These book covers are so quick and easy to make... they're also great gifts! Plus, this project is an excellent way to use up all of those scrap fabrics-- too cute not to use for something-- that every seamstress has drawers full of. Here in our home, we each have different fabric covers for our Bibles, which makes it so simple to tell them apart from one another. By the way, these fabric book covers are also fun to make reversible, because there will be no raw edges or seams showing when they're finished!
You'll need::
- fabric remnants (anywhere from one to three coordinating pieces)
- matching thread
- thin batting remnant (the kind used for quilting)
- large sheet of paper, pencil, ruler, scissors, and sewing pins
step one::
Lay your Bible or book out flat on a large piece of paper (freezer paper works really well); trace around the book softly with a pencil, being sure to keep the spine of the book flat to give an accurate measurement. Now, add 1/2" around the perimeter of your traced shape. Draw a soft line down the center of the rectangle you've made. Cut out the pattern.
step two::
Mark a dark line about 2" from the center line; repeat for opposite side. This will be the pattern for the sleeve of your book cover. Write "FOLD" on both of these lines. Your pattern should now look something like this...
step three::
Cut one of each from the full pattern...
- fabric for outside of cover
- fabric for inside of cover (I like this to be different than the fabric for the outside.)
- batting
Now, cut two on the fold line for the sleeve from your other piece of fabric. Your pieces should look like this...
step four::
Press all of your fabric pieces so they're nice and smooth; keep your two folded sleeve pieces folded, and press in the crease. Layer all of your pieces on top of one another in this order...
- batting
- outer fabric (right side up)
- sleeves (lay these with folded edges in the center, just like on your pattern piece)
- inside fabric (right side down)
Pin securely around the entire perimeter of the book cover. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch, but leave a gap on the lower edge in the "spine" area.
step five::
Separating the inside and outside fabrics, turn the entire cover through the gap. Fully extend the corners and press out any wrinkles in the book cover. Slipstitch gap closed, catching the batting as well.
Now they're done! And aren't they just too cute?
They are just too cute! A great project for my daughter and I. Thanks
Posted by: Kat | January 27, 2008 at 09:53 PM
So THAT'S the easy way to make a Bible cover! When I went to make mine last fall, I just about drove myself crazy trying to figure it out. The next one I make will definitely have to be with this pattern! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial! I just found your website the other day, and I've bookmarked it, so I'll be back!
Posted by: Mommy, the Human Napkin | February 5, 2008 at 06:23 AM
I have been looking for a nice Bible cover forever! I never thought about MAKING one! LOL Thanks for the instruction on how to do so!
Posted by: Megan Z. | April 24, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I have a very large Bible, and have been looking for Bible cases, but none of the ones I found were big enough. I never thought about making one either! I'll have to give it a try! Thanks!
Posted by: Rachel | December 18, 2009 at 08:43 PM
ive been a private tutor for years and wanted to teach these to my students. Thanks for the fashionable idea! Got to read more of your blog!
Posted by: private tutor | April 25, 2010 at 02:29 AM
im an 18 yr old student frm an african country, i just discovered your website and i must say you ngirls are doing a fab job!! i love this idea for the book cover, i was looking for something original like this for my diary. i wanted to make a request if possible, could you please show me a a way make cute headbands with fabric, i have so many headbands that are plain and need some 'zing'!! thank you in advance,
gill
Posted by: gillian | August 25, 2010 at 02:52 AM
Thanks for posting this! I just made a Bible cover for my sister using these instructions and she LOVES it! I think it's rather cute too- even if I do say so myself.;)
Posted by: Aasmith18 | December 9, 2010 at 02:29 PM
I own quite a few MBTs (only shoe I wear). I really like these for my summer shoe. They are comfortable with no binding on the toes. They give my feet good support all around. For sandals I always get a half size down from my regular MBT size because I don't wear my inserts in the sandals. Love 'em!
Posted by: mbts on sale | April 17, 2011 at 11:50 PM
i was looking for something original like this for my diary. i wanted to make a request if possible, could you please show me a a way make cute headbands with fabric, i have so many headbands that are plain and need some 'zing'!! thank you in advance,
http://www.tungstenlove.com/
Posted by: Silver Jewelry | October 9, 2011 at 07:42 PM
That was exactly what I was looking for. You have done a wonderful job communicating your message. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: MBT Shoes | November 7, 2011 at 10:53 PM
I can't really wait to start making these bible covers! THANK YOU FOR THE IDEA!
Posted by: buy essays online cheap | February 28, 2012 at 09:16 AM
Thank you so much for this pattern! I was searching for one that wouldn't have any messy exposed seams so this was perfect. Plus, I added a loop and button closure to keep it closed. Perfect!
Posted by: Tamara | May 27, 2013 at 06:12 AM
Do you have print friendly capabilities? I would like to print this out but don't want to print all the comments. I would like to make these for my bible study ladies for Christmas.
Blessings, Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | September 3, 2013 at 10:20 AM