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Check out my other blog http://teacupmilliner.blogspot.com/
Although my basic book cover tutorial will be on a school composition book, I want you to understand that this method can be used on any book or photo album of any size. There will be photos and notes on other book covers at the bottom of this blog.
After you have made the first one, you can get creative. See how to make these fashion templates on this link. http://linda-allfreepatterns.blogspot.com/2010/07/fashion-plates-no-sew-project-runway.html
Things you will need. To make your patterns you will need some paper and because most books take larger size paper, you can buy newsprint on rolls or banner paper on a roll. You can see mine in the photo background which is 3' wide and 100' long and cost $9.99 a roll. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby at the end of summer one year 90% off so paid one dollar. It pays to watch out for clearance deals even if you don't use them right away.
You will also need some thin quilt batting and several types are available. I am using a soft natural batting sold by the yard for quilts. Plus you will need some heavy duty fusible interfacing such as craft bond by Pellon and the fabric of your choice.
Sewing machine. Usually I use a serger (over locker) to sew my raw edges, but for the benefit of those who don't have one, this composition book tutorial will be done with a sewing machine with Zigzag stitch capabilities.
Now to make your pattern.
Leave enough space on the left hand side to draw the other side of the book, spine and ease. You will understand once you read through these instructions first.
Draw around the book first and then measure the spine. This book isn't very thick and is only 3/8" so I need to leave a space 3/8" plus add 1/4" for give. I will explain the give later. So now I am leaving 5/8" in the center.
Flip the book over, leaving the spine area empty and draw around the book again.
Draw 1/2" around the entire outside lines.
Now the inside pouch pocket. This book is 7 1/2" wide when closed so make the pattern around 1/2 of that size. I decided to make it 4 1/2" because I need 1/2" on the outside and 1/2" on the inside to turn under the raw edge. Keep reading you will understand.
Now you have your book cover pattern. It's as simple as that!
Now to make a cover.
A special note. I tested this theory and found that out of a fat quarter, you can cover a book this size and make the pocket inside. Fat Quarters sell at many places for $1.
I am going to use a nice quality 100% cotton fabric for this tutorial but you can use any fabric from satin to denim. Style is all about what you like.
Pin the patterns pieces onto the fabric.
Cut out the 3 pieces you need, 1 main piece and 2 inside pouch pockets.
Cut out the main piece ONLY in batting fabric.
Cut two pieces in craft bond from your inside pouch pattern and fuse them onto the back side of the fabric pouch pieces. You don't need craft bond on the main piece because you are lining it with batting fabric.
Sewing machine users only. Set your sewing machine with a longer stitch as if you are going to draw up gathers. Pin and sew all around the batting and fabric together. This will stop movement. If you own an overlocker, this is unnecessary.
Turn under 1/2" on one side only of each pouch pocket piece.
Pin main and pocket pieces as shown above, right sides together and turned under pocket edges on the inside.
Overlocker users. Sew 1/4" in all around the edges and ignore the next set of instructions.
For sewing machines only. Set your machine for a long gather stitch and sew 1/4" in, all around the edges. Then set your machine for Zigzag and sew around edges again.
Turn right sides out and pin 1/4" under the area between the pockets, both top and bottom and sew this area only to finish.
Slip both front and back covers of your book into the pockets. It should fit with ease if you followed these directions carefully.
You can also add a pocket to put a special note inside when you give a covered book as a gift. Follow the instructions below.
You can make a paper pattern if you wish. Cut two pieces of fabric 4" wide by 5" tall.
Sew around 1/4" in, leaving an opening . I placed two pins to show you how much of an opening I left. Trim off corners. Turn right side out and top stitch all around including over opening.
Pin pocket on the right side of one of the pouch pocket sides, staying closer to the turned down edge rather than the raw edge.
Now pin the pouch pockets on the main piece with the pocket side on the left as shown. I darkened the stitch outline to show you what I mean. Now finish as before.
Now cover any book and express yourself. Here are a few more notes.
This is a small journal with a thicker spine. I laid the book on the paper the same way as before but the spine was 1 1/4" thick, so I added 1/4" and left 1 1/2" in the center. Everything else is the same as the composition book. It's very simple.
I covered the small journal in a plain purple fabric and then dies cut a butterfly, flowers and leaves in pink and lavender satin. Then I added glitter for a more 3D effect.
I bought a garden journal which would have made a nice gift. Making a special cover for it made it a special gift. I had bought a small remnant of cotton fabric with lady bugs and thought it was perfect for a garden theme. I heat set a strip of wide black ribbon first, then added the words seeds in red that I die cut out in fabric. I thought the word seeds was perfect as this would be a great journal to glue a seed packet on a page and write how well they grew and add a photo of them growing in the person's garden.
I added a pocket in red inside and used a heat set paper and cut out one of the ladybugs. I penciled in the antennae.
For graphs, glues and stuff I use, check out this blog.
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