A sinking feeling

My computer is doing funny things, like flashing screens, things disappearing.  I think someone has put a hex on it or maybe it is due for some servicing?  I have tried 3 or 4 times to put up this post, one more try.

My son's girlfriend wanted some book covers in various sizes so I opened my boxes of soft furnishing samples for her to select what she wanted.  She selected Roses, (her name is Rosanna.)  The reason she had come to me was to high cost of book covers in the shops.  They start at about $20 and go up to $50 each.

Your basic fabric book cover  is easy and cheap to make.  If you use expensive fabric this can increase the cost but not to the amount of the store bought product, even if it is manufactured in India or China.  So here are the basic instructions.

Measure the height,

and width of your book, including the spine.

Just as a rule of thumb I add 1 and 1/2 inches to each measurement to allow for seams and ease.  Make sure you square up this piece of fabric and that the parallel sides all measure the same amount. 

For the sleeves I use a cotton fabric that coordinates with the cover fabric.  I know this is a little wasteful but I cut this piece the same size as the book cover.  Fold it in half length wise and cut 1inch in from the fold.   Neaten one height edge of each piece by zig zagging the edge and then turning a small hem and machining this in place. Place this on top of your cover fabric with the right sides facing each other.  You should have a gap in the middle.

Then cut a piece of calico the same size and pin this over the sleeves and the cover fabric. Next, begin sewing at the lower edge where the edge of the sleeve stops.  I use the width of my presser foot to set the width of the seam.

I sew both long sides and then the short sides leaving a gap between the sleeve edges on one side.  Then, trim the excess fabric from the corners.  If using furnishing fabrics you may need to straighten your edges as many of them have a lot of movement.

Turn the fabric to the right side through the gap you have left.  This usually leaves the fabric looking a bit worse for wear but don't be put off by this.

Iron your fabrics flat making sure that you roll the book cover fabric slightly to the inside.  By using a heavier fabric like a soft furnishing I find that this happens anyway.  Take time to iron your fabric till it sits flat.  Turn the opening seam to the inside. 

Now with the book cover facing up and using a straight stitch which you have lengthened to about 3 and1/2 length, stitch closely around the edge making sure that you close the opening.  This becomes the bottom edge.

Then inset your book inside the sleeves.

I find a simple cover like this takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish.  If you want to there are lots of other things you could do to decorate the main fabric before you put the pieces together.

Comments

[Rachel]

Yes, that's a clear and simple technique, and of course the basic piece can be embellished quite a bit....

[Carolyn Foley]

I often have people ask how you sew a basic cover. We often forget the basics.