Shelly from Patterns by Figgy’s and our Sew,Mama,Sew! Editorial Board is back! Remember her cute-as-can-be Art Smock tutorial from earlier this month? Today she’s back with an easy, quick tutorial for making your own fabric book covers. Enjoy!
From Shelly: I would say that this is a tutorial all about preserving our books, but to tell you the truth, any time I have the option to jazz up anything with fabric, I’m all about it. This is a great opportunity to let your child be creative with fabric choices and show off their personal style.
Grab some Supplies:
- 1 Yard of Fabric
- Rotary Cutter & Mat or Scissors
- Pins
- Coordinating Thread
- Ruler/Measuring tool
Create your Cover:
- Measure the width of the book, spine included.
- Measure the length of the book.
- Add 2” to both measurements.
- Measure the inner panel of the book and add 1”.
- Cut out your pattern pieces according to the measurements, 2 of the large pieces and 2 of the smaller.
- Place the two large panels RIGHT sides together and pin.
- Sew the entire rectangle pivoting at each corner but leave a 3” opening for turning. Cut the corners on an angle.
- Turn right side out and using a knitting needle or something pointy but dull and push out the corners. Set aside.
- On both the smaller panel pieces turn one side of the long edge ¼” and press. Topstitch.
- Place the smaller panels onto the larger panel RIGHT sides facing with the topstitched edges facing the center and pin.
- Stitch around the entire rectangle.
- Turn the cover so the small panels are WRONG sides facing the RIGHT side.
Happy Sewing!
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» Sewing Tutorials + Patterns » Back to School Fabric Book Covers
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23 Responses to Back to School Fabric Book Covers
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Thanks everyone!!
What a great, quick way to share a love of books. It’s a super idea for a teacher’s gift, too.
Claire
Thanks for the great tutorial – such a great idea! Love it – and that ADORABLE smile in the last photo, OMG!
totally beats those wallpapery plastic ones we used to use!
just cute!
thanks!
so great !! 1 done, 10 to go !!!
Love he idea. It would also make good covers for binders.
Nice, thanks for sharing
I love these– this is what I’m doing when our current ones (which are full of holes that I’ve been fixing) get hole-y beyond even my ability to fix them. 🙂
I love these!
I used to do this in high school – with brown paper grocery bags. This looks so much nicer.
Cute – a great way to cover the texts!
great idea!
What a cutie he is!! Thanks for sharing, I actually have one to make 🙂
This may be self-explanatory but I must ask – what should the seam allowance be?
I love the fabric used for this project! Can you tell me the name of it and if it is available at the Sew Mama Shop?! Thanks!
Great way to use my favorite scraps of fabric. Thanks for the ideas.
Cool! My high schooler is ‘required’ to cover some of his textbooks with those ugly stretchy covers…these are so much better. Will have to have him pick out some fabric and get sewing. Thank you!
Cute, thank you!
These would save so much money and they can obviously be completely personalized.
simple and cute. I love the last photo in the post. The little boy has a great expression. lol
Love these. Wish I had some books that needed covering! 🙂
Thanks for the tutorial. What a great idea when giving a book as a gift too!