Nook Cover Project

I designed a nook cover that I really like.  The cover opens like a stenographer notebook and acts as a support while in use.  Here are the basic directions to make your own.  This design can be used for other electronic readers, but my measurements are for the Nook.

The nook is 5”x 7 ⁶/₈”. Basically I wanted to make my cover larger on three sides to protect it and have enough room to store a flashlight or clip on a flashlight.  My finished cover 6 1/2 by 8 ½.

You will need:

·         Three pieces of sturdy fabric like a no-wale corduroy. 

            Denim is a  bit too smooth to allow for a good grip while holding the nook.

1 -  14”  wide  x 19 ½” long                                                                                                                                 

1 -  4 ½” wide x 5” long.

            1 - 6” x 9”  can be complementary or matching fabric. Fabric with a nap helps hold your                                  device in place

·         3 pieces of very stiff cardboard (not corrugated)

                                2 -  6³/₈” x  8 ½ “

        1 - 6³/₈ “ x 1”.

·         A piece of lighter-weight cardboard…like a cereal box – 5” x 7 ⁶/₈”; the same size as the nook

·         16 inches of 1 inch wide elastic – cut into 4 pieces – 4 inches long.

·         Glue gun

·         Sewing machine

·         Duck tape

·         Large snap

·         Masking tape and marker

·         Sewing needle, scissors, and thread

Design Placement

I happen to have an embroidery machine, so I decorated my fabric before I started putting it together.  If you plan to decorate the outside or inside, make sure you note which section is front, back and inside/back.   After all, this cover folds out so that the inside cover can be viewed.  Hint: If you’re fabric is very plain and you want to add some pizzazz,  use a colorful ribbon and stitch it onto the front of the cover before stitching the rectangle together or glue the ribbon in place after the cover is done.  By making the ribbon longer than the cover, you can use the ribbon as a closure instead of making the tab.

To make the tab closure, fold the smaller piece of fabric into a rectangle and sew the longer sides together.  Move the seam to the center, and then stitch one end.  Turn right side out.

Fold the sturdy fabric, in half, right sides, together to form a rectangle 7” by 19”.  Find the center of the top of the rectangle, and place the tab between the two layers, raw edges even, and the seam on the tab facing the back.  If you’re unsure if it’s facing the right way, pin in place and fold out the fabric to see if it’s where you want it.  Sew a seam long the top and the side ¼ inch wide.  Leave the bottom open.  Turn the rectangle right side out.

Sew ½ of the snap to the front of the cover, about 2 ½ inches from the opening and centered on the cover.  Do this BEFORE inserting the cardboard support.

Use duct tape to assemble the very stiff cardboard into along rectangle.  The 1 inch piece will act as a spine so that there is space for the nook inside the holder.  The duct tape acts as a hinge connecting the front and back.   Duct tape can be used to re-enforce the bottom edges of both the top and bottom since the cover is going to be resting on either you or a table and you don’t want the edges to bend over.

Slip the cardboard into the rectangle.  If you find it’s a bit loose, remove the cardboard, turn the rectangle inside out, and re-sew the side seam, taking a little deeper seam.  It should be tight enough to prevent the fabric from moving, but loose enough for the cardboard support to be slipped inside without a huge struggle.

Fold the open edge in, and use a blind stitch to close the bottom of the cover or glue it shut.

To begin assembling your cover, fold the complementary fabric around the lighter-weight cardboard.  Fold in the corners first and use hot glue to hold it in place.  Fold the four sides over and glue them in place.   This will be a platform to which the nook will be attached with elastic.

  

Mark the platform for placing the elastic and use the glue gun to secure the elastic in place .  The device can be used for seeing where to place the elastic, but remove it before you begin to glue.  You don’t need to allow for space for the device under the elastic.  The flatter the elastic lies across the front of the platform, the firmer it will hold the device.

Place the platform on top of the inside back cover and decide if you want it centered or slightly to one side.  If you expect to store a clamp on light or flashlight, moving it to one side or the other will give you more room to store it.  Glue the platform in place.  Glue a small piece of elastic to the side of the platform to hold the flashlight.

Mark where the snap hits the tab when the device is inside, and add the other half of the snap to the tab.

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