Book Cover Tutorial
Three different cover sizes for all your favorite reads!
Scroll to the bottom of the page to find and use the downloadable PDF pattern.
Video Tutorial:
Written Directions:
NOTE: Seam allowances are 1/2 inch unless otherwise stated.
1. If one of the pieces A has a directional print (fabric design with a top and bottom), work with that fabric piece first. If neither piece has a directional print, work with either one first.
2. Working with the piece A selected in step 1, place handmade tag/charm, centered, on the bottom right corner of the piece A, 3 inches up from the bottom edge and 5 inches away from the right short edge. Back of tag should be facing right side of fabric. Sew or hand-stitch in place through the holes on each end of the tag.
3. Working with the same piece A, pin elastic piece across the right side of the fabric, from top to bottom, 1 inch from the left short edge of piece A. Elastic should be perpendicular to short edge, with raw ends matching top and bottom raw edges of piece A.
4. Pin one raw end of ribbon along top raw edge of same piece A, 8 1/2 inches from top right corner of piece A with raw edge aligned to raw edge of fabric and length of ribbon lying across fabric piece.
5. Match second piece A to first piece A along the short edge closest to the pinned ribbon. With right sides of fabric facing, pin and sew in place.
6. Press seamline flat, then fold along seamline with wrong sides of fabric facing. Press seamline flat, closed, with stitching on the edge of the pressed fold. Do not apply iron heat to ribbon or elastic.
7. Fold one piece A back across itself so new fold line is 2 inches away from seamline, with right sides of fabric facing each other and fold parallel to stitchline. Pin at top and bottom edges.
8. Turn project over to repeat step 8 with the other piece A.
9. Smooth all fabrics flat so the folds and raw edges of both pieces A align, right sides of fabric are facing each other, and sewn seam is sandwiched between the fabrics. Pin together, through all layers, around 3 unsewn edges.
10. Sew around 3 pinned edges, leaving a 4 inch hole unsewn in the center of the short edge. Reverse stitch at beginning and end.
11. Cut excess fabric from outside the seam on all corners and turn right side out through the hole left in step 11.
12. Poke all corners out square, then press entire project flat with seamlines pulled out to the edge. Turn raw edges inside hole about 1/2 inch and press flat.
13. Topstitch along short end to close hole, reverse stitching at beginning and end (close by hand if preferred).
14. Trim unsewn ribbon end with a diagonal cut to avoid unraveling.
15. To use: Insert front cover of book into sewn flap and wrap length of project around book snuggly. Fold remaining end of cover into the back flap of the book and use elastic to wrap around back cover to hold back flap in place. Use ribbon as handy bookmark.
Project PDF Pattern
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