His & Her Book Covers

By Agnes Mercik

Serge a quick cover for a notebook, album or journal,

and you’ll have a perfect gift idea. For Father’s Day FINISHED SIZE
Adjustable to fit up to 81⁄2-inch x
you might want to choose a sports theme fabric. Add 11-inch size book
pockets to store a pen and hold those reading
glasses. For Mom, select a more feminine fabric and MATERIALS
•  44/45-inch-wide cotton fabrics:
add an optional embroidered appliqué. These are 1
⁄2 yard of desired print
gifts that are sure to please. (for cover)
1
⁄8 yard each of 4 coordinating
solids and/or prints
1
⁄2 yard of desired solid or print
(for lining)
•  1 ⁄2 yard of fusible tricot interfacing
•  1 novelty button
•  Desired-size book, note pad, etc.
(photographed model is
81⁄2 inches x 11 inches)
•  Spray sizing
•  Hand sewing needle
•  Serger
•  Sewing machine (built-in
alphabet feature optional)

HIS COVER INSTRUCTIONS

Cutting
•  From cover print fabric, cut one
piece 12 inches x 18 inches.
•  From first solid (red) fabric, cut
one piece 9 inches x 12 inches.
•  From second solid (olive green)
fabric, cut one piece 10 inches 
x 10 inches.
•  From third solid (gold) fabric, cut
one piece 11⁄2 inches x 12 inches.
•  From fourth solid (blue) fabric,
cut one piece 3 inches x 6
inches.
•  From fusible tricot interfacing, cut
one piece to match each of the
above pieces and press to wrong
side of each.

Pocket
1. Press 10-inch-square piece in
half wrong sides together. If desired,

From Clotilde’s Sewing Savvy magazine, May 2003, Vol. 4, No. 3, Pages 24-25, Copyright © 2003 Clotilde’s Sewing Savvy magazine
machine embroider person’s name
along left half of folded edge on
pocket to personalize it.
2. Place pocket piece over 9-inch
x 12-inch piece. Pleat bottom edge
of pocket in two places for pen and
glasses pockets (Illustration). Stitch
pleats in place and baste along
bottom and side edges of pocket.

Press 1/4" pleats and stitch

down to form pockets

9"

3. Press 11⁄2-inch-wide strip in half

lengthwise. Place on left-hand edge
of assembled pocket and stitch.
Press seam open.

Front
1. With right sides together, serge
trimmed edge of assembled pocket
to one end of 12-inch x 18-inch
piece.
2. Pleat bottom edge of pocket in
two places for pen and glasses
pockets. Machine baste pleats in
place along bottom edge of pocket.
Cover Assembly
1. Place book on cover fabric to
check dimensions, allowing for seam
allowance and 1⁄ 2-inch ease. Trim
lining fabric to match assembled
front piece. Place pieces right sides
together.
2. Serge across each long edge of
layered pieces. Turn right sides out.
Using spray sizing, press.
3. Serge short ends.
4. Wrap cover piece around book
and mark where end flaps should be
folded. Fold ends to lining side and
press. Edgestitch across each long
edge of cover.
5. For tab closure, fold 3-inch x
6-inch piece in half lengthwise and
press. Cut a 3⁄4-inch point at one end
of strip. Stitch along pointed end
a n d l o n g e d g e s . Tr i m s e a m
allowance. Turn. Stitch buttonhole
on pointed end. Edgestitch piece.
Position straight end on back of
cover and stitch in place. Hand sew
button on front of cover to match
buttonhole at end of tab closure.
HER COVER INSTRUCTIONS
Cutting
•  From print fabric, cut one piece
13 inches x 36 inches.
•  From grey fabric, cut one piece 9
inches square.
•  From print fabric, cut one piece 2
inches x 12 inches.
•  From light green fabric, cut two
pieces each 2 inches x 24 inches
•  From peach fabric, cut two pieces
each 11⁄2 inches x 24 inches, cut
one piece 1 1⁄ 2 inches x 12
inches.
Front
The embroidered flower on front
of book cover is optional.
1. Embroider motif and hand sew
on beads. Trim fabric piece to 6-inch
square.
2. Place peach piece against top
and bottom of motif square. Place
print on top followed by 6-inch x
12-inch strips. Serge all layers.
Press.
3. Assemble and serge on side
edges of motif square in same manner.
Press.
4. Place pieced strip diagonally on
print cover piece. Straight stitch in
the ditch. Trim excess ends from
pieced strip.
Assembly
Complete cover assembly in same
manner as His Book Cover, excluding
tab closure. ✄

From Clotilde’s Sewing Savvy magazine, May 2003, Vol. 4, No. 3, Pages 24-25, Copyright © 2003 Clotilde’s Sewing Savvy magazine