieces with the sides you want to show on the outside.
Pin or clip the layers together so they do not shift while you work. Start at the corners and work toward the middle. If you are using a rigid frame, make sure it is centered and does not poke out anywhere.
Sew or glue the layers together
If you are sewing, use a running stitch (in and out, in and out) about one-quarter inch from the edge. Start at one corner and sew around three sides, leaving one short end open. This opening is where the tablet slides in. Sew slowly and keep your stitches even. If you are using a sewing machine, use a straight stitch and go around the same three sides.
If you are gluing, explore fabric glue or hot glue along the edges of your layers, staying one-quarter inch from the edge. Press the layers together firmly and let the glue dry according to the package instructions—usually one to four hours. Do not glue the short end that will be the opening.
Once the three sides are sealed, turn the cover right-side out if you sewed it (so the seams are on the inside). If you glued it, the outside is already facing out. Let any glue cure fully before moving on.
Add a closure so the tablet stays inside
The open end needs something to keep your tablet from sliding out. You have several choices. A Velcro strip (the sticky kind from a hardware store) is the fastest—cut a two-inch piece, stick one side to the inside of the cover flap and the other side to the outside of the cover body, and press them together. Velcro works even if the cover gets wet.
A fabric flap is another option. Cut a rectangle of fabric about three inches wide and as long as your tablet is wide. Sew or glue it to the inside of the open end so it folds over the top of the tablet. You can add a button and buttonhole, or a snap, to hold the flap closed. Snaps are easier than buttonholes if you have never sewn before—they come in kits with a tool to install them.
A straightforward tie works too. Cut two strips of fabric or ribbon, each about twelve inches long. Sew or glue one to each side of the opening, near the top. Tie them together over the tablet to close the cover. This method is the easiest if you do not want to sew a flap or install hardware.
Test the fit and finish the edges
Slide your actual tablet into the cover. It should fit snugly without forcing. If it is too tight, you measured wrong or cut too small—you can carefully cut a slightly larger opening or add more padding to the sides instead of the ends. If it is too loose, the tablet will shift around; you can add a thin layer of padding to the sides to take up space.
Once the fit is right, finish the open end. If you sewed the three sides, fold the raw edges of the opening inward about one-quarter inch and sew them down, or fold them in and glue them. This keeps the fabric from fraying. If you glued the cover, trim any rough edges with scissors and consider gluing a strip of fabric tape (like duct tape or fabric tape) along the opening edge to seal it.
Let everything dry or cure fully before using the cover. Your tablet is now protected and ready to carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a cover without sewing?
Yes. Use fabric glue or a hot glue gun to bond the layers instead of stitching. Fabric glue takes longer to dry (one to four hours) but is safer if you are new to gluing. Hot glue dries in minutes but can burn your fingers. Either method works for a functional cover.
What if my tablet has a camera bump or a kickstand case on it?
Measure the tablet with the case or bump in place, and add an extra one-quarter inch to your width measurement to account for the extra thickness. This gives you room without making the cover too loose for a bare tablet.
How do I make the cover stand up for watching video?
Add a rigid layer of foam board or cardboard to the back of the cover. You can also sew or glue a fabric flap to the inside back that folds out and props the cover at an angle. Test the angle with your tablet before gluing the flap permanently.
Can I decorate the outside of my cover?
Yes. Sew or glue fabric patches, ribbons, or trim to the outside before you seal the cover. You can also use fabric markers or paint designed for cloth. Let any paint or markers dry fully before using the cover, so they do not rub off on your hands or tablet.
What should I do if the fabric frays at the edges?
Fold the raw edges inward one-quarter inch and sew or glue them down before you assemble the cover. This is called finishing the edges. If fraying happens after the cover is done, trim the loose threads with scissors and explore a small amount of fabric glue to seal the edge.