How to Make an E-Reader Cover

Yes, I have made the transition from being an old-fashioned paper book reader to an e-reader and I love it. I have to admit my old eyes were struggling with reading paper books. I was attracted to the e-reader simply because I can adjust the font size. Now as enjoy reading again, all the other conveniences are just perks for me.

I bought my Kindle with birthday money and didn’t have enough to buy a cover as well. I am kind of crafty so I started to look on the Internet for ideas. The one I settled on was easy and required few materials and time. I really liked the idea of turning a book into an e-book cover by cutting out a hole inside to hold my Kindle. It took me back to my childhood when I cut an opening inside a book to hide my secret treasures.

I had a pretty journal someone had given me for a gift. It is leather bound and a handy size, just right for hiding my Kindle, and more importantly protect it if I happen to drop it.

First, I assembled my materials: the journal, a mat knife, ruler, a pen and some glue. If you don’t have a journal an old book with do, or you can buy a inexpensive writing journal.

Step one: Place the Kindle on the first page of the journal and trace around it with the pen to make a cutting guide. Be sure to leave a nice margin all the way around, I’d say at least half an inch. Have that in mind when you choose the journal or book for the project.

Step two: With a ruler placed on the lines I began to cut out the opening with a mat knife. A box cutter will also work. Remove the cutout. I had to repeat this a few pages at a time, but once you have your first cut there is no need for the ruler. I checked a few times with the Kindle for fit until I’d cut a deep enough hole for it to rest level with the first page of the journal. I also cut a notch at the bottom to make it easier to turn the e-reader on while it is still in the cover.

Step three: glue the frame of pages together one at a time so it is stable. Wait until glue dries to go to the fourth step.

Step four: To secure the e-reader use sticky-back Velcro. Cut for small pieces for each corner. Another more temporary way to keep the e-reader in place is slide two heavy rubber bands over the journal and the e-reader, one on each side of it. Leave the front cover free. You can also use the rubber bands to keep the journal closed around the reader when it is not being used.

I leave the reader in the cover while I am reading. It looks and feels just like I am reading a book. The way my Kindle is designed I can turn the pages easily without removing it from the cover.