iPad 2 Cover with Hand Strap Tutorial

A few days ago my husband surprised me with an iPad 2.  I was completely stressed out over the first week of school and I didn't see it coming.  Yup, he's awesome like that.  

At first I couldn't put it down.  Then I was scared of dropping it.  So I decided to make a padded cover with a hand strap.  Here you can see the finished product.

iPad 2 Cover

I started with fabric scraps and HeatnBond leftover from another project.  A quick trip to Hobby Lobby added ribbon, elastic, and batting.

I used two pieces of 8.5 x 11 paper as a pattern.  If I ever make another cover like this I'll enlarge the pattern a smidge for larger seam allowances.  My seam allowances were about 1/2 inch, which didn't give me much wiggle room.  I'd also add about half an inch of width without cardboard for the fold.  {Did I mention I'm not a professional seamstress?  I've learned a lot from trial and error.  Mostly error.}  

Cut two pieces of fabric for the inside of the cover. 

The bubble fleece worked a lot better in my head than in reality.  

Its just so. stinkin. stretchy.

I used HeatnBond to attach batting to the back of each piece.  I was very careful when ironing the bubble fleece as to not iron out all the bubbles.

I added a ribbon to the left piece for a hand strap.  I attached it using a tight zigzag in four spots (top, bottom, 3.5 inches from top, and 3.5 inches from bottom).  On the right piece I laid out the black elastic to hold the corners of my iPad and pinned.  After removing the iPad I tightened the elastic slightly before securing with another short zigzag.  Next I sewed my right and left piece together.

I pinned my ribbon ties to the edges so I wouldn't forget later.

Now for the outside of my case.  I wanted to use two fabrics so I folded my pattern almost in half horizontally (adding a seam allowance).  A modified "hot dog fold" if you will.  

 I pressed the seam open and added a ruffle ribbon to the right side.

Bonded batting to the back.

Cut two rectangles from a diaper box. They were roughly 7.5 x 9.5 inches.

Sew inside piece (fleece & stripes) to outside piece, right sides together.  Leave top open to insert cardboard.

Turn right side out and press.  Fold top seam in and press.

Sew a straight line down the crease to keep the cardboard in place.  Insert cardboard.

Carefully stitch the top closed.

Ta-da!