Book Cover Tutorial

I like to use old books in my vignettes I create throughout my home. The books in this vignette are almost 100 years old.

But what if you don't have any old books...or the books just don't go with your decor?  How about making very simple covers for any hardcover book.

I started with a couple of hard cover books that I would not otherwise display (I believe that writing handbook is from my freshman year of college).  I also went through my scrapbook paper and chose sheets of paper that I had two of.  When I was in high school, I would cover my text books using old brown paper bags and then decorate them.  The book covers I made today have much more style.

Flipping the paper over, I taped the two matching sheets together.  I needed two sheets in order to cover both the front and back of the book.

I laid the book on top of the paper with an even distance on the top and bottom (it doesn't have to be exact).  I folded the paper up at the top and bottom of the book to make a crease for me to follow.

Using that crease, I folded the paper all along the top and bottom as shown above.

I then laid the book back on the paper and brought the two ends together.  I creased it again on the sides of the book and folded it again.  I then tucked the front cover of the book in one end and the back cover into the other end.

I wanted something to cover the seam where I attached to two pieces of paper.  I used Martha Stewart adhesive ribbon.  Great product.  It was in a gift basket filled with crafting supplies I received for Christmas from my Secret Santa.

Just peel off the backing and adhere.  Couldn't be any easier, right?

Here are the two books in my new vignette.

Such a pretty shabby chic look, for the total cost of a couple of dollars.  It also took less than ten minutes.  You can't beat that...easy, cheap and chic!  I love how it came out.  Let me know what you think.  As always, I love and appreciate your comments.

-Judy