My iPad travels with me to work, to meetings, and back home each day. Introduced four years ago, the slim and smart electronic tablet has replaced my bulky daily planner/calendar, laptop, and so much more. Because my tablet is my daily commuter companion, I like to protect it with one of several different designer Tablet Keepers I’ve made with the Trace ‘n Create Templates—E-Tablet and Paper Tablet Keepers. 
It’s a treat for me to demonstrate the easy steps of sewing a Tablet Keeper and feature the opportunities for creativity, such as adding embroidery or embellishments. Warning: You may find yourself stitching up a new Tablet Keeper for each season or to coordinate with your favorite handbags. 
As the designer of the template set, I’d like to show you first hand how easy they are to create. Perhaps you’ll make one for yourself or give as gifts! First let’s look at the options.
E-Tablet Keepers
Make in three sizes to fit the Kindle, Nook, iPad, Kindle Fire, and other Slates/Tablets.
Paper Tablet Keepers
A $2.95 paper tablet can look just as smart as a $499.00 electronic tablet!
- 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.
Here are the steps to create an E-Tablet Keeper
Trace, Cut, and Interface—50 Minutes
- Find a great fabric selection. A Fat Quarter Bundle of coordinating prints make an ideal palette.
- Fold the outer fabric, align the template along the fold, and trace through the die-cut areas of the size on the template that you’d like to create.
- Cut out one for the outer tablet keeper and a second for the inner layer.
- Add fusible Shirtailor interfacing to the wrong side of each. Also cut one layer of Pellon’s Peltex.
Note from Nancy: If you haven’t noticed, you’ll see various fabrics in the photos. We took the step-by-step photos of a variety of Tablet Keepers—not all the same fabric. You know what they say about variety!
Create and Add the Strap—40 Minutes
- In the instructions, I’ll give you guidelines on the length of the straps. You’ll find that you can quickly and easily make them with 1″ Create-a-Strap.
- You’ll also be instructed where to add hook and loop tape and one O-Ring, D-Ring, or Rectangular Hardware.
- There’s no guess-work where the strap should be placed, align the template on top of the outer fabric. Draw the lower strap placement through the die-cut areas.
- Align the strap along the marking.
- Stitch three sides, ending the stitch 1″ from the right edge. The outer E-Tablet Keeper is almost finished!
Create the Interior of the E-Tablet Keeper—30 Minutes
- Place the template on the fabric. Mark the placement for the elastic at all four corners.
- Cut the elastic the noted length and stitch to the interior fabric.
Note from Nancy: Are you wondering where we purchased bright blue elastic? It’s a cut up stretchy headband! Never having enough hair to wear a headband, I didn’t know that they existed. Staff members gave the suggestion—what a great idea. Not to worry, regular white or black elastic works too!
Create an Inner Spine—30 Minutes
- Using the smallest 5/8″ Create-a-Strap, make an inner spine.
- Layer the outer and inner fabrics wrong sides together with the Peltex sandwiched in the middle.
- Stitch along each side of the spine. There’s a die-cut area on the template to mark the spine placement—you’ll have no worries about centering this important piece!
- Stitch along three edges; each side and the lower edge.
- Insert the appropriate size Precut Tablet Keeper Shapers. The Shapers are very firm, thick plastic.
Note from Nancy: The shapers are the key to creating a safe, firm, and professional keeper for your tablet. Don’t skimp on this step. Someone thought they would substitute poster board. Hmm, just think about a $500 electronic tablet protected by poster board! Not such a good idea.
Add Binding—60 Minutes
Use your favorite binding technique to finish off your E-Tablet Keeper.
Ta Da!
- Insert your Electronic Tablet. Enjoy!
Note from Nancy: These times are estimates. Some of you will stitch faster, others, well you know! Regardless, this is a project that you can accomplish in just a few hours with lasting results!
Personalize your Tablet Keeper, Watch Sewing With Nancy Online!
For a chance to win a Tablet Keeper Template, leave a comment below sharing if you have a tablet, and what kind? An iPad, Kindle, or ?
Bye for now,
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That’s a really cool idea to sew your own tablet cover.
I have a AT&T Trek HD. I really need a cover.
I just received an I pad mini for a Christmas present. I want a cover for it and would love to win the templates to make a custom cover.
i have the Kindle fire HD. I’d love to make a cover for it & also one for my grand-daughter for her tablet.Love to watch your show, but it isn’t on now
Bonnie, you could watch SWN on your Kindle Fire at http://www.nancyzieman.com!
My husband has an iPad which I use probably more than he does. He is an avid fan of a certain football team. I would love to make him a cover with the team theme.
Nancy, I recently received my husband’s handmedown iPad! It does look rather “naked” !
I’ve been away from sewing for quite some time, and this challenge may be just the ticket to re-catch the bug
Thank you for the opportunity to win a template! Beverly
I am looking for the quilted iPad cover instructions hat was in a McCall’s magazine in 2012 or 13. By Suzie Zieman
Hi Cheri,
Please contact the McCall’s Magazine. I don’t know Suzie Zieman. I am sure they will be able to help you.
I have an Apple IPad that goes everywhere with me. Love my iPad.
I have an iPad, I take it everywhere with me. Sometimes I wish I would have purchased a mini, b/c it is so much smaller.
I recently purchased a 10.0 Galaxy Tab Pro, which I’m still in the process of setting up. Would love to win a free cover pattern.
I use paper tabets and they get messed up before they are used up. This would be a wonderful way to keep them nice until I need a new one and then I can change the cover to go with the time of year instead of the boring covers you can buy for them.
I bought my two granddaughters tablets for Christmas
and I’ve already had to replace them. I need to make covers
to protect them. I want to make a cover for a notepad
for me when I go to genealogy seminars and need to take
notes. I sure would like to win the template to make it
easier. I’ve enjoyed your program for many years.
I love these! I have a Kindle Fire HD (7″).
I have a Kindle that needs a new Keeper and I would like to adapt this idea to make a case for my Samsung phone.
I have a retina display ipad-still learning all the tips…
We have a 7inch Nexus, and two generic 7inch tablets at our library for the teens to use while in the branch. Tablet covers would definitely be a great project for them to work on this summer!
We have a kindle Fire. I’d love to make a case for it!
I have a Kindle Fire and ipad mini. A couple of Christmas’ ago I had made a tablet cover using the Clover Tablet Template for a Christmas gift for my grandchildren to go with a Kindle Fire they would also receive. At that time there was only the one template, and the cover didn’t fit so I just kept it in storage. When my husband surprised me with an ipad mini about a month ago, I didn’t have a cover for it. I remembered the tablet cover I had made and was wondering if it might fit. Amazingly enough it fits perfectly! I was so delighted to know my cover I had worked on so hard and had turned out looking so professionally could now be utilized!
We’ve had an iPad for a year or so and my husband just bought me an iPad mini for an early birthday
and “sorry-you-sprained-your-ankle” gift! I love it and it goes everywhere with me. Now I want to make a new and special cover for his iPad and incorporate his favorite collegiate team logo on it, and I would love to win the template pattern. Thanks for all your blogs, TV shows, catalog items, and on and on – I’ve been following you for years!
HI, These look really cute! I have an ipad mini, but it is unprotected. Great idea about the headband, sometimes
the finishing details of a project just make all the difference!
Kathy
You offer so much to people who love to sew – I have ordered so many of your books and other items. All is enjoyable and educational. I am at this time reading your book. Our lives as children are similar in ways – however, I grew up in the South – without snow – and you in the North. I would love to win an item or so from you.
I have the older iPad that is in desperate need of a new cover. I have the magnetic one that is old and out of shape. I think it would be happy with a new fancy cover!
I have an ipad . Looking forward to making a new cover for it.
Fortunately have a grandson who is teaching me to use it. Bet if I make a floral cover, I will get to use it more…..
I received a “recycled” I-pad, this spring. Daughter said if you do good with this one, I will upgrade yours with a newer I-Pad.
I love it, I can watch “Sewing with Nancy” anytime, looking for a newer version so I can get more Apps.
Love the blogs, and your expert advice.
You give me inspiration to sew & sew.
Thank You,
Phyllis O.
I like the idea of a cover that I could coordinate with my purse when traveling. We sold many covers that were made for the ‘marble books’ that many teachers require for students at our recent quilt show. I think that the tablet idea would be a great idea also.
I love my 8″ Dell. It doesn’t replace a desktop. However, the 8″ Dell fits into my life when ever and where ever I need it to fit. It’s a computer that I hold in my hands.
I have a nook hd
An Ipad is on my wish list — my birthday is soon!
I have a Kindle Keyboard, and am hoping to get a Samsung Tab Pro 10.1 soon. Some fun sewing is what I need right now. Thanks for the give-away!
I have an iPad and that is a very over way to make a case,
I especially like the hair elastic as they come in a variety
Of colors!!!
My husband has an ipad. he bought a cheap cover, it slid out and cracked the screen! It can still be used but I need to make him one of these!
I have a ipad mini with a otter box to keep it in these are a lot more fun.
I have a kindle. I am wondering if there is a way to enclose the entire case in a zipper or if you have another wonderful pattern plus instructions for such a case.
I have an ipad air tablet that I received for Christmas. I’ve been searching for the right cover but I’m thinking I should make one….
The paper kind I have to admit. It is nice to have a sketch pad with you at all times. Also to copy down a quilt pattern from someone’s book. I also have to take measurements of people I do alterations on. So sometimes paper comes in handy.
I have a Kindle Fire 7 and I absolutely love it! I use it for so many things, I don’t know how I got along without it! I did purchase a cover for it and my Sony reader, but they are so heavy when trying to read or do anything that takes any time at all, so I would dearly love to have the keeper template so I can make some lighter, more useful covers for my electronics!
I have a Kindle Fire that I use every day. Charge it every night. Would love to have a set of those templates so I can make some fantastic covers for it.
Yes , 7” samsung tablet on it right now, use it mostly for download
To do eith my sewing,
I just got a Dell tablet. I love it. I sit and watch all of Nancy’s tutorials and read all of her blogs with it. I love to surf Youtube for all the sewing tutorials. Sewing is my passion, and my new tablet is becoming my number 2 passion.
I have a Samsung 10 tablet and would love to make a cool cover for it. I hope I win as I know that I would then need to make one for all of the family and friends. LOL.
Mini iPad.
I have an iPad. Or, should I say “I have a portable encyclopedia, extensive library, and portable unlimited knowledge!” I also have a carry with me everywhere resource for sewing and crafting ideas and aids as well as a phone directory, GPS, and access to any store I need without leaving my sewing room.
While I don’t personally own an eTablet, all my children and most of my grandchildren do. I think the only one of my several grandchildren who doesn’t have a iPad or Kindle is the 3 yr. old, and she uses her mom’s. I’d like to make covers to match their personalities. This would be a great way to use up some of my giant stash. Unless I can’t find the perfect piece for one (or more) of them; then I’d have to go fabric shopping. Win, win, win situation for everyone!
I have an iPad mini and love it. I just bought some MIchigan State fabric and was looking for a project to make something for my sister and myself (both MSU grads), so this looks like the perfect project!!
My friends have iPods and Kindles — while I don’t have an electronic device myself, I’d love to make gifts for them.
I just received a couple of months ago form my Mom as a gift a Kindle Paperwhite & I LOVE it! want to make a pretty case for it soon.
I have an Apple I pad. Can’t believe how it has changed how I do things.
I have an iPad. I would live to make a colorful and attractive cover for it. The one I have now is just black and plain.
I have the large nook because of poor vison . Will this template work with this? Hope so.
Could you please send me the dimensions of the large Nook?
Hi, Nancy!! Today I got a new IPad Air!! It would be soooo cool to make a new tablet carrier with your templates!! What a blessing to sewing you have been for all these years
I have both tablet and Kindle Paper White, which is always with me for idle moments and bedtime. I love this project and will be raiding my stash tonight for fabric! I have been a loyal viewer/customer for many years, and thank you for all the many projects, products and inspiration you have provided.
You have always shown such class and sophistication in all that you do … you are my role model!
Love the cover–might just get a Kindle Fire to go with my cute pad!! LOL!
Diane
Nancy, these are pure genius! I havea Samsung 10″ tablet and take it everywhere. Quite new to sewing so this would be awesome! Always looking for tutorials and templates to help me along my path to sewing!
Believe it or not I am on my 3 Kindle. (broke the other 2). This Kindle is smaller than the purchased cover that fit the other 2. Would love to make a cover for my new one!!
Nancy, I have an iPad 2. Love it, use all the time. My life is in that tablet. I want to dress her up like a lady like she should be.
I have an I-pad; seeing this and the various fabrics used has inspired me to want to make one………or several!!!
This is a great project to make for my IPad. Can’t wait to get started.
I have a Samsung 10 tablet that could use a snazzy, custom made cover. Have some leftover Liberty lawn fabric that might be nice. Unfortunately for my sewing room I never throw away my fabric scraps and make things for my special friends and myself. Would love to win a freebie Tablet Keeper template from Nancy’s Notions! If I win, thank you in advance, I enjoy your sewing shows!!!
Love this set! I have an IPad and love it! Drag it with me every single place – especially vacation. No more suitcases full of books!
Wow I can see why you thought we would be making more to suit our favorite bags and as the seasons change!
Love your shows Nancy and faithfully watch them in Clearwater. Have a hard time when I get to Cincy. They are on at odd times for our lifestyle. I have a couple of Kindle Fires which I love and use both daily. Have made other covers for them with embroidery on them, but these look like they would truly be fun to use.
We have ipads of different sizes in our extended family … I see a signup list coming my way for specialty covers after they see the first one. Thanks for being my best teacher all these years Nancy. I’ve been with you from the beginning.
I have a Samsung tablet that I love. I use it mostly for reading blogs and an occasional game. It needs a cover!
What fun! I love my IPad and can’t wait to make coordinating covers to match all my purses! Well, maybe I’ll start with just the summer purses!
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) is what I use and I agree, Nancy. This device is so lightweight and easy to use. It was purchased for my husband during his chemo because his laptop was too heavy. Thank you for the tutorial and the creative templates.
Grandchild approved IPad. They like to suggest new Apps.
I have a first generation Kindle, a Kindle Fire and would also love to make one of these for paper pads so I can take my lists with me when I go craft shopping. This is much nicer looking than a plain old pad.
I have several devices and am imagining covers that are co-ordinated with clothing. This could be an interesting project!
We sewers of course need to”make it my own” Already thinking of what fabric to use from my stash.
Thank you for a great website. Can always find what I need and then some
I have an iPad mini, a Nook Color and a Nook 9″ HD. I’ve been wanting to make a cover for all of them and now I want to make a cover for a paper pad so I can coordinate them all. I certainly won’t make just one! Thank you for this opportunity and for all your inspirations.
I have the iPad Air and the “original” tablet keeper template. Would love to win the 2.0 template, because it seems it will be easier to use for the iPad Air. (I am not very good at altering templates/patterns on my own since I tend to follow patterns to the letter.)
I bought the iPad so that I could sew and watch quilt shows. Works great, and I would love to be able to make a fancy cover for it.
I have an iPad and a Nook glow light. My husband has two android tablets. We are always carrying at least one of them.
I don’t have an i-pad but my daughter does and uses it all the time. I would love to make this for her for her birthday. You do beautiful work.
I have a Nook HD and take it everywhere.
I’m on my 2nd generation iPad and use it for weather, games, watch tv shows, movies, calendar, shopping list, there is no end to what you can do with this gem. ps: takes great pics and videos, too.
I have an iPad and would love to make a cover for it!
I think that would be fun to make for my Nook HD+.
That looks like it would be fun to make for my Nook HD+.
Hi – I am looking for the Apple ipad mini in the list of devices and don’t see it? Did I miss it?
Love the look.
I would really like your pattern and instructions to make my Kindle Fire a cool cover. I have fabric waiting to be cut!
Wow, what endless possibilities one has at one’s fingertips. I have two kindle, and could purple co-ordinate to my hearts content. I have enjoyed your programs since the start. My mother loved them, and we would try new sewing techniques together. She said we had no excuse to be bored.
I have a Galaxey 2 10.1 tablet and near thought you create a cover for it. Silly me! I also have a Kindle. Too late for me to whip some up something for this coming cruise but when I get home away I sew! Thank you for the great lesson! Ever thought for doing a set on sewing men’s clothes?
This would be just the thing for my grand children. They have an assortment of devices that could use these beautiful covers.
What fun to have such a variety. I have a Kindle and we made a leather cover out of material in our stash. I really like the fat quarter option.
I have a Nook, an Android, and an IPad 2. I use all at different times for different things. A coordinated Keeper would be great for all of them. But I also like the idea of the seasonal ones, too. I have made something similar, but wasn’t satisfied with the look or feel of them.
I have an iPad 3 and a Nook Color. I’ve just noticed that my iPad cover needs to be replaced. Perfect timing!
love these ! hope to make a few
Both my husband and I have iPad’s,but the first one I would like to make is for the “old school” paper legal pad. It’s my favorite device for note taking at sewing expos. This would be firm enough to serve as a lap desk. And my sew-personality could shine through. Thanx Nancy, another success with so many options. And the opportunity to win one just makes it sew much sweeter.
I have an iPad Mini. I would love to make a pretty cover for it. Thanks for all of your ideas and instructions.
I have a Nook which has been begging me for a cover forever! This tutorial looks great and the templates would definitely make sewing it so much easier. Thank you for the giveaway!
I have an IPad, a Samsung Tab 7 and Tab 10.1 tablet. I would love to have this durable template for gift making. It is a durable, yet not bulky cover pattern which makes it so easy to fit in any bag.
Great pattern! Love your tutorials! I would love to make these as personalized gifts! (and for myself, of course).
I have an iPad Air and a Nook reader. I’ve wanted to make my own cover for months!
Love these tablet covers. iPad and Kindle, a friend had just talked to me a week ago about making covers for hers. Have already notified her of this Blog.
I have a Samsung Galaxy tablet and a Kindle that would look pretty spiffy in a colorful coordinated new covers.
This looks like a great idea and the template would make this really helpful. I have made bags for my items but this looks so much better.
I have an iPad. Our grandson has an iPad mini. Would love to have the Tablet Keeper Template – lots of gift ideas! Thanks for the opportunity.
I have already made promises to make some of these but I was going to make a pattern. What a great idea to have templates. reusable for requests in years to come
my I-pad mini is a slippery little thing; always afraid it’ll slip and fall, so guess I need a cover like yours, Nancy….
Would love to make these for the iPads my daughters and favorite cousin. I have a Nook HD and the cover could use an update too!
I can see requests for four or five of these neat covers coming my way from my daughters and granddaughters! They have IPads, Kindles and other techno goodies beyond me. I have a new Samsung Galaxy Note that my husband seems to walk off with frequently. Maybe a nice flowered cover is needed to help reclaim what’s mine….
I would love to have the template set. Thank you for all of the lessons.
What great gift ideas!! Can’t wait to start!
What wonderful and timely project. My husband just bought me a Samsung Galazy 3 so I would not be bored in the hospital when I have some serios surgery next month. I made a sleeve for it but I really wanted to make “jacket”.
I have a Asus 10″ tablet. I would love to make one of these beautiful covers.
I have an original Kindle which I LOVE! My husband has an IPad and newer Kindle.
Love your shows, Nancy – watch you Mon-Fri at 8:00 AM – FAITHFULLY, and if I miss it, my husband DVRs it for me.
These look like lots of fun to make. I’m still using paper, but the kids have ipads. What fun it will be to make custom covers to suit each one’s personality. I can make a cool cover for my paper pad to take to quilt guild meetings for my notes, too. Thank you for this tutorial. I’d love to win the Tablet Keeper Tablet!
I would love to make these for the iPads my soon to graduate from college daughters. One will be continuing in Grad School and the other Nursing. I have a Nook HD and love bringing it to sewing classes.
I have an iPad and a Kindle Paperwhite. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have an iPad mini and I absolutely LOVE it … would love to try one of these covers!
I have a Kobo, other family members have a Kindle, I would love to make covers for myself and my family too. I am also a secretary for a group we belong too, so the tablet keeper would get a lot of use too.
Thank you.
I have an iPad Air. Can’t wait to make one of these covers.
I have a Kindle Fire. This looks so fun!
I have both a Kindle Keyboard and a Kindle Fire and love both of them! They travel with me everywhere, and making coordinating Keepers looks like fun! I’d love to do this!
I have a nook and a samsung galaxy.
I would love to win a tablet keeper template for my iPad.
My Kindle goes everywhere with me!