Cardboard Tablet Case With Handle

This instructable is a simple DIY cardboard tablet case (for my Kindle).  I wanted to make something that would really protect the Kindle - since my son likes to carry it around everywhere... and we've both dropped it too many times! You can use the same concept or ideas here to make a case for your tablet - iPad or device!

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard
• Cutting Tools & Cutting Board
• Wood Glue or Hot Glue Gun
• Duct Tape for decorating the inside
• Sharpies - if you want to decorate your case
• Ribbon, thread, buttons and a needle are optional - there are alternatives I'll mention in that step

First, trace your tablet on the cardboard and then measure and make marks about 1 1/2 inches away from your traced lines. My cardboard pieces measured 10 1/4 inches in height by 7 1/2 inches wide.

I cut 11 total rectangular pieces of cardboard at 10 1/4 by 7 1/2 inches wide. Be sure to cut them all along the same direction - so the corrugation is what you see on the bottom of the cut pieces.

After cutting those pieces, I then took five out of the pile. On the first one, I traced the tablet again and then left about 1/4 of an inch excess space around the traced area - and cut that out. That left me with a 10 1/4 by 7 1/2 piece with a large rectangle cut out of the middle. I used that piece and put it on the next one, traced the cut out area, and then proceeded to cut it out of that one. Repeat with all five.

There will be one additional piece which will act as the binding and will hold everything together - it will be glued on very last. If you want to cut it out now, you can. My piece was about 19 inches wide by 10 1/4 inches.

With one of the smaller cut out rectangles, I drew a picture of the Instructables robot - then used some sharpies to color it in. That is very optional!

Now it's time to glue the pieces together. You can use wood glue (works well even if this is not wood) or a hot glue gun. I started with the right side of the case. I glued two full pieces together (no cut outs on them), then I put some bright blue duct tape on top of that stack. Then, I glued two pieces with the cut out area, on top of those. The total pieces glued together on the right side were four. Then for the left side, I recommend doing the same thing. But, I personally added one more layer by adding one extra cut out piece, because I needed a cool place to put the robot. I then glued the robot down.

Now, make sure your pieces are totally solid and dry. I put a heavy book on mine and let them sit for a few hours. Then, take your largest piece of cardboard for the binding, maneuver it around the big stack of cardboard that you have, and be sure to bend it and crease it at the ends of the case. It should overlap nicely at the end. Be sure to bend and crease it there too. Once you like how it looks, apply the glue and if you need to clamp it down in place, do that or place a book or two on it. Let it dry!

The last thing I did was add a handle and buttons. I had a five foot long thick piece of ribbon - it came with something I purchased a while back. So I felt like putting it to a good use. I found the center of it - then pinned it onto the cardboard flap a few inches away from the sides - to make a handle. I then used some needle and thread and did some hand sewing to attach it on. I thought about using glue or my sewing machine - but just did the hand sewing and it was fine. About an inch down from the flap on the ribbon, I sewed a button onto it. I wrapped the ribbon all the way around until it was back to the button and made a small slice in it for the opening for the button. It didn't fray, but if I wanted to be really professional I could have sewn around the button hole with my sewing machine to prevent fraying or used some spray to do that. It was fine so I left it as it was!

An alternative option would be to use some elastic - make a big elastic circle and sew it together to make a big loop. You can make two of them, just put slide them on and off the cardboard case easily.

That's all - you're done! If you have any questions, please ask!

Millions of Pictures!