Book Cover “Pattern”………..kinda……….

To refresh your memory….a photo (For the complete info, see my previous post, here. . There’s a few variables….like the size of the book you will need to cover! Mine was a medium, hard cover book measuring: 5.75”x 8.75”x 1.5”(page thickness). The first measurement is this one…… With the book closed and adding about 1/2” to allow for the quilting and wrapping around the book.  Then measure the (2)height and (3)thickness, adding 1/2”to3/4” to allow for adding a binding that will extend beyond the book size.      Using these dimensions and the guidelines,below, for the additional desired flap closure, I drew up these plans……  Enlarge (by “clicking” on it) the ‘plans’ photo in order to see details of fold lines.   And, from there, adding a bit for “ease”,, make a paper pattern…….   The shape of the flap, and size, is totally up to you. It accommodated the strip of Velcro nicely and laid flat. The next step is to trace this shape on your fabric. You will need a top layer, backing and batting…….  The batting needs to be in the right 2/3s of the shape and NOT beyond the LEFT dotted line/into the FRONT pocket area. That extension will be folded to the inside of the book and doesn’t need additional bulk.    The above photo shows the batting ending about at that line. Really not super fussy. Baste the layers together as desired and quilt….again, stopping at that LEFT dotted line. I did stitch on that line to secure the batting (thru all 3 layers). Stitch a securing stitch around the perimeter line of the ‘jacket’ and cut just outside that line. The FRONT pocket edge may be bound or raw edges turned to the inside and topstitched at this point then folded to the inside on the fold line and pinned. The perfect spot for your label!!!! (Photo below……)   The back cover pocket is formed with 2 fabric pieces that I cut 4”x 9.5”. With right sides together, stitch the long/9.5” sides (only) together, leaving the short edges open. Turn, press and topstitch. Place at the appropriate line (see “plans” above for “back pocket) and stitch the outer 2 edges and edge towards the flap…….leave the edge towards the center open to receive the back cover. I, also, made a pencil/pen pocket and placed it so that it would be nesting in the book pages area. Be sure to place its opening at the top/right side up of the book!!!!. I used the usual binding width and application with a hand stitch finish. The Velcro strips were machine stitched on last (I was able to avoid stitching the front pocket closed…..but it depends on the front placement!!!!!!!)  This is only to provide you with some guidelines for your project. Be sure to “fit” the pattern to your application/book as you go and allow for “ease” or the book won’t stay closed if there’s too much “tension” when the covers are inserted into their pockets and the book is closed. If there are any questions (???), please, feel free to leave them in the comments and I will address them, in case others find themselves in the same situation. Have fun and I do hope this will fill a gifty need now or in the future.

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