A Pretty Case... Tutorial

By using your own measurements for your device you can make this pretty cover to fit anything! I made this one to fit a notebook I use to keep track of our monthly budget. I hate to pay the bills, but when I pull out my pretty cover I feel a little bit better.

Supplies:

3 fat quarters, or a little little more depending on the size of your case. A fat quarter measures 18" x 21". To make a case my size my biggest piece was 11" x 17" (fits a 8" x 10" notebook). Read instructions below to determine how much fabric you will need.
light-mid weight fusible interfacing approximently a half yard
pretty trim of your choice

To get started you first need to measure your device, journal or book. Cut 2 pieces of fabric (one for the outside and one for the inside of your cover) twice as long as your device, making sure to leave a 1/2 inch seam allowance. For instance, my notebook was approximately 8" wide by 10" tall so I cut my two pieces of fabric 11" tall (half inch seam allowance on top and bottom = one extra inch) by 17" wide (doubled the 8" and added the inch for the seam allowance). If you are using a journal or book with an extra wide spine you'll want to measure the spine and add that many inches to the length as well.

After you have your 2 pieces cut, adhere a light to mid weight fusible interfacing such as Pellon to the outside piece. Follow manufactures instructions.

To create the pocket to hold your device on the inside, measure a piece of fabric that is the height of the cover (my my case 11") and about 2 inches short of the width of your device. Now double the width, cut out your piece and fold it in half. So for instance, my notebook was 8" wide, I subtracted 2 inches = 6", then doubled that to make 12". So I cut a pocket piece to be 11" X 12". Now fold your piece in half and press with an iron to create a crease...

At this point you may want to make a pocket for the other side as well to hold a pencil, scratch paper or in my case a check book and stamps for paying my bills each month. Decide how large you want your pocket to be and cut 2 pieces of fabric that size (plus seam allowance). Sew the 2 pieces right sides together, leaving a small hole to turn the pocket right side out. Now turn your pocket right side out and press flat. You can sew up the hole and top stitch it to the opposite side of the device pocket (we'll get to that in a few steps, set your pockets aside for now).

To create the pretty ruffle I took a piece of fabric that was 3 inches by 20 inches (or double the HEIGHT of your device/journal. Remember mine was 8" wide by 10" high so I doubled the 10 inches to give me plenty of fabric to make some cute ruffles). Fold your piece in half lengh wise (right sides together) and sew along one side to create a tube. Turn right side out and press...

Lay your ruffle piece on top of the case piece, about 2" from the side...

And start gathering or adding pleats as you top stitch along...

In the end you'll end up with something like this...

You'll notice on my finished project I added some trim to each side of the ruffle. This was an after thought but I really liked the way it looked. I ended up just hot gluing it to the underside of the ruffle (shhh, dont tell!). If you would like to add the trim I would do so now by sewing it directly to the cover underneath your ruffle.

Now to get back to your pockets. Top stitch along the folded (top) edge of each pocket, like you see I've done below...

You'll now want to add your smaller pocket to the inside of your case by top stitching it into place...

Lay your two pieces of fabric out as shown below. I have my inside case piece on the bottom with my pockets into position. I've only top stitched the smaller pocket into place. The larger pocket to the left is placed into position and will be sewn into the seam in the next step, catching 3 of the 4 sides and creating a pocket to slip your device into.

Next, flip your top piece down directly over your bottom (or inside) piece  (right sides together) and pin all the way around...

Sew all the way around your piece, leaving a small opening to turn in right side out when you are through. You will catch the 3 sides of your device pocket into the seam allowance as you sew. Turn your entire cover right sides out through the small hole. Make sure you flip the device pocket around so it's on the inside of your cover. Press your cover well and top stitch around the outside.

By following these instructions you should be able to create a cover to fit any sized item, whether it is a Kindle, Nook, iPad, book or in my case a budget journal.