The Apple iPad comes with a polished, shiny surface. However, this surface is also very prone to scratches and damage when dropped, even from small heights. Keeping your iPad in a sturdy cover will avoid such damage. This article will help you learn how to make an iPad case from cloth, and help you choose the right materials as well as give you some pointers on how to make your iPad case an original. Not only will this keep your iPad scratch-free, but it will also allow you to make your very own fashion statement!

If you don't want to create your very own iPad case, remember there are several types of cases to be bought, including one from Apple itself. While these official cases lack the individuality of a home-made case, buying a case will ensure you the iPad will be stored safely, without risk of the device falling out and getting damaged after all.

There are several possible cases, each with its own advantages. You can choose how sturdy you want your case to be, whether you want to be able to operate your iPad with the case still on, or not, and how decorative you want your case to be. Here are some pointers that will help you decide the type of case you want to create.

• The display area of the iPad spans most of the front of the device. Therefore, if you want to be able to handle your iPad with the case still on, you will be limited in your options for the type of cases to sturdy, or even hard materials. Using normal cloth is too floppy, and won’t effectively hold your iPad.

• If you only want to be able to see the iPad display (for example when watching a movie), you can opt to incorporate a plastic see-through display in your cover. This allows a wider range of materials to be used for your case, but creating a case with cut-out plastic window requires craftsmanship, and the plastic edge might scratch your iPad, when not created correctly.

• If you only want to keep your iPad in its cover for transport, and will take it out when in use, you have the largest set of options to choose from. As the case will fully cover all sides of your iPod, your iPod is best protected. Also, this allows you the most freedom to be creative when creating and decorating your iPad case. Sticking on additional patches, fabric designs, and even the way the case is closed on the top side are up for experiment.

Choose the fabric that you want to use for your iPad case, and then start to cut:

1. Place your iPad on the fabric. Ensure it is facing portrait (short side under), and enough fabric is underneath it. There should at least be two inches of fabric above the iPad, and at least one iPad length below it. If you use a fabric with design print, ensure the design is on the INSIDE of the fabric (eg touching your iPad)
2. Fold the fabric over on top of your iPad. Your iPad should now be completely covered by fabric. Make sure the design pattern is to your liking, and move the iPad and fabric if needed. In the end, you should have the iPad completely covered with fabric, and at least two inched of fabric on the sides and top (back).
3. Use a marker to outline the area around the iPad. This should result in a strip twice as long plus two inches as the iPad, and a few inches wider than the iPad.
4. Cut the marked line.

You now have the outline of your case, and we are ready to create it. Make sure you have some pins, your sewing needle and thread ready.

1. Again, place the iPad on the cloth, and fold it into position.
2. Use the pins to carefully wrap the sides of the cloth together.
3. Take the iPad out
4. Cut off any excess fabric. Also cut the corners, making them round.
5. Stitch the cloth together, either using your sewing needle and wire, or a sewing machine.
6. Turn the cloth inside-out. The edges of your case are now neatly rounded, and your design is on the outside.

Your basic case is now finished. You can decorate it with additional patches, or by stitching on your name, or other text. Be careful with adding buttons of other hard materials on the top of the case. If you accidentally sit on the case (or otherwise put excessive pressure on it), having a hard object there increases the risk of damaging the iPad screen.
If you decided to cut out the iPad screen area, now is the time.

1. Put some filt or paper on top of the iPad, and mark the size of the display.
2. Turn the case inside-out.
3. Place the cut out paper/filt on your case, ensuring the paper is placed at the same height and width as the screen on the iPad.
4. Mark the cut-out area.
5. Make the cut. If you have trouble cutting through the cloth, fold the cloth, and make an incision in the middle of the screen area. You can then cut the cloth towards the edge of the area, which you need to cut out.