Get under the covers
Sure, plastic and rubber tablet cases are reliable, flexible, tech friendly and occasionally even colorful.
But are they also adorable? Likely not. These days, people are making tablet covers in every imaginable material, and they're worth a look.
Take the Bravest Warriors Catbug iPad case, made from two layers of machine-sewn felt.
Paper sleeve with bike print
Oh, the irony: a paper cover for those who have gone paperless.
Dutch maker Townshipsmile collects recycled brown paper from a local packaging factory, prints on the paper, and fuses it to a cotton strong enough to stitch. The cover is then treated with a water-resistant spray.
Cement-sack case
It turns out cement sacks are made of pretty hardy stuff. This sleeve is made of such bags, from Bangladesh. The extra long zipper runs around two sides of the sleeve, allowing for easy tablet removal.
Sherlock Holmes tablet cover
This handmade cover has Victorian-style plaid detailing, a printed cotton pocket and a vintage illustration of the great detective.
'Dreamer' Kindle cover
This paperback-inspired option is made of cardboard and is inspired by sci-fi tales and the optimistic futurism of the 1940s and 50s.
Vegan cork sleeve
Because each of these Corkor covers is made from cork, a natural material, each one is unique.
Cardboard 'Apple' creation
Remember those textbook covers you'd make in high school – the ones made out of brown paper grocery bags? A YouTube DIY video takes that into the 21st century with a method for turning a cardboard box into a tablet case. What it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in affordability.
Necronomicon H.P. Lovecraft tablet cover
OK, so this is faux leather, which comes close to the whole poly/rubber nexus we're trying to avoid. But these are Lovecraftian Old Ones we're talking about; they get to make their own rules.
Upcycled fleece cover
On the outside of this Refleece cover: cloth upcycled from an old garment or scrap. Inside: charcoal gray felt made from recycled plastic bottles. Even the snap closure is made from recycled plastic.
Avengers-inspired cover
This cover, made from officially licensed Marvel Avengers fabric, also protects with a shock-absorbing layer of foam.
Penguin 'book' cover
This iPad case not only features the iconic Penguin Classics black-spine design, but also benefits from dependable, bookbinder-style construction.
Handmade squid illustration cover
Made from cotton and linen, this cover looks more like an accent pillow in a beach house than a tech accessory.
Merino wool felt sleeve
A minimalist design pairs with a soft feel for this sleeve from Cocones.
Geometric-contoured walnut veneer cover
This handcrafted walnut veneer sleeve from Grovemade includes a German wool lining, and a leather and brass pull strap to help remove your tablet without grabbing or tugging.
Silk iPad cover
Dutch designer Annyta Lolyta layered pieces of plain and hand-painted silk to create this unique tablet cover.