How to Make a Fabric Book Cover (So EASY), by Hello Sewing on YouTube. 4 min 40 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 40 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Lay your book flat and measure its height and width. Add a few centimetres to each side so the cover slides on and off easily.
Work out your cut size: book height plus seam allowance for the top and bottom, and twice the width plus extra for the side flaps.
Cut one rectangle of fabric to your calculated size. Press it flat with an iron so the edges are easy to fold.
Fold the two short sides of the fabric inward to make the sleeve flaps. Pin them in place along the fold.
Sew along both folded side edges to hold the flaps. Backstitch at the start and end so the seams do not pull open.
Fold the top and bottom edges over and pin them down. Check the cover fits around the book before you sew.
Stitch along the top and bottom edges to close them, removing pins as you go.
Turn the cover right side out and push out the corners. Press it flat, then slide the book into the flaps.
Tips and common mistakes
Wash and iron your fabric before cutting so it does not shrink after the cover is sewn.
Use a cotton or canvas fabric for durability and easy cleaning.
Keep your pins away from the needle path and remove them as you sew to avoid a broken needle.
Questions
What fabric works best for a book cover?
Medium weight cotton or canvas holds its shape and resists spills. Avoid stretchy knits, which sag and slip off the book.
How much extra fabric should I add?
Add about 1 cm seam allowance on each edge, plus 5 to 8 cm on each side for the flaps that hold the book.
Can I make this without a sewing machine?
Yes. A simple backstitch or running stitch by hand works, though it takes longer than the 15 minutes a machine needs.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
