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Items made from this pattern may be sold with the following
conditions:
*Please offer credit to Imazzpatterns in any written product
description.
* All items for sale must be handmade by you. Contracting with
others to mass produce the design is expressly prohibited.
Distribution of the pattern and corresponding instructions
is expressly prohibited.
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Protecting your book with a fabric cover will ensure your much-loved treasure is safe and looking
good for many years ahead. Unlike plastic or paper, fabric cover gives a nice feel to the touch
and lasts longer too. With useful handles, you can tote around your favorite book easily.

As books come in various sizes and thicknesses, there is no pattern that can fit all. This tutorial
will explain and show in details the techniques and calculations needed to get the right
measurements. Using this simple calculation that can be applied to ALL sizes of books, you will
never go wrong. I myself have made covers for more than 20 books of all sizes and thicknesses
using this method.

Also included is a pattern for A4 sized book with 1 inch thickness. Most books are slightly smaller
or bigger than this size, so you can adjust the pattern to make your own book cover.

In case youre wondering why I named this pattern 123 - its because I use these numbers a lot in
this pattern. Or I am running out of ideas..

MATERIALS
Fabric (estimation only the exact amount depends on the size of the book)
yard of cotton for main fabric / exterior linen or cotton linen or 100% cotton fabric is
suitable.
yard of coordinating fabric (same material as main fabric)
yard fabric for lining cotton unbleached cotton, calico, etc.

Fusible Interfacing
yard of medium-weight fusible interfacing. If the exterior fabric is thick, use light-weight
interfacing.

Tool List
Sewing machine with normal foot, scissors, ruler, chalk, pencil, pins, paper clips, thread, fabric
glue. A domestic sewing machine is adequate, though the home industrial sewing machine can
handle thick areas easier.

Skill intermediate / confident beginner. Having basic skills in sewing and has completed a few
simple bags.

Note: This is a FREE pattern for Craftsy members. You can download it for personal use. You can share
this pattern in your blog, FB page or groups by giving the LINK TO MY CRAFTSY SHOP. Do not
distribute the pattern itself. Kindly check my other patterns as an appreciation to this FREE one. I am
also selling this pattern for a very low price at my Etsy shop (because of fees that I have to pay,
please understand).Visit FB page : imazzpatterns for more info and free tutorials.
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Preparing Fabric and Pattern Pieces

Step 1 : Take book measurements
Before you can start making a cover for your own book, I will explain the steps in taking
measurements. Please read carefully and understand all the steps before you start the
project.

The sample book shown here is of A4 sized ( 11 inches x 8 inches x 1 inch thickness).
The bookcover comes with handles. There is an optional pocket on one of the book flaps.

Take the 3 measurements as shown in Picture 1. From these 3 measurements you can get the
other 3 measurements Flap, Center and Front panel.

Write them down in Table 1: My book measurement on page 5.

Length

Width

Picture 1
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The table below shows how to calculate measurements for the book cover. The sample book
measured here is A4-sized with 1 inch thickness. You can use this method to calculate
measurements for books of ANY SIZE OR THICKNESS.

Sample Book Measurement Paris in B&W ( in inches )

+ 1 seam
Description Measurement + ease
allowance
L Length 11 12 ( +1 )=14
W Width ( front ) 8
T Thickness 1
Flap Flap
( Piece B) ( same as Width )
8 ( + )= 8
Front Panel ( 2/3 of ( 8 x 2/3 ) = 5 or
P* W) (8.25 x 0.666 ) =5.5
Center
( P x 2 )+T ( 5 x 2 ) + 1 = 12 13 ( + )=13
(Piece A)
*P is not a piece. It is the measurement needed to make Piece A ( center piece )

If you are using metric measurements please refer to page 13.

8 13 8

Piece B Piece A Piece B

(Center Piece) 14
(Flap) (Flap)
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Now lets start with your OWN BOOK.

Measure the Width, Height and Thickness of your book. Fill in the table below.

Table 2 : My book measurements

+ 1 seam
Description Measurements in inches + ease
allowance
L Length +1 = +1 =
W Width ( front )
T Thickness
Flap Flap ( same as
( Piece B)
+ =
Width )
Front Panel
P* (..x 2/3 )=
( 2/3 of W )
Center
(Piece A)
( P x2 )+T (x 2 )+ = +1 = + =
*P is not a piece. It is the measurement needed to make Piece A ( center piece )

Write down the measurements in the pattern pieces below. This helps you in measuring and
cutting the fabric accurately.

Piece B Piece A Piece B

.
(Flap) (Center Piece) (Flap)

Pattern 1

Step 2 Cut fabric and Interfacing

Using the measurements in Pattern 1 , cut out the fabric and interfacing.

Fuse the interfacing to the exterior fabric pieces. Follow the manufacturers instructions
regarding heat setting and press time
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Sewing Instructions
seam allowance used throughout unless otherwise noted

Step 3 Make and Assemble Handle

The length of the handles depends on the size of the book and also on the preference of the
person who carries it. No rigid rules here to follow but basically I make them 2 or 2 inches
shorter than the flap. The best way is to pin a piece of strap and decide the most comfortable
length for you. For the sample book here, the length is 18 inches. If you want to make the
handle quickly, opt for ready-made cotton webbing.

Cut 2 pieces of fabric measuring Fold the fabric to create a crease.

18 ( length ) and 5.5 ( width ). Cut 18 x 1 interfacing and fuse to the
wrong side of fabric, along the crease.

Fold in the fabric towards the center. Press. Topstitch along the length of handle.
Then fold again. Pin along the handle.
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The suitable placing for the handle is shown in the Diagram below. Divide the length of the
book into 3 and mark them on Piece B. Place the handle as shown. Sew a rectangle along the
1 of the handle.
Place the handle and sew as shown below.

Piece B
Inside Flap
1/3 of length

Center

Step 4 Attach pattern pieces and make lining.

Piece A ( center piece )

Right side down
Inside Flap
Sew to attach the three pieces. Lay Pieces B right sides up as in the above diagram. Then
place Piece A ( right side down ) on top of Pieces B. The flaps ( Pieces B )will overlap each
other. Pin or use paper clips to hold the pieces.

Sew seam on both sides.

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Then trim away the

interfacing in the seam
allowance. This is optional
but it helps in reducing
bulkiness. Do this carefully,
taking care not to cut the
fabric or thread.

Press open the seams.

Topstitch on both sides
of the seams. Press firmly.

Lay the exterior piece on

lining fabric.
Mark the lining fabric
following the outline of
exterior fabric . Then cut
out the lining.

Do not stitch here

Place the right sides of lining and exterior fabric together. Pin . Sew all the sides but leave 6
inches on one of the sides unstitched.

Trim the corners by cutting out the
interfacing. This is to produce sharp
pointy corners when you turn out the
fabric later on.
9
Insert your hand through the 6 inches
opening and pull out the entire bag. Do it
carefully and patiently. Using a dull
instrument poke the corners until you get a
pointy tip.
Press the entire bag firmly.
You can pin the 6 inch opening
and sew it closed later. Or use
fabric glue to fuse the lining and
exterior fabric quickly.
The book cover should look like
this at this stage.
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Step 5 Complete the book cover

Draw a line at the center.

Place the book at the center line as
shown here.

Fold the flap towards the inside of the

book. Use big paper clips to hold the
flap position.
Repeat with the other side.

If you wish to add a pocket, do it at this

stage ( before you stitch the flap ). As
the flap is now folded, you can gauge
the measurement for the pocket easily (
see Instruction for making pocket on
page 13 )
After you are done with the pocket,
sew along the top and bottom edge of
the book cover. Double topstitching to
get a neat and professional-looking
finish.
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Insert the book.

Yeay!! Its done !

Ive received lots of compliments from satisfied

customers regarding this book cover. They
especially appreciate the sturdy handles. In my
country school teachers carry this heavy record
book to classrooms. One of my customers used
it DAILY for 2 years, and it is still in good
condition. However she requested a new one
because she was getting bored looking at the
same fabricwell, thats not my fault

Imaz Zaman of Imazzpatterns.

The measurements ( in metric ) for this

Red Floral book cover are available
on page 14.
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Make Pocket on Flap

( use the pattern on page 13 if your book is of A4 size, regardless of its thickness )

3. Cut interfacing smaller

2. Cut 2 pieces of fabric than fabric. Fuse interfacing
1. Make a template for pocket. to exterior fabric.
for exterior and lining.

4. Sew the pocket. Leave 5. Snip along the curve and trim the
2 unstitched. Do not corners. Then turn out the fabric
sew on interfacing. through the opening.

6. Topstitch along the curve only. 7. Patch it on the flap and sew to
attach the pocket.

The pocket is perfect for

bookmarkers and notes.
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This is a sample book measurement for Red Floral Book ( see picture ). The metric measurement is easier to work with as you can use normal
calculator to find the exact figures.
Sample Book Measurement ( in cm )
+ 2.5 cm
Description Measurement + ease
seam allowance
L Length 25 27.5 cm ( +3.75 cm)=31.25 cm
W Width ( front ) 18
T Thickness 6.5
Flap Flap
( Piece B) ( same as Width )
18 ( + 1.25 cm) =19.25 cm
Front Panel ( 2/3 of ( 18 x 2/3 ) = 12 or
P
W) (18 x 0.666 ) =12
Center
( Px2 )+T ( 12 x 2) + 6.5 = 30.5 33 cm ( +1.25cm)= 34.25 cm
(Piece A)
Recommended handle length is 38 to 40 cm.
My Book Measurement ( in cm )
+ 2.5 cm seam
Description Measurement + ease
allowance
L Length (+2.5)= ( +3.75 cm)=
W Width ( front )
T Thickness
Flap Flap
( + 1.25 cm) =
( Piece B) ( same as Width )
Front Panel ( 2/3 of ( x 2/3 ) =
P
W) (.. x 0.666 ) =
Center
( Px2 )+T ( x 2) + .. = (+2.5)= ( +1.25cm)=
(Piece A)
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