Kindle Cover

Whoa!  My intent was not to become a weekly blogger, but so far this year (2012) that is what has happened!  My plans are to post more often and, hopefully, the rest of 2012 won't be as crazy as the first half of January has been!

For Christmas I received a Kindle Fire and I am so thrilled!  Since it is back lit, I can read in the dark!  I love that one feature probably more than any other.  It seems I spend a lot of time riding in a dark car and have always felt like I was wasting time -- now I can read!  Yes, I've had book lights for regular books, but they never seem to focus where I need them to.

What I did not have was a cover for the Kindle so decided to make one.

This is what it looks like when it is closed.

It was simple to make.  This isn't exactly a tutorial, but it is an outline of what I did to make this cover -- the first of others since I learned a lot making it.  I also missed photographing several of the steps.  I was hurrying, as usual!

First I measured the Kindle and decided how much of it I wanted covered -- be sure to add the depth of the e-reader you have if you decide to do this.  I decided I wanted it to look like a clutch purse.

I made the inside first by cutting a layer of fabric (yellow with bees for mine) and a layer of batting both slightly larger than the size needed for the final cover to allow for shrinkage during the quilting process.  Then I quilted the two layers together with a meandering stitch.

This is what it looked like at this point.  I measured the corners of the Kindle for placement and attached 1/4" black elastic for all four corners to hold the Kindle in place.

Next I prepared the outside fabric -- cutting it the size I needed plus seam allowances.

I took a graphic from The Graphics Fairy which was the bee with the wreath.  I have also used this graphic on a lamp which I'll show you sometime.

I printed it on Avery T-Shirt Transfer paper to iron on the fabric -- in this case a cream colored canvas.

Follow the instructions on the package to make sure the graphic transfers well.  I think I should have ironed a bit longer as it wasn't quite as dark as I would have liked.

It looks fine here, but next I decided to add the word Paris and I did this using my computer, a light table and a Sharpie pen.

First I used a scrolly font to print out the word Paris in the size I wanted.  Then I placed it on the light table using drafting tape to hold it in place and put the fabric over the top centering Paris under the bee/wreath.

I traced the Paris using the Sharpie which came out a bit darker than the bee/wreath, which is why I think I should have iron a bit longer during the transfer process.

Next, I trimmed the inside and put the outside right sides together with it making sure the ends of the black elastic were pinned in place.  I stitched around the edges using a 1/2" seam allowance and leaving a 4" or so opening for turning.  After pressing, I top stitched close to the edge for a sharper edge.

Can you see what I did not do?

I really meant to add a Velcro closure which needed to be added when the elastic was put in place several steps back!  It does work this way, though.

The next one might have a zipper closing around the outside, but I do like the fact that it is easy to get to the power button and it is also open so the Kindle can be easily charged while the cover is closed.

So this ends up being a prototype for future Kindle covers that will be improved, I'm sure.

So that is it -- as my husband says, "It looks like it is just your style."  I agree.

What do you think?  Any suggestions for what you would want in a Kindle or Nook or other e-reader cover?

Oh, yes, I do still read traditional books, but they aren't back lit so only when it is light!

Until next time!

xoxoXOXOxoxo

Lois

I've liked up with The Graphics Fairy Brag Monday