DIY Chain Trimmed iPad Sleeve

Given that my iPad is one of few things I can’t function without, it was about time I gave it the royal treatment. Inspired by Stella McCartney‘s iconic Falabella bag, I whipped up a chain trimmed leather sleeve perfect for my favorite gadget! This tutorial is a great way to  learn a super simple hand stitching technique which can also then be applied to other leather wares. Have I piqued your interest yet?

You’ll need:

Start by setting the rotary punch to the smallest hole setting. Create a hole in the upper right corner, making sure to punch just outside the seam but without cutting into the outer edge of the leather sleeve. (Click images to enlarge)

Each chain link is approximately 5 millimeters apart, therefore the holes should be spread apart with the same distance. Continue punching holes around the perimeter of the sleeve.

Thread the needle with the waxed linen cord and tie a double knot at the end. Pull the thread through the first hole and pass the needle through the same hole again, making the first stitch.

Pull the needle through the bottom of the first chain link and push it through the top of the second hole. Pull tightly.

Continue pulling the thread through bottom of the next chain link and pushing through the top of the subsequent hole.

Stitch the corner link through the same bottom hole twice.

Tie a double knot to finish the entire stitch. Trim the ends of the knots with scissors and cut away any excess chain with a wire or bolt cutter.

Now go back with fingers or a pair of tweezers to pull out any original broken stitches.

Your Stella McCartney inspired iPad sleeve is finished!

(Stella McCartney Falabella iPad Sleeve $415; all images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

126 Comments

  1. This. Is. Awe. Some.!
    What a great idea! So rock and roll! 🙂

    xoxo
    http://www.natashafatah.blogspot.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  2. Mardi wrote:

    This is so simple but so effective! Now just to get an iPad…

    4.10.12
    Reply
  3. Hanna wrote:

    so cool! 🙂

    4.10.12
    Reply
  4. Cheyvonne wrote:

    I love this. Trying this out A.S.A.P.

    http://www.stylishabits.blogspot.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  5. Amazing work, very neat! Love this DIY!

    xoxo
    http://fashionagony.blogspot.com/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  6. Cheyvonne wrote:

    I love this! Just what I needed.

    4.10.12
    Reply
  7. Natalie wrote:

    LOVE this!! such a good idea! http://www.fashionifancy.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  8. Amazing!!!
    great idea!!!

    xoxo

    http://touchkajal.blogspot.com/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  9. Blogger wrote:

    Oh That’s great .. Gonna do it definately…

    4.10.12
    Reply
  10. Hannah wrote:

    I don’t think Stella’d be too rapt that you’ve used a leather case…

    4.10.12
    Reply
  11. Oh God, how freaking amazing is that? I need to get a rotary punch so I can start doing these things (even though I don’t have an ipad). Such a cool tutorial!

    xo Joana

    4.10.12
    Reply
  12. Flami wrote:

    I like this post!!..it’s amazing!!!!!!!!!
    I talk about your DIY in my blog, have a look:
    http://monmannequin-flami.blogspot.it/2012/04/new-diy.html

    4.10.12
    Reply
  13. Maria wrote:

    Wow, this makes me wish I had an iPad!
    http://peppermintsandpixiedust.blogspot.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  14. Laure wrote:

    Love it!!!! And the purple color is just lovely
    http://ilovedoityourself.blogspot.fr/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  15. style-xyz wrote:

    wow, great post! I really like the effect!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  16. Naomi wrote:

    I love DIYs where you make something pretty even prettier! I guess this could be adapted for other things – like wallets or make-up bags.

    The J’adore Blog

    4.10.12
    Reply
  17. Xenia FaSHionRoLLa Kuhn wrote:

    Wow, So great! Love it!

    Do you like studs?

    4.10.12
    Reply
  18. Armu wrote:

    YAAAY a DIY and it is so flipin awesome.. im super excited to do this.. i love the Stella bags.. can never afford them.. but this is just sooo awesome.. lol im so excited hehe

    4.10.12
    Reply
  19. Kara wrote:

    Piqued not peaked.

    4.10.12
    Reply
  20. Ambyr wrote:

    Love it. It seconds as a cool clutch!

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  21. This is great! LOVE!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  22. Dang it girl! You are da bomb! Love it!!!!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  23. Vanessa wrote:

    This is amazing!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  24. Jessica wrote:

    beyond amazing! i might have to get an iPad just to make this fab clutch for it! ha
    xx

    4.10.12
    Reply
  25. LOVE IT!!!! I was eying on Stella McCartney’s iPad sleeves and now I’m more than inspired to make my own!! hurrah!! Thanks for the awesome DIY tips! xoxo
    http://www.hellohellofriday.com/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  26. Jen CK wrote:

    Looks great! Now if only someone would get me an iPad… 😉

    4.10.12
    Reply
  27. Hannah wrote:

    this. is. genius.

    wtfwhatthefashion.blogspot.com/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  28. katie wrote:

    one of your best!!! I absolutely love this!

    katie
    http://kfitzdesign.blogspot.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  29. Lisa wrote:

    wow that’s amazingly simple and gorgeous, just like the stella bag!
    in dramatic fashion

    4.10.12
    Reply
  30. very nice!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  31. Liselotte wrote:

    Looks awesome! But since I do not own an iPad, I might try this on my phone 🙂

    4.10.12
    Reply
  32. Lynn wrote:

    wow… i wish i had an ipad now!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  33. Kristina wrote:

    I love love love this DIY. It’s amazing!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  34. soo wrote:

    ok. you need to sell this…to me.

    http://mybabykins.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  35. Zahra wrote:

    Love it! I actually like yours better than the Stella McCartney sleeve. 🙂

    4.10.12
    Reply
  36. Virginie wrote:

    Really great, wow!

    Virginie/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  37. littlelulu wrote:

    Fantastic idea!!!!!!Love this DIY!!!

    http://lovelittlelulu.blogspot.com/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  38. Sarah wrote:

    Ridiculously good. I can’t WAIT to finish my exams: I’ll go through all your tutorials, make a shopping list (when is that not fun?) of all the things I need to make the ones I want, and just try them all out. Must find my creative flair in this time also. I hope it comes as naturally.
    LoOOooOvvvvvvVe the blog. It really does make my day.

    Sarah @ Acid Wallpaper
    X

    4.10.12
    Reply
  39. Anastasios wrote:

    Wow, skillful and perfectly executed! Nice and pretty result above all!
    xoxoxo

    4.10.12
    Reply
  40. AMAZING DIY…super CUTE combo of colours metal silver witj Violet

    YOu can check me in NEON 2 CAPES:

    http://www.laviequo.com

    XOXO from MUNICH

    La Vie Quotidienne

    4.10.12
    Reply
  41. 4.10.12
    Reply
  42. Alison wrote:

    That doesn’t look too hard! I just need to get my hands on one of those punchy things…

    http://www.stylingmylife.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  43. Adrienne wrote:

    Very cool! My family actually just gave my mom an iPad for her birthday present! This is perfect!

    http://theaverageasiangirl.blogspot.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  44. Silje T. wrote:

    This is SO fantastic! I actually like yours much better than the Stella McCartney. And purple is sooooo beautiful <3

    4.10.12
    Reply
  45. Tiffany wrote:

    Super cute + super easy = love

    4.10.12
    Reply
  46. Brooke wrote:

    Love this, if I actually had an iPad I’d be making this.

    4.10.12
    Reply
  47. Billi wrote:

    Love this! I reposted on my blog~ you guys always have the best post!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  48. Sarabelle wrote:

    that is genius!
    xx
    sarabelleblog.blogspot.com/

    4.10.12
    Reply
  49. these are SO awesome! now I just need an iPad… : )

    http://www.dragonnfruit.com

    4.10.12
    Reply
  50. Alexandra wrote:

    Great DIY .. Very chic and stylish. Will def be trying this out adding a bit of my own flare to it!!

    4.10.12
    Reply
  51. Kristie wrote:

    Might just have to try this one! You always nice DIYs

    4.11.12
    Reply
  52. Noel wrote:

    Fabulous!! I want to paint/spray paint the curb chain a different color. What should I use? Would it be durable to wear the painted chain as jewelry too? Thank you!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  53. Joyce wrote:

    Ohmygoodness, this is brilliant and beautiful! It looks so amazing! I’d love try this out for my Galaxy! Another brilliant DIY from you girls! Thank you!! 🙂

    4.11.12
    Reply
  54. sissi wrote:

    this is just awesome, i have to share this! just so sorry to dont have an ipad!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  55. Nicole wrote:

    Amazing <3

    4.11.12
    Reply
  56. Holly you guys!! all time fav!! love this diy!!!!!

    love K

    4.11.12
    Reply
  57. MU wrote:

    Wowzers! This looks so amazing! Rock chic style!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  58. Sam wrote:

    Looks good!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  59. Super cute, but it looks very time consuming!

    Awesome DIY tutorial though.

    -Tara of Mad Max
    http://madmaxandfamily.blogspot.com
    http://blog.chron.com/madabouttown/

    4.11.12
    Reply
  60. Daniela wrote:

    I love love this!! I want to do this for my IPad! Thanks for sharing!!!

    http://eyesofacouturier.wordpress.com/

    4.11.12
    Reply
  61. Aweesssooommmeee!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  62. Absolutely love this idea! Thanks for sharing!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  63. Patricia wrote:

    Nice, except she might never go for leather!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  64. L.Camille wrote:
    4.11.12
    Reply
  65. Evani wrote:

    This is AMAZING!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  66. abby wrote:

    that is AMAZING, your blog is AMAZING! thank you so much for sharing and i’m so glad to have stumbled on your blog and your outrageously AMAZING diy section.

    abby
    http://www.farandwildjewelry.blogspot.com

    4.11.12
    Reply
  67. Andrea wrote:

    How cool is that!
    -Art a la Rue xx

    4.11.12
    Reply
  68. that’s pretty cool!

    4.11.12
    Reply
  69. Sin12012 wrote:

    Amazing !

    xo ,
    Ana Catalarrana

    4.11.12
    Reply
  70. Carly wrote:

    This is soooo coool!!! I wish i had an Ipad…

    4.12.12
    Reply
  71. Janet wrote:

    You’re DYI posts are honestly the best!

    4.12.12
    Reply
  72. january wrote:

    one of your best DIYs yet!
    january, x
    jessicajanuary.com

    4.12.12
    Reply
  73. Jaclyne wrote:

    This is such a fantastic idea. And super simple!

    xo,
    Jaclyne
    http://www.sadeesays.com

    4.12.12
    Reply
  74. Rachel wrote:

    How fun is that? I’m going to try this with pearls.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

    4.12.12
    Reply
  75. Ashleigh wrote:

    Genius! I’m going to make this for my friend for her B-Day.

    4.14.12
    Reply
  76. sam wrote:

    what happens to the knot in the 3rd and fourth picture :s does it stay there

    4.16.12
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Sam, the knot stays there. you’ll trim it at the very end but the double knots prevent the cord from unraveling.

      4.16.12
  77. I love this! Been looking for a great idea to make a great looking ipad2 case and this rocks! Love it! Thanks a lot!

    Annabella Merlin
    Creative Photo Albums

    4.18.12
    Reply
  78. Kelly wrote:

    So simple but so effective! 🙂

    http://mustbebeautiful.blog.com

    5.2.12
    Reply
  79. maria wrote:

    love leather and steel! looks cool!

    5.3.12
    Reply
  80. Alame wrote:

    OMG, im in love with this diy

    5.8.12
    Reply
  81. vanessa wrote:

    this is totally awesome!

    vanessa

    http://thepinkmateproject.blogspot.com/

    5.15.12
    Reply
  82. Malorie wrote:

    Where did you get the plain purple case that you started with? I’ve tried finding one on ebay but I haven’t had much luck.

    I love this D.I.Y. and I’m dying to try it out!!

    6.7.12
    Reply
  83. amber wrote:

    Hi, I’m the Merchandising Manager for Leatherology.com & love what you’ve done with our Purple Italian Leather iPad Sleeve!!

    6.13.12
    Reply
  84. Alicia wrote:

    AMAZING! I think i’m now called to leather work lol!

    11.1.12
    Reply
  85. Olga wrote:

    Wonderfull! I made a Stella McCartney’s embroidery inspired DIY sweater. You can get it ay http://www.thediysigner.blogspot.com

    12.2.12
    Reply
  86. zen wrote:

    Nice! And it s great that you have other tutorials involving rotary punches so that we can get more than 1 use from it 🙂

    8.24.14
    Reply
  87. The Cuir Elixir iPad/MacBook Air sleeve fits perfectly, and its curved design honours the brand’s minimalist aesthetic. ensures your professional and social

    12.5.22
    Reply
  88. Michaele wrote:

    The holes Each chain link is approximately 5 millimeters apart, therefore the holes should be spread apart with the same distance. Continue punching holes around the perimeter of the sleeve.

    12.8.22
    Reply
  89. wwqecx wrote:

    You can get it any https://honestlywtf.com/

    12.8.22
    Reply
  90. The Cuir Elixir iPad/MacBook Air sleeve totally fits, and its curved design honor’s the brand’s minimalist look. Supports your professional and social interests. You can get it any query https://cuirelixir.com/product/lustrochetta-ipad-sleeve/

    12.8.22
    Reply