When I initially designed the Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template, iPads didn’t have cameras! With the help of the instructions in this sewing blog, you can add a customized opening in the back of the Tablet Keeper. Here’s how!
Supplies
- Choose Clover’s Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template or Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template 2.0. Depending on your electronic device make and model, you’ll select the template that fits your electronic tablet. For the iPad, select Clover’s Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template.
- Click here to view the original Tablet Keeper Template device listing.
Click here to view the Tablet Keeper 2.0 device listing. If you don’t see your tablet listed, email us at [email protected] and we’ll add your electronic device to the listings.
- Fabric for outer tablet, inner tablet, and accents. A fat quarter collection is ideal!
- Clover’s Pre-cut Tablet Keeper Shapers
- Fusible Interfacing, such as Pellon® Shirtailor or Lazy Girl Designs Face It Soft
- Ultra Firm Stabilizer, such as Pellon® Peltex or Lazy Girl Designs Stiff Stuff
- Clover’s 1″ Create-A-Strap
- Clover’s 5/8″ Create-A-Strap
- 1″ D-Ring or 1″ Rectangle Hardware
- 5/8″ x 1-1/2″ Velcro® or Sew-on Tape
- 1/2″ wide quality elastic or one non-slip hair band. (The hair band elastic is the best; it’s thicker and often has a silicone backing.)
Assemble the Tablet Keeper
- Following the directions included with the Tablet Keeper Template cut fabrics and press fusible interfacing to fabric back.
- Use the medium size from the Original Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template for an iPad.
- To determine the center of the camera opening, place the Tablet Keeper Template over the iPad and mark the center of the camera lens on the template.
- On the wrong side of the upper back outer fabric, place a marked line 2″ from the top and 2″ in from the side, creating a square.
- Place a quarter at the lower left corner of the marked square and trace. How’s that for a new sewing notion!
- Place the outer fabric and lining fabric right sides together and pin near the markings.
- Set your sewing machine for a 2.0 stitch length and stitch on the line, completely sewing the circle. The shorter stitch length makes it easier to sew around a small circle.
- Trim away fabric layers from inner circle, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. Clip seam allowance to stitching line—with clips about 1/4″ apart.
- Pull lining through opening; press.
- Place the same markings on the Ultra Firm Stabilizer/Peltex.
- Cut away the marked circle line, leaving a slightly generous circular opening.
- Pull lining through opening in Ultra Firm Stabilizer/Peltex. Align fabric edges. If opening in ultra firm stabilizer is snug, trim to loosely fit.
- Set your sewing machine for a basting stitch and edgestitch ultra firm stabilizer to outer fabric. Take care not to catch lining fabric in the stitching.
- Place the Tablet Keeper Template on outer front fabric.
- Mark placement lines for strap closure using the die cut openings on the template.
- Press 1″ Create-A-Strap to accent fabric strip.
- Create the strap closure, following the directions included with the Tablet Keeper Template .
- Add a 1″ D-Ring or 1″ Rectangle Hardware.
- Following the directions included with the Tablet Keeper Template, position strap at strap placement lines and topstitch in place.
- Take care not to catch lining fabric in stitching.
- Place the Tablet Keeper Template on outer front fabric.
- Mark placement lines for Velcro closure using the die cut openings on the template. Position Velcro and stitch.
- Take care not to catch lining fabric in stitching.
- Place the Tablet Keeper Template on lining fabric.
- Mark placement lines for inner spine and elastics using the die cut openings on the template.
- Cut elastic and pin along markings.
- Machine baste elastic to the fabric at each cut end. Take care not to catch outer fabric in stitching.
- On one of the Clover’s Pre-cut Tablet Keeper Shapers, place a marked line 1-7/8″ from the top and 1-7/8″ from side—creating a square.
- Place a quarter at lower left corner of marked square and trace. Carefully trim away the marked circle line, leaving a generous circular opening.
- Pull lining through opening in Pre-cut Tablet Keeper Shapers.
- Align fabric edges. If opening in ultra firm stabilizer is snug, trim to loosely fit.
- Edgestitch along both sides and lower edge.
- Take care not to catch shaper and strap in stitching.
- Press 5/8″ Create-A-Strap to accent fabric strip.
- Follow the directions included with the Tablet Keeper Template to create the inner spine.
- Topstitch into place at markings.
- Insert Pre-cut Tablet Keeper Shapers into front cover opening.
- Edgestitch top edge. Take care not to catch shapers in stitching.
- Follow the directions included with the Tablet Keeper Template to add binding.
Voilà
Now you’re ready to carry your iPad in style and to use the camera without removing the iPad from the Tablet Keeper.
Coordinate Your Accessories!
Sew a Tablet Keeper to coordinate with your bag. This photo features my Hobo Tote Template bag on the right, and my City Bag Template design on the left.
Low-Tech Tablet Keepers
Don’t have an electronic tablet? No worries! Both the original Tablet Keeper Template and the Tablet Keeper Template 2.0 include directions on how to sew a Tablet Keeper for almost any size paper tablet.
For a chance to win Clover’s Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template or Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template 2.0, leave a comment and let me know what project you’d like to sew for your electronic device(s).
Bye for now,
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Thank you Nancy for all the neat notions you think of!!! I will have to add this to my list of notions to buy from your site!!
Thank you for teaching me to sew!!
I work with a dog rescue group and was just assigned the task of sewing up a few iPad covers in dog related prints to sell for our golden retriever rescue group. All of our profits go directly to medical expenses for the strays we find and abandoned dogs we select from local shelters. Many times those expenses can be in the thousands because the dogs have not had the medical care they need for years.
Oh what a great help it would be to our group if I won this prize as I could use it over and over again to quickly sew up and sell the covers at our many fund raising events. It would be so time saving to work with exacting templates and directions. Often I am given a sewing task and I do not know where to begin and cross my fingers that all turns out in the end.
As we say in our rescue group — It’s all about the dogs! How thankful I would be to receive the prize. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the contest.
I just gat a tablet for the first time and I’m excited about making a cover for it-almost as much as getting the new tablet. I love your pattern and template. I will makes great gifts, too.
I would love to win the template set – what wonderful and clear directions. Love the idea of the low tech tablet cover too as this would be a super gift!
Would love to make the iPad cover for my daughter and daughter-in-law. Thank you for all you do to keep us inspired.
I’d like to make one for my tablet and make the lo-tech version, as I write my novels in longhand on legal pads.
I would love to sew my iPad and my Kindle a cover. Something to use up the scappy fabric in my stash.
Would love to sew his and her versions for me and my husband’s Ipads.
Would love to make the Ipad Air cover and matching purse.
How cool! Love this idea!
Would like to make one for my IPad mini.
Would love to make your cover for my IPad mini.
I would like to sew a keeper for my IPad mini.
I would make one for my iPad mini. Than could make others for gifts. Thanks!!
I,ve been looking for a cover for my ipad but they are so expensive. I’d love to try this!
I would love to make the I-Pad cover for myself and the mini cover for my husband. Oh I forgot my Kindle ,too. Sew many uses,
Thank you Nancy
I’m going to make an ipad cover. i can’t wait to try the templates!
what fabric line did you use for the bags shown above? i love the black and green.
Donna, I”m afraid the fabric was from my stash and is no longer available. Sorry!
As much as technology scares me, I think making this cover would be much less anxiety causing!
Nancy i love your blog. i would like to make the Trace ‘n Create Tablet Keeper Template 2.0. thank you for all the wonderful inspirations!
I would like to sew the iPad tablet keeper for my daughters. They both use them for work, and it would make a great gift. Thanks for your informative emails, Nancy!
Wow what great patterns I think I like the ipad best.
I adore making covers for hi & lo tech uses. It allows me to use colors and quilting techniques, embroideries that I would not tackle in larger doses. Thanks ever so much for the inspiration!
I have one of the purchased ipad covers but I think making my own would be an expression of ME! Thanks Nancy…for all the years of teaching and inspiration.
I would like to see patterns for sleeves for laptop computers. I am retired but when I taught I made a sleeve for the Mac computer the school provided. I would like to make one for my Sony Vaio that I have at home.
Who wouldn’t love to make all the accessories in coordinating fabrics. What a fabulous set (or gift)! I love it!
Hello Nancy, I purchased your Clover Tablet maker and have made ONE gift 8X11 tablet with plans for two more…great to remember the need for a camera/optic view hole!!!
My first problem was that one corner curled up when I put the binding on.
Thank you for such clear graphics on this post…I will be making my work look more professional! Still would love to WIN!
I have a new iPad and would like to make a unique cover for it. I love using your templates. Makes the job a lot easier.
I would love an Ipad cover/holder/bag with an over the shoulder strap. That plus the camera opening would be great–something secure enough that there would be no chance of it falling out but open enough to be easy too use.
Am I asking too much?
I would like to make a cover for my kindle and these templates would make it so easy. Love your products and this blog. So helpful.
I meant iPad.
My husband just ordered me an Ipod with points he had from work so I could really use this.
I would love to START with the original iPad cover to replace the sliding, never-in-place one I have…then I would progress to making one for each of my grown daughters that would more adequately reflect their style, instead of the utilitarian covers on theirs!
My daughter bought me the e-reader trace n create pattern for Christmas. How do you make the elastic straps tight enough and still keep the fabric nice and flat? When I left the elastic un-stretched it seemed to be too loose so I tightened it up and now the case pulls in at the attachment points. I’d rather have it tight enough and not so perfect but thought someone might have some hints for me.
iPad covers would be great to make for gifts!
Would like to use this basic pattern to protect my new Kindle, so I do hope to have my entry chosen!
Love the simple method of making the ipad cover, and the idea of making a matching bag to go with it. Like to be coordinated if possible.
Thank-you for figuring this out for us!! I would love to make this for my Toshiba Tablet AND to make one up for my paper 5×7 tablets that I carry to meetings for notes.
I made these for the granddaughters, and added a zipper pocket to hold ear buds and chargers. Thanks for more ideas.
My IPad mini needs a new cover as my grandchildren love to play with it.
iPad Air was given to me by husband and two kids. Love it and would love this template. Pinning!
I recently purchased your Florida Tote templates… I’d love to make a matching iPad cover. Thanks for a great tutorial on making a window for the camera!
My husband just finished building me a beautiful sewing area; lots of cupboards, a huge cutting table and plenty of counter space! I love my electronic gadgets and I love to sew. This is the perfect project to bring both together. Thanks, Nancy!
DEAR NANCY’ I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS A 17 INCH LAP TOP AND CAN’T FIND A CARRY CASE FOR IT . DO YOU HAV A PATTERN FOR A 17 IN ????? THANK YOU (SEW ) MUCH, JOYCE S
Dear Joyce, thanks for writing. We do not have a pattern for a 17″ lap top as of yet!
Here you go Jen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Mint_coin_sizes
You always pick up on our needs! I have attempted making covers, with no success. These templates would be great! All the new technology added to our electronics is being enhanced so quickly that it is hard to keep up with. My grandchildren (who can’t seem to keep there pads safe) are always asking for upgrades. Thank you for keeping us up- to-date!
A quarter is .955 inches in diameter
Great idea, especially being able to color coordinate. As I carry a leather portfolio everyday at work with an 8×11 pad of paper in it, I would love to make a portfolio pad for it to go along with an IPad cover for my IPad. Would this tool work for such a size too? One of the photos suggest it might.thanks!!
Ering, the Tablet Keeper template has instructions for low-tech tablets, too! At this end of this link, you’ll see the paper tablet option. I’d recommend using the original tablet keeper for 8 X 11 tablet. http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/sewing-2/sew-a-tablet-keeper-new-sizes-for-electronic-tablets/
Jen in Oz, a quarter is approximately the same size as a Euro coin or an Australian dollar coin. You could use either interchangeably.
A quarter is about 2.4 cm.
I would love to coordinate my IPad cover with my other accessories. Thank you for another great idea.
I would love to make an IPAD cover to change my old ugly one
Great tutorial, Nancy! Another possibility for creating a hole for the camera would be to install a grommet in the tablet keeper after you’ve done most of the construction. I also thought about digitizing a large eyelet to stitch out with the embroidery machine.
Nice idea Audrey. Since I use the tablet keeper shapers which are somewhat substantial, we had trouble keeping the grommets locked. If you didn’t use the “shapers” your idea would work well.
Love the idea of a shoulder strap. Would love to make one for my daughter.
No question, I would like the iPad keeper template. We have more than a dozen I. The family and I can just see myself making some great, creative, and not too complicated Christmas gifts! But the first one would be for me!
Would love to sew a cover for my Note 10.1.
These instructions are great, thank you!
That’s BRILLIANT! Thank you for another great idea.
Great tutorial for adding the camera hole! I would love to make this iPad cover!
How cute and useful.
I love this idea as I just received a new iPad too. I wonder if it would be too difficult to add a little pocket for ear phones? I love the ones here! Thank you : )
Deborah, yes, we have an idea for you! During a tablet keeper blog tour, Mary Mulari added a zippered pocket to the front of her case. Here’s a link to the blog tour. Look for Mary’s link at the end of the blog: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/quick-sewing-projects/tablet-keeper-blog-tour/
I would love to win the Tablet Keeper Template. I have iPad, mom has a Kindle. I would make a mother-daughter matching set. How trendy is that? This an awesome tutorial, thanks Nancy!
For those of your readers who like me are not in the US, would it be possible for you to indicate the size of the hole that should be cut for the camera? I’m not really sure how big a quarter is!
This looks really GREAT. I’d love to make one!!
I would love to make this iPad cover as I just bought a new iPad. I also would like one with a shoulder strap/handle. Thank you for always being an inspiration in my life! You always prick my creativity!
Would love to win the IPad 2 template. I just got an ipad and this would be great. Love your emails.