Book lining has always been very useful for students who want to avoid damage to their textbooks. You can also decide to make a cover to replace one you don't like or one that has worn out, to make one of your books more beautiful. Whatever reason you have for making a cover, you can do it in many ways. Choose the style and type according to your preferences. From paper to felt, you have tons of options.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Making a Brown Paper Cover
Step 1. Get some brown paper for bags
This type of paper is ideal for book covers.
You can make a plain cover, or decorate it with stamps, paints or stickers. You could also use other types of paper: wrapping paper, drawing paper, or whatever, as long as they are strong enough to use for a cover
Step 2. Measure the cover
Spread the paper out on a flat surface. Center the book on the paper.
- If you are using a brown paper bag, cut it so that it can be spread out evenly. Also remove any handles.
- The paper should be larger than the book, so that you can wrap it around it and create pockets, which can hold the original cover.
Step 3. Draw a horizontal line on the paper, along the bottom and top edges of the book
Use a pencil and ruler to do this.
This horizontal line will be your guide for folding the paper and forming the pockets
Step 4. Remove the book from the paper
Fold the paper inward, along the lines you drew at the top and bottom.
- You can fold the paper along the horizontal lines you just drew.
- By using a "splint", you can make the creases more precise and sharp. A splint is a piece of plastic or bone, similar to a knife. It is used to achieve perfect folds without cutting the sheet.
Step 5. Put the book back on the folded paper
Its back should rest on the sheet. Center the book horizontally.
Make sure the sides of the paper are uniform in length on both sides of the book. Then, perfectly align the book with the folds
Step 6. Open the front cover of the book
Fold the left side of the paper over it.
With the cover open, take the left side of the paper and fold it over it. If you have a lot of paper available and the fold goes too far into the book, cut it out as desired
Step 7. Close the book, keeping the paper folded around the cover
Hold the left side of the paper still, the folded side inside the book.
- The paper should stick to the front cover. You may have to move the book to avoid breaking the paper on its back.
- If the paper is too tight, move the book to make it move more. You have to cover the whole book without tearing the sheet.
Step 8. Open the back cover of the book
Fold the right side of the paper inward.
- Just like you did for the front cover, fold the sheet over the back cover. If there is too much paper left, cut some.
- Close the book to make sure the paper is the right size.
Step 9. Slide both book covers into the new cover
Get them in one at a time.
- You will notice that you have created two pockets with the paper you folded. You can slide a cover into the corresponding pocket to hold the cover in place.
- If the creases are sharp, neat and the paper is quite heavy, you shouldn't need to tape it up. If necessary, however, you may have to secure the pockets.
Step 10. Decorate the book or label it
There are no limits to the methods you can use to make brown paper more interesting. You can draw on it, apply stickers to it, or paint it (do it before putting it on the book). Or put a label on the book, where you will write the title of the text.
- You can glue some ribbon or braided cords to the spine of the book to reinforce the cover and to embellish it. This can be a good idea especially if the book is intended for a wedding, guest signatures, or other mementos.
- You can also write the title of the book, or the name of the subject, on the front of the card, to make it easier to recognize.
Method 2 of 4: Making a Plastic Cover
Step 1. Get the plastic you want to use to cover the book
Plastic film is probably the most commonly used coating for books. You can use clear or colored adhesive film. Alternatively, you can use several non-adhesive plastic liners designed for book covers.
- Any type of plastic will protect your book. The non-adhesive variety, however, damages the paper less in the long run and is easier to remove. You can also make a cover for your book out of plastic sheets.
- Over time, the chemicals in the adhesive can ruin the book. Furthermore, adhesive films are not environmentally friendly, as a way to recycle them has not yet been invented.
- Normal plastic coatings require more work in application, but can be removed easily. You can also try lining a book with regular plastic wrap.
- The adhesive coating is available in rolls. You can usually find it in any store that sells stationery or DIY items. Most rolls are centimeter-sized on the back of the adhesive sheet to help you line up the plastic.
Step 2. Unroll a piece of adhesive plastic large enough to cover the entire book
Put the book on the plastic.
Center the book using the lines on the back of the plastic. If there are no such lines, use a ruler. This part is similar to wrapping a gift
Step 3. Cut the plastic from the roll
Remember to leave enough material to be able to line the front cover. This way, the plastic section you will be working with will be separated from the roll.
Your book should now be on top of a free, horizontal piece of plasticized paper. The material should go past the book on each side
Step 4. Remove the book from the paper
If necessary, peel the adhesive off its back.
If you are using adhesive laminated paper with a backing, you need to peel it off to reveal the sticky side. When you lay out the book, lay it on that side. The plastic will stick to the book
Step 5. Put the book back on the laminated paper
Open the front cover to cover it with the adhesive material.
Bring the laminated paper inside the front cover of the book. You could use a small piece of tape to hold it in place. Repeat with the back cover, but don't tape the plastic
Step 6. Cut out triangles in each corner of the plastic
After folding the lining on the corners, you need to remove the excess material.
- First, make two vertical cuts in the plastic on both sides of the book spine. Then, cut out the corners of the material from the top and bottom of the book. Cut diagonally, bringing the scissors closer to the corners of the volume.
- You need to cut corners to remove the excess plastic inside the book covers. Fold in the remaining material above and below the volume.
Step 7. Cut out the plastic flaps separated from the rest of the paper, at the spine of the book
You will notice flaps that are no longer connected to the rest of the material.
Cut these flaps, to easily fold up excess plastic
Step 8. Lift the back of the book off the plastic, leaving the front in place
This will highlight the flaps at the back.
Fold the flaps at the spine of the book towards the center of the plastic. Gently return the book to the folded material
Step 9. Fold in the plastic flaps
There is nothing left to do but open the book covers and fold the remaining parts of the plastic inside them.
- Try using masking tape to secure the plastic, without applying it to the book, if possible. It can be difficult to remove tape from a book, especially without damaging it.
- Check for air bubbles. You can pass a ruler along the cover to remove them. Are you done!
Method 3 of 4: Making a Fabric Cover
Step 1. Get the fabric you want to use
You can use a scrap from a sewing project, or buy a piece of fabric that you particularly like.
Whichever path you choose, lining a book with fabric is a nice way to keep it in good condition. Fabric can also add a personal touch to a book to make it unique and special
Step 2. Choose the fabric
The fabric needs to be strong enough to protect the book, so avoid too fragile materials.
Also get a light reinforcing thermo-adhesive cloth. This material serves to give stiffness to the fabric. You will apply the reinforcement on the wrong side of the fabric to give it texture
Step 3. Iron the fabric
Use an iron and make the fabric smooth, eliminating all wrinkles.
- Any wrinkles present when the cover was created will remain on the book.
- Try using a synthetic fabric, as man-made fibers do not wrinkle easily and the lining will be easier.
Step 4. Measure the cover
Spread the fabric out on a flat surface. Center the book on the paper. Make sure there is plenty of extra fabric.
- Draw two horizontal lines on the fabric, along the top and bottom edges of the book. Extend the edges of the fabric beyond the book to provide enough room on each side for the flaps.
- For best results, make flaps at least 5cm wide. If the book is very large, leave even more extra material.
- When cutting the fabric, leave a small margin both above and below the horizontal lines.
Step 5. Remove the book from the fabric
Cut out the fabric to the new measurements, to have more material than the size of the book.
Leave extra fabric, so you don't run out of material when cutting. A larger amount of fabric will also help you apply the reinforcement cloth. To do this, in fact, you will have to fold a small part of the fabric on itself, around the reinforcement
Step 6. Apply the iron-on backing to the wrong side of the fabric
It should be facing the book.
- The reinforcement cloth has a smooth and a wrinkled side, which must adhere to the fabric.
- Press the gusset against the fabric with a damp cloth. Then take the iron and iron it for 10-15 seconds. If you need to move the iron, lift it up and rest it on a new spot. Do not let it slide along the fabric.
Step 7. Put the book back on the fabric
The reinforced side should still face up.
The reinforcement cloth must not be visible. When you open the book on the table, it will be against the reinforced side of the fabric. This means that once the cover is finished, the reinforcement will be on the inside and will not be visible
Step 8. Open the front cover of the book
Spread the blanket over the fabric and fold the left side of the fabric inward.
- You need to fold the left side of the fabric over the book cover to create a pocket of sorts. Then, using a thumbtack, pin the fabric flaps together.
- The top and bottom edges of the fabric should slightly extend beyond the edges of the book cover. The extra fabric will allow you to secure the fabric without pinching the book.
Step 9. Open the back cover of the book
Fold the right side of the paper over it.
Repeat the same operation you did for the other cover, securing the fabric flaps together
Step 10. Remove the book from the flaps
You have now got the classic shape of a book cover.
Fold down the extra fabric that goes beyond the vertical margin of the book covers. Fold the material inward and secure it with a pin
Step 11. Sew the fabric
Using a topstitch, sew along the top and bottom sides of the cover.
Topstitching is a sewing method that involves passing the thread over the edges of the layers of fabric. The dots will then join the layers
Step 12. Secure the pockets as you sew
You need to make sure you sew all the flaps together.
- The stitching allows you to connect all the flaps and pockets folded inside. The final result will be a single large pocket, inside which you can fit the cover of the book.
- Repeat for both sides. You should have two pockets, one for each side sewn.
Step 13. Get the book inside its cover
It is now ready for everyday use!
You can reuse this cover for any other book of the same size
Method 4 of 4: Making a Felt Cover
Step 1. Use a colored piece of felt to make a book cover
Felt is a strong and resistant fabric. This is a good solution for children's books or notebooks that are often carried inside a backpack.
If you can, use wool felt rather than synthetic felt, as it is much easier to manipulate. However, this material is also considerably more expensive
Step 2. Use a piece of felt that is large enough to hold the book
The average surface area of a book is 21.5cm x 30.5cm. Depending on the size of the text to be lined, you may need a larger piece of felt.
The sides of the felt need to be large enough to fold inside the book covers to create flaps
Step 3. Spread the book on its spine
Open the covers. This will give you an idea of how much felt you need.
The book should be centered on the felt, open and flat
Step 4. Draw lines along the top and bottom edges of the book with a fabric pencil
These lines will help you remember where to fold the fabric. It is not necessary to draw lines along the vertical edges of the covers, because those parts of the felt will be folded inwards to form the flaps.
- The fabric remaining beyond the vertical edges of the covers is what will give rise to the flaps. If you used the measurements provided above, this part should extend approximately 5cm on each side.
- Leave a 6mm margin above and below the horizontal lines. This will allow you to have more felt to cut and fold.
Step 5. Cut the piece of felt
Lay it out on your work surface.
You now have a piece of felt slightly larger than the book
Step 6. Put the book on the felt
Spread it on the back and open the covers.
Center the book on the fabric, leaving identical margins to the left and right of the covers
Step 7. Fold the left vertical side of the felt inward
Take the part of the fabric that remains on the outside of the front cover of the book and fold it to the right. Secure it with a pin.
- You should have enough fabric above and below the edges of the book that you can only pin on the felt and not the paper.
- Repeat for the right side, securing the felt with a push pin. This will create the pockets for the covers.
- Carefully remove the book from the felt. Carefully slide the covers out of the pockets without blowing the pins.
Step 8. Sew along the top and bottom side of the felt
Secure each side with a seam to keep pockets in place.
You can sew by hand or machine, to give the cover the look you want
Step 9. Trim the excess felt above and below the seams
Leave a small piece of fabric over the seam. It is important not to cut it too close to the thread.
Don't cut too close to the thread, or you could break it and blow the seam
Step 10. Slide the book into the flaps
Close it to make sure it stays still. It should now be well protected.
Advice
- Book covers are cute and thoughtful gifts for friends who love to read.
- If you like using masking tape for DIY projects, you can make a cover entirely out of that material. For more information, read How to Make a Book Duct Tape Cover.
- You can add pockets to the covers if you wish. This tip is particularly suitable for fabric and felt versions, where you can keep a pen, eraser or bookmark.
- Before turning fabric into a blanket, you can embroider your favorite icon, animal, plant, name or whatever you like on it. First you have to center the covers, to be sure to embroider in the right place; you can do this after measuring and cutting the fabric, but before sewing the fabric flaps. If you are using a gusset, embroider before inserting it.
- If you are using plain paper, consider decorating, coloring, or printing designs on top of it before making the cover.
