How to sew a book sleeve 📚🧵 Step-by-step video tutorial
If you enjoy sewing quick and useful projects, this fabric book cover is perfect for you. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a book cover step by step by following a full video tutorial, ideal for beginners and to use up fabric scraps you have at home.
Book sleeves or covers are practical accessories to keep your books safe inside your bag or backpack, protecting them from being folded or ruined. You can also easily customize them by combining fabrics, colors and prints to create a unique piece handmade by you.
🎥 Video tutorial: sew your own book sleeve
Follow the step-by-step instructions and learn how to create the perfect cover to customize your reading and keep your books in good shape. Easily make a practical accessory you can repeat in different sizes and prints.
✂️ Materials you need
For this tutorial, you need the following materials:
- Outer fabric: Seaside print cotton poplin fabric ⬇️
- Lining fabric: Plain cotton poplin fabric ⬇️
- Padding (if you want it to be padded) or interfacing (if you want it to be thinner)
- Threads that match the fabrics
- Your usual sewing notions: scissors, tape measure, pins, marker, thread trimer ⬇️
Cut the pieces
- Measure your book (height, width, spine) and write them down. Add 2 cm on each side.
- Main piece: for example, if the book measures 14 cm wide, 2.75 cm deep and 21 cm tall:
- Total width: 2 + 14 + 2.75 + 14 + 2 = 34.75 cm
- Total height: 2+ 21+ 2= 25 cm
- The main piece will measure 34.75 cm (wide) x 25 cm (tall)
- 1 piece in the outer fabric
- 1 piece in the lining fabric
- 1 piece in the padding or interfacing
- Flap pattern: it should measure the same as the main piece (25 cm) and double the width you want it to be
- 2 pieces in the outer fabric
- 2 pieces in the interfacing for half the pattern
- Handles (optional):
- 2 rectangles of the outer fabric double the width you want plus seam allowance
- 2 rectangles half the size in padding or thick interfacing
✨ A practical and completely customizable book sleeve
The result is a light and functional cover that is perfect for daily use. It protects your favorite books, adapts to different sizes and you can make it by combining fabrics and colors to create a unique design that suits you perfectly.
Do you dare to sew your own book sleeve? If you do, share your version on social media and tag @KatiaFabrics so that we can see it 💛
Do you fancy more simple and practical DIY projects?
📌 We suggest the following ideas:
