A method for facilitating the fabrication of a hard cover for an article is provided. The method includes positioning shrinkable material over at least a portion of the article and shrinking the shrinkable material to form a fitted cover for the portion of the article. A layer of molding material is applied overlying the fitted cover to form a hard cover for the portion of the article.A method for facilitating fabrication of a first article from a second article is also provide. The method includes positioning shrinkable material over at least a portion of the second article and shrinking the shrinkable material to form a fitted cover for the portion of the second article. A first layer of molding material is applied overlying the fitted cover to form a mold. The mold has a surface which is a negative impression of at least a portion of the fitted cover. The mold is removed from the fitted cover and a second layer of molding material is applied overlying the surface of the mold to form the first article.