Christmas Cracker Hats
The biggest issue I have with the changes to what I understand to be a very British tradition of Christmas crackers in order to make
As we begin the run-up to Christmas I thought I’d share a few ideas of things you could make for gifts. I mean this one is by no means festive in any way it’d just be a great gift for someone you know who loves their E-Reader or Tablet and it’s really easy to make. This is also what I would call a fat quarter project, as the pieces are small enough that you could get them all out of a fat quarter, which is great for anyone who has a large stash of those lying around.
I like my kindle to feel like a book, I know that probably sounds odd when I could use an actual book to read from but my kindle brings me too much convenience so I created this cover for it. It also means it looks cool when its sat on the coffee table etc too as it gives off the fancy sketchbook vibes.
Materials: (Fits my 6″ Kindle)
Outer Fabric – 1 Piece 32cm x 19cm
1 Piece 5cm x 19cm
Lining Fabric – 1 Piece 15.5cm x 19cm
1 Piece 13.5cm x 19cm
Elastic – 4 Pieces of 1cm Wide Elastic at 6.5cm
1 Piece of 3cm Wide Elastic at 19cm (Optional)
1 Piece Elastic Cord at 4cm (Optional)
Mountboard – 2 Pieces 17.5cm x 12.5cm
1 Piece 17.5cm x 1cm
1x Button (or alternative closure such as popper/magnetic fastening if you prefer)
Cutting Out
I used a rotary cutter and a ruler to cut all my pieces as using the board I know everything comes out nice and straight, however if you don’t have these tools just make sure to draw your measurements out accurately before cutting as I have only left a 5mm seam allowance (to reduce the need to trim down after sewing, as bulky seam allowances would make this harder to construct).
If you have a design you want to centralise on the front of your book, I used the boards to help me establish my placement before cutting out to ensure this.
Constructing the Lining
Baste the 4 elastic pieces in place on the smaller lining piece so that they sit at angles across each of the corners (as pictured).
With right sides together, then sew the larger lining piece to the long left edge of the piece you have sewn the elastics too. The narrow outer piece then gets sewn to the long right edge so that the lining piece should now be the same size as the large outer piece.
If you are going to add the optional back strap, place this on the right side of the lining fabric, aligning it so that it sits vertically between the angled elastics and baste this in place.
Creating the Fabric Sleeve
Take your lining piece and place right sides together with the outer (ensuring that if you have a directional design both are the same way up as each other).
Sew around the 2 long sides and 1 short side, leaving open on the edge where the lining has the narrow strip of outer fabric. Make sure to sew as accurately as you can to the 5mm seam allowance to ensure the boards fit in afterwards.
Mitre the corners, and then turn right side out, making sure to push the corners out well and press. If you have attached the optional back strap fold this to the outer fabric side.
If you have opted for an alternate closure method, such as a magnetic closure or popper, you will need to insert one side of this to the end of the fabric sleeve before you begin sewing in the boards. It will need to go on the outer fabric at the bottom end of the fabric sleeve.
Insert the first large piece of board and gently push it all the way to the end so it’s nice and snug, then topstitch next to it to hold it in place (This stitching will show on the outside as well as the inside so consider your thread colour choice). Then insert the narrow piece of board, followed by another line of topstitching (this should sit just next to the seam in the lining).
Complete this process with the final board, the topstitching line should follow down where the narrow outer piece meets the lining, make sure to push the seam allowance here towards the outer fabric.
Finishing Off
For the Button and loop closure, fold the piece of cord elastic in half and place on the right side of the outer fabric and baste in place (only to 1 piece of fabric, you do not want to close the opening yet. If you have opted for an alternate closure you do not need to do this.
Fold in the seam allowance on the opening, press and pin together. Topstitch the opening closed (if you have the elastic loop in place this should now stick out).
Sew the button to the outside so that it lines up with the elastic loop (or for an alternate closure, insert that into the flap so that it lines up with the other half.
All that’s left is to insert the kindle and you’re all done!
I love the idea of making one of these after personalising some outer fabric with embroidery/applique etc, I think there is a world of oportunity with this and I hope you enjoy making one.
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