These diy book cover ideas are just in time for the new school year. I don’t know about you, but I remember covering my textbook with paper bags and drawing all over it. While we do show this method of covering books (because let’s be honest, it was the best for school books), we also have two other ways to cover up books that are a little more grown up.
By using fabric instead of paper bags, we get an easy way to class up the bookshelf. You can even use white fabric and print, paint, or stamp on the spine and front to create a cute and more permanent way to display and protect your books. The last method is to turn those old paperbacks into hardback books. I know some of you may be opposed to permanently altering a book, but I think you’ll agree – this 50-year-old copy of George Orwell’s Essays needed a little TLC.
Go ahead and see what we did in the video below, and get the full instructions beneath the video!
Supplies:
Classic Paper Cover
– Brown paper bag
– Scissors
– Sharpies
– tape
Fabric Cover
– Fabric of choice
– Pen
– Scissors
– Hot Glue
Paperback to Hardback
– Cardboard
– Fabric of choice
– Scissors
– Pen
– Hot glue
Directions:
Classic Paper Cover
1. Measure and trace around book. Cut the outline and lay it flat with the design facing up.
2. Mark where the corners are and draw a square in each of the corners.
3. Fold edges down and secure with a piece of tape.
4. Draw on the cover to customize your book!
Fabric Cover
1. Measure and trace around book. Cut the outline and lay it flat with the design facing down.
2. Mark where the corners are and draw a square in each of the corners.
3. Fold edges down and secure with hot glue.
Paperback to Hardback
1. Trace the front cover, back cover, and spine onto a piece of cardboard.
2. Lay out the cardboard pieces with the spine in the center and a ½ inch between each piece. Cut two strips of regular paper and attach with glue to the cardboard pieces.
3. Trace the cardboard cover onto fabric with a 2 inch margin.
4. Cut out and glue fabric to the cardboard.
5. Glue the paperback book into its new cover.
SKM: below-content placeholderWhizzco for CRH