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$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
1h00

Make a book cover out of old shirts.
I love it when something such as a shirt placket has an obvious use, as it does here. If it were simply strips of fabric joined together, it wouldn’t have the same finish. This project is dear to my heart as it is simple to do and, depending on colour choices, can look sophisticated, homespun or simply stunning.

Posted by Aurum Press Published See Aurum Press's 78 projects » © 2024 Juliet Bawden / Aurum Press · Reproduced with permission.
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  • How to make a fabric book cover. Wrap Around Book Cover - Step 1
    Step 1

    Open the book you want to cover and lay it flat. Measure the opened up width, plus an extra 10cm (4in) for the wraparound x the height of the book. Cut the piece of fusible webbing to this measurement, and also a piece of shirting for the lining fabric (see pic. 1).

  • How to make a fabric book cover. Wrap Around Book Cover - Step 2
    Step 2

    Place the fusible webbing on the lining and then, using a hot iron, go over the paper side until the glue has melted. You will see this through the paper. Peel off the paper (see pic. 2).

    Tip
    In case you end up with fusible webbing on the bottom of the iron, keep some nail varnish remover and a soft cloth to hand, as this will remove the glue.

  • How to make a fabric book cover. Wrap Around Book Cover - Step 3
    Step 3

    Carefully cut the plackets away from the shirts and then arrange them on top of the glue side of the lining, until you are happy with the composition (see pic. 3). Using a hot iron, press the top of the plackets until they stick. Trim the overhanging edges of the plackets so they align with the edge of the lining. If you wish, you can machine stitch each placket into place.

  • How to make a fabric book cover. Wrap Around Book Cover - Step 4
    Step 4

    To neaten the inside edges of the book cover, turn under by 5mm (1?4in) and machine stitch. Alternatively, you can finish the edge with a strip of binding cut from one of your shirts.

  • Step 5

    Wrap the cover around the book. To make a slip pocket to hold the cover on the book, slip stitch the overlap top and bottom on each side (see pic. 5).

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Comments

Anna H.
Anna H. · Kassel, Hesse, DE · 243 projects
This is awesome, thanks so much! Wow, now I know what to do with that weird shirt.. I disliked the fabric on me, but on a book it would be perfect <3
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mae | business cards m.
mae | business cards m.
Can't believe I can do this book cover using just plain used clothes! I mean the idea is really there, to make creative stuff out of nothing. I'd love to try this!
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