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DIY iPad Case Made for a Dollar

This DIY iPad case started as a $1 find from the dollar store! I then decoupaged a leftover fabric scrap to the outside, turning it into a custom case.

Skills Required: Beginner. The only part that is a little tricky is cutting the holes and areas around the ports. Just work slowly and follow my instructions and you should be fine.

DIY iPad Case Made for a Dollar

A recent trip to the dollar store revealed all sorts of new surfaces that I could decoupage. There is a new Dollar Tree in the area and they have some pretty good stuff! One of the goodies that caught my eye was a plastic iPad case for $1 (of course).

I wanted an iPad case and I have fabric stash, so the two came together to make this DIY iPad case. It’s so easy and would make a great gift. See how I made this lovely dollar store craft!

DIY iPad Case

Gather These Supplies

  • iPad case from Dollar Tree – they have a variety of sizes for whatever iPad you currently have!
  • Fabric Mod Podge
  • Satin Mod Podge
  • Fabric of your choice
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • Detail scissors (like the ones in the Mod Podge tool kit)
  • Waxed paper
  • Sandpaper
Hard case for an iPad from Dollar Tree

I was shocked that this iPad case was only a dollar at Dollar Tree! It’s a plastic hard case, and I couldn’t have it be white.

Piece of fabric on wax paper with Mod Podge on top

I prepared my fabric using Fabric Mod Podge. I did this because I wanted a relatively durable and highly water resistant finish on the case, and Fabric Mod Podge does just that.

To prepare your fabric, just paint a medium layer of Mod Podge on the fabric and let dry. Cover an area big enough to cover the iPad case.

Hard case facing up on a work surface

I placed the iPad case on a wood frame for support and then lightly sanded it so that the Mod Podge would adhere more easily. You just need to rough up the surface.

Adding Mod Podge to the back of n iPad hard case

I wanted a Satin finish on the final project, so that is where Satin Mod Podge comes in. I painted a layer of Mod Podge onto the iPad case and then smoothed the fabric down on top and let dry.

Adding Mod Podge to the edge of the fabric on the case

Tackling the edges takes some time. I made sure that folding over the fabric wouldn’t affect the fit of the case on my iPad, then I painted the sides down.

You might have to hold some areas for a minute or so until they attach, and you are probably going to have to cut the corners and fold them like a present to make them work. It’s not hard.

Cutting ports out of the fabric with detail scissors

I used the detail scissors to trim around the ports and areas where parts of the iPad need to come through.

The detail scissors are quite sharp so I also used them to poke the camera hole (then I folded the fabric back there too). Let everything dry and then give it a few topcoats.

DIY iPad cover with fabric

All done, my friends. You now have a beautiful DIY iPad case for yourself or for a gift. Honestly I think this would make a great craft for kids OR adults!

Keep in mind that Mod Podge makes fabric slightly transparent, so if the fabric isn’t very thick you’ll need to make sure that the iPad case is white (or matches the fabric) so that it doesn’t look crazy.

Yield: 1 case

DIY iPad Case

DIY iPad cover with fabric

Learn how to make this DIY tablet case using a dollar store find! It's easy to do with Mod Podge.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • iPad case from Dollar Tree
  • Fabric Mod Podge
  • Satin Mod Podge
  • Fabric of your choice
  • Waxed paper
  • Sandpaper

Tools

  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • Detail scissors

Instructions

  1. To prepare the fabric, paint a medium layer of Mod Podge on the fabric and let dry. Cover an area big enough to cover the iPad case.
  2. Place the iPad case on a support and lightly sand it so that the Mod Podge will adhere more easily. You just need to rough up the surface.
  3. Paint a layer of Mod Podge onto the case and smooth the fabric down on the top. Let dry.
  4. Use a smaller paintbrush to detail the edges. Trim, add Mod Podge, and fold over. Let dry.
  5. Use detail scissors to trim the camera hole.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


Would you ever try a DIY iPad case of your own? I’d love to hear in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out the following projects:

bunmi

Tuesday 25th of June 2013

COOL! I HAVE BEEN TRYIN TO FIND WHR I CAN BUY THE MOD PODGE HERE IN NIGERIA AND I STILL CAN FIND CANT WAIT TO LAY MY HAND ON IT THO!

CheRalee

Monday 20th of May 2013

That is so cute! I was wondering, do y think oilcloth would be too thick? I was just wondering, because then it would be waterproof. I will have to go look for mine tomorrow!

Amy

Monday 20th of May 2013

Hi CheRalee! You could try it with oilcloth, but you might have issues folding it over the edges because it's too thick. So you would have to cut it a little differently. You also couldn't seal it on the outside because it's already got a coating (but I'm guessing you can glue it down with Mod Podge just fine).

katie

Friday 5th of April 2013

This is so cool! I need to run out and buy a case now so I can transform it!

Naomi

Tuesday 19th of March 2013

I love your I pad guide :D, I wonder if that OK by you I will share this tutorial in my blog ? with credit and link to your blog :)

http://toelahandmade.blogspot.com/

Amy

Tuesday 19th of March 2013

Hi Naomi! I allow one picture and a link - I do not allow republishing of full tutorials. Thank you!!

Niki

Monday 4th of March 2013

Amy, I love this!! I am going to be looking for an ipad case that I can give a little makeover on my next trip...too bad I've already been for the day. I guess it will have to wait a day or too. Anyhoo...looks adorable!!!

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