A really quick and easy idea to make a fabric or leatherette case for a diary, tablet or laptop.

What we need

2 fabrics in contrasting or similar colours, according to our taste (one will be used for the outside and one for the inside, as a lining). If we are good at sewing leather we can also choose a leatherette or faux leather for the outside.

1 elastic in the colour we want 2 cm (0.8") high

2 pieces of velcro 2 cm (0.8") long each for closing the pocket

The size of the fabric and the length of the elastic vary depending on the size of the object you want to store inside, we will see how to calculate this shortly.

For a diary measuring 23x15 cm (9"x6") and 1 cm (0.4) high, you need:

Fabric 1

27cm x 17,5cm (10.6"x7") for the external front

27cm x 27cm (10.6"x10.6") for the external back

27cm x 8cm (10.6"x3") for the front pocket

Fabric 2

27cmx43,5cm (10.6"x17.6") for the lining

27cm x 8cm (10.6x3") for the pocket lining         

Elastic

27cm x 2cm (10.6"x0.8")

For a tablet or laptop case, we suggest inserting a layer of padding between the lining and the fabric.

How do I calculate fabric measurements on a diary, tablet or laptop of different sizes?

If we want to make a case of a different size we have to reproportion the materials, so starting from the size of my object I have to:

- add 3 cm (1.2") to the longest side of the object for the seam allowances + the cm thickness of the object. Iin our case the diary was 23 cm (9")on the longest side so we added 3 cm (1.2") for the seam allowances and 1 cm (0.4") which is the thickness of the diary, so in total our fabric was cut to 27 cm (10.6")

- for the shorter side we add the cm of thickness plus a 1.5 cm (0.6" seam allowance to the side of my object. In our case we made 15+1+1.5=17.5 cm (6"+0.4"+0.6"=7")

- the outer back is calculated from the front and adding about 10 cm on the shorter side for the flap to close the case. We can also take it to 12 cm for larger and thicker objects- Iin our case we did 17.5+9.5=27 cm (6.8"+3.8"=10.6").

- the height of the pocket is approximately half of the outer front, excluding the seam allowances. In our case we have made it 8 cm (3") but we can vary it according to what we want to pick up.

- the inner lining is as high as the size of the outer front + the size of the outer back. In our case 17.5+27=43.5 cm (7"+10.6"=17.6").

Process:

1. Start by making the pocket: we fix the rigid part of the Velcro (the one called hook) on the lower part of the pocket lining. We fix it with pins and then sew. Keep a distance of about 10,5 cm (4") from the outer edges.

2. Place the outside of the pocket on the lining, right sides together. Pin and sew, leaving one side open for turning.

3. Cut the corners and turn over.

4. Close the open part with a hand stitch.

5. Take the lining and cut the corners at a distance of 4 cm (1.6") from the edges. Repeat with the outer back.

6. Sew the other two pieces of Velcro (called loops) on the outer front at a distance of 6 cm (2.4") from the bottom edge and 10.5 cm (4") from the side edges.

7. Place the pocket on the outer back and overlap with the outer front, right sides together. Pin along the shorter side and sew the three parts together.

8. Place the elastic 3 cm (1") from the upper edge of the outer front. Overlap with the lining, right sides together. Pin in place and sew along all the edges, leaving an opening for turning.

9. Cut the corners and turn over. Push the corners out well.

10. Close the open part with a hand stitch.

11. Stitch all around and close the sides.

Here our videotutorial