Featured Fabric: The Blank Quilting Corp. Love Never Fails by Lucca Sheppard

Pattern design by: Lindsay Conner

Sewn by: Lindsay Conner

Are you interested in adding some fabric flair to your books? Sew up a cute book cover in any size with this beginner-friendly tutorial! Cover your Bible, a journal, or any special book that deserves a place of honor. Not only will this protect your favorite books from dust and the normal wear and tear, but it will make your bookshelf look extra cute!

Skills Learned: Machine sewing

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size: Varies

Fabric Requirements:

1/2 yard (.46m) main fabric. I used:

• 3914-75 Lt. Blue - Birds on Branches
• (Also pictured in final imagery: a second book cover using 3916-79 Dk. Teal - Ditsy Floral)

Materials:

Sewing machine

Zipper foot

Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat

Sewing clips

Mini pompom trim

1/4” double stitch fusible tape, like Steam-A-Seam 2

How to Measure Your Fabric

1. Lay the book open flat on top of your fabric.

• Measure the width from end to end when the book is fully opened (including the spine). Double this number—that’s your fabric length (L).
• Measure the height of the book (top to bottom), and add 2 inches—that’s your fabric height (H).

Use this formula to determine your fabric size:

Fabric size = (2 × Book Length) by (Book Height + 2”)

Fabric size = L × H

For example, my book measures 14.5" in length when opened and it is 10” high. I cut the fabric 29” x 12”.

2. With the right side of the fabric facing down, fold and press the two long raw edges 1/4” toward the center. Cut a piece of fusible tape to the length of one seam and place it on top of the folded edge.

3. Remove the paper backing on the fusible tape.

4. Fold the fabric edge over another 1/4” so the fusible tape is hidden. Press with a hot iron to fuse the seam.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 with the second long seam. This is what your cover should look like. Next, we’ll tackle the two shorter sides!

6. With the right side of the fabric facing down, fold and press the two short raw edges 1/4” toward the center. Cut a piece of fusible tape to the length of one seam and place it on top of the folded edge.

7. Remove the paper backing on the fusible tape. Fold the fabric edge over another 1/4” so the fusible tape is hidden. Press with a hot iron to fuse the seam.

Repeat steps 6-7 with the second short side.

8. (Note: fabric in image above is from a second book cover I made). Take your book sleeve and place it right side down. Center the spine of the hardcover book on top. Fold the two short ends so they come up and over the left and right sides of the book. Pull tight.

9. Use binding clips to hold the fabric sleeve in place on the bottom side only.

10. Slip the book away from the fabric sleeve through the opening in the top. Use binding clips to secure the top of the flaps in the same position as they are clipped on the bottom.

11. Cut 2 strips of mini pompom trim that are the same length as the clipped edge (one for the top, one for the bottom). Take one strip and carefully insert the straight edge into the clipped edge, removing and replacing one binding clip at a time. Look at it from both sides to make sure you have inserted it evenly all the way across.

12. Using your sewing machine’s zipper foot to get extra close to the pompom trim, topstitch 1/8” from the trim, removing the clips as you go. Repeat with the other rows of pompom trim.

13. This is what your finished book sleeve will look like! It’s also possible to sew a version without the pompom trim—just omit step 11 and sew the clipped sides as normal 1/8” from the edge.

We hope you enjoyed this fast and easy tutorial for sewing a fabric book sleeve in any size! We love this idea for making a journal cover, Bible cover, or a special place to slip your favorite book.

Fabric Details:

To view the complete The Blank Quilting Corp. Love Never Fails by Lucca Sheppard collection, click here.

Learn more about Lindsay here.