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Monthly Project for August, 2003

Back To School Book Cover

Materials Needed

• 1yd fabric for inside and outside cover
• 1/2 yd coordinating fabric for pocket
• Matching or contrasting thread
• Book to cover

Measurements

Our example is for a sewn marble composition notebook. You can adjust the measurements to fit different size books. Our composition book measures 9 3/4 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches high, and about 1/2 inch thick.

The outside cover fabric will be twice the length plus the thickness, plus two seam allowances. The outside height is the height of the book plus two seam allowances.

The coordinting pocket fabric is the same length as the outside but only half as high.

The inside cover will be in three pieces to make flaps. Add an extra four seam allowances to the outside cover to get the inside cover length. The inside cover height is the same.

Composition Book Example

Length = 9 3/4 inches times 2 plus width of 1/2 inches = 20 inches. Add to that the seam allowances. Seam allowance = 5/8 inches times 2 seams = 1 1/4 inches.
OUTSIDE LENGTH = 20 + 1 1/4 = 211/4 inches long.

The height of the cover will be 7 1/2 plus 2 seam allowances.
OUTSIDE HEIGTH = 7 1/2 + 1 1/4 = 8 3/4 inches.

The inside cover fabric will be the same height and the same length as the outside cover piece plus 4 more seam allowances. (Four seam allowances of 5/8 inches = 2 1/2 inches)
INSIDE LENGTH= 211/4 + 2 1/2 = 23 3/4 inches.
INSIDE HEIGHT = 8 3/4 inches.

The coordinating fabric will be the same length as the outside fabric, but about half as high. The height of the pocket can be higher or lower, depending on your creative preference. Our finished pocket size is a 5 inches. To make a 5 inch pocket cut the coordination pocket desired height plus 2 seam allowances. In our example this is 5 + 1 1/4 = 6 1/4 inches.
COORDINATING POCKET PIECE = 211/4 inches long by 6 1/4 inches high.

We give the calculations here in case you need to calculate for a different size book.

Construction

1. Finish the top edge of the coordinating pocket fabric by serging the edge and turning under or by a narrow rolled hem. Mark center point.
2. Place the coordination fabric on the outside cover fabric, right sides up, like it will look when finished. Baste sides and bottom.
3. Sew pocket to front at center for book spine. For composition book, which is 1/2 inch wide, sew two seams 1/2 inch apart, or 1/4 inch from each side of center. Set aside.
4. Cut flaps from inside piece. Cut lengthwise two pieces for flaps. Each finished flap should be about 4 inches plus two seam allowances (5 1/2 inches for our composition book). For the inside cover you should have three pieces, a center piece and two flaps.
5. Finish one edge of each flap and both edges of the center piece.
6. With right sides together, place one flap on each side of the front. Baste top, bottom, and outside seams for each flap.
7. Place center piece in center, overlapping the flaps, and aligning with the center marks. Baste top and bottom. This center piece needs to be on top of, and overlapping the flaps. With the seams basted, you can turn the project right-side-out to be sure the finished book cover is constructed correctly.
8. Once you have checked the construction, turn the project inside-out once more. Seam entire outside edge on all four sides. Turn right-side out and you are done.
9. To use, place spine along center of inside cover. Pull flaps over each book cover. You now have a stylish book.