I wanted to cover a plain black stationery-store journal to give as a gift: Could I make it pretty but not spend hours (and dollars) on it? I consulted Fabric Leftovers by D’Arcy-Jean Milne and found a method that was just right.
It’s basically the pillowcase method. You measure the book’s height and add 3/4 inch, then measure around it and add 5 inches. This is the size to cut your book cover. I used a piece of pink batik from my stash. Cut a piece of fabric the same size for the lining.
Before I stitched together the cover and lining, I added decorative elements to the cover. I centered a vintage cutwork doily on the top and stitched on some ribbon and vintage buttons. You could also sandwich a ribbon bookmark between the cover and lining before stitching.
Stitch the cover and lining right sides together, using a scant 1/4-inch seam. Then make a vertical cut in the center, just enough to turn the cover right side out.
Press the cover, being especially careful to roll the edges inward just slightly so the seam doesn’t show from the front of cover. Center the binding of the journal over the center of the cover and wrap the short ends around the front and back covers, checking that the fabric is loose enough to allow the book to close. Pin it in place, then hand stitch these side pockets at the top and bottom.
Slip the book into the cover, and—that’s it!
Other easy and attractive projects in this book include greeting cards, totes, and fabric boxes and bowls.
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2 Comments
Very pretty cover. Thanks for the tip, it would make a great gift for those hard-to-find-gifts-for people.
How quick, easy, versital, and special can you get? Great project!