Day Dreams Sewing 2016

Book Covers

There are always books that need a

cover, mostly for school. Here’s a few

reasons to make stretch book covers:

Use fun printed t-shirts;

Scraps of Knit—Stash buster!

Decorate as you like;

Washable—Reusable;

Make a family “green” project!

No-Sew or Sewn Methods

What You’ll Need:

Scraps of medium to heavy

weight knit fabric

Scissors

Tape measure or ruler

Bonding tape (fusible) or—

Sewing machine & thread

Idea:

Use old printed, favorite t-

shirts and place the image

on the front of the cover.

Use permanent markers to style

and personalize your covers.

Start by measuring your book the

width “around” - both front and

back. Add 8” to this and write it

down.

Measure the length of the book, add-

ing 2” and write this number down.

Now, cut the neck band and sleeves off the shirt.

Cut the sides and shoulders open.

You will have 2 pieces, one for each book.

Kind of cool that you’ll get 2 covers for the

price of one :)

At this point, use the measurements you

took and centering the t-shirt image mark

with a pen and ruler your rectangle. Do this

for the second piece as well.

Make sure there are 4” each side, and 1” each

end of length.

Example:

Book above is 15” around, Add 8” = 23”

11” long , Add 2” = 13”

I cut the rectangle at 23” x 13”

13”

23”

With piece laying flat and right side up,

measure and fold over each side 4”. Pin in

place—stitch a 5/8” seam on each of the 4

sides. This forms a pocket.

Note—you can finish the raw edges of

the pockets; however, knit won’t fray

so there’s really not much need.

Fold up the sides, toward the inside of the

cover. Stitch a seam close to the raw edge

from one top of pocket, to the other.

Fold over 4”

Stitch ends

At this point, you should have two pockets, with

finished top and bottom.

Turn right side out, pushing corners out, smooth

seams.

No-Sew Method: Prepare the shirt the same as for sewing.

With right side out, turn under top and bottom edges 1”. Press.

Place fusible strips under the 1” fold and steam press down.

* This method works fast and will hold ; however, it does not wash well.

Now you have a couple of awesome book covers, with a

personal touch.

If the knit used is plain, maybe add a pocket for notes on the

front.

Which ever method you choose, I wish you success & inspiration,

today and always!