Learn how to sew a book cover

20 April, 2018

We want to celebrate our very first International Book Day with you. And what better way is there than by combining reading and sewing in one. Learn how to sew this easy and attractive fabric book cover with us by following the step by step instructions. You can make it for yourself or as a gift together with that very special book.

How to sew a book cover

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For this tutorial you are going to need the following materials:

Exterior fabric: Poplin: Vintage Swim
Interior fabric: Printed poplin: Savana Mint
Wadding (if you want it to be soft and spongy) or thick interlining (if you want it to be thinner)
Fine sewing interfacing
Sewing thread in the same colour as the fabrics

And the following tools:

Scissors or a rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat
Measuring tape
Pencil & paper
Pins
Thread cutters
Marker

Cut the pieces

The first thing you must do is to measure the height, width and depth of your book and write down the measurements.

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Once you have the measurements, add a 3/8″ (1 cm) seam allowance (if you are using thick wadding or sew-in stabilising foam you can add a 5/8″ (1.5 cm) seam allowance to avoid it ending up too small).

Example: If the book measures 7 1/8″ (18cm) wide, 3/4″ (2cm) deep and 9″ (23cm) high

After adding 3/8”(1cm) to the book contour you will have a piece measuring: 3/8″+ 7 1/8″+ 3/4″+7 1/8″ + 3/8″ = 15 3/4″ X 3/8”+ 9″+ 3/8″= 9 3/4″ (1+ 18+2+18+1 =40cm X 1+23+1=25cm)

You need to cut the following pieces:

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Main pattern:

Exterior fabric 1 piece
Interior fabric 1 piece
1 piece in wadding or interlining

Flap pattern:

You must measure the height so it is the same as the main piece and make it twice the width you want it to be.

2 pieces in the exterior fabric
2 pieces of half of the pattern in the fine interlining

For the handles you will need:

2 rectangles which are twice the width of the size you want, plus seam allowances
2 rectangles of half of the pattern width in wadding or the thick interfacing

Making the book cover

First sew the handles. Fold and iron the 3/8″ (1 cm) seam allowances on the long sides inwards.

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Place the wadding or thick interfacing on one of the handle pieces and close with pins as shown in the photo. Work a row of machine stitching close to the open edge. Iron and put to one side.

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Attach the interlining with the heat of the iron on one half of the wrong sides of each flap. Fold in half, with wrong sides together, and leave ironed.

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Now make the main piece. Place the wadding on top of the wrong side of the exterior fabric and place with the right side facing upwards. Then position the handles centrally, as shown in the following photo using pins. Leave a distance of around 3 7/8″ (10 cm) between them.

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Now attach the flaps and secure firmly with pins. Work a row of stitching at each side to hold down the handles and the flaps.

Finally, place the interior and exterior fabrics together, with right sides facing. Pin all around the outer edges to hold in place. Sew all around the edges, except for an opening of approximately 2 3/4″-3 7/8″ / (7-10 cm) which will be used to turn the book cover through to the right side.

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Trim the corners with scissors and turn the work to the right side through the opening. Iron and close the opening with a row of machine stitching close to the edge or hand sew using an invisible stitch.

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Tip:

You can work a row of stitching around the whole contour of the cover so it is more stable. If you do this, bear in mind when taking the book measurements that the seam allowances must be slightly bigger to allow for the top stitch edge, if you do not allow extra the book may not fit in the cover.

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Do you have the book cover done already! On this occasion we have opted to show you how to attach handles but you could also use tapes or ribbons, a button, elastic, etc.

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