You Can Make Your Own Book Covers for Less Than What You Would Pay in a Store

     In my travels around the stores, I saw fabric book covers for students' textbooks that were, in my opinion, expensive.  $3.99 and $4.99 a piece.

     If each student has 6 or 7 subjects and must cover each textbook, the minimum cost would be $24.00. And if you have multiple children in school, you're looking at a hundred dollar bill just for book covers!

     Making your own book covers is easy and much less expensive.  

     The best fabric to use is a jersey knit--what T-shirts are made of.  Depending on the size of the books, you can probably get 3-4 book covers out of a yard of fabric.  

     If you have left-over fabric sitting in a bag, this is a great way to use those little pieces.

     Another source of fabric is using old T-shirts that maybe don't fit any more.  If your child has a favorite T-shirt that doesn't fit, but can't let it go, cut it up for a book cover.  Cut the shirt so that the design will be on the cover of the book.

     Making The Book Cover

     Directions:

1. Measure the height of the book and add half an inch to allow for the seam.
2. Measure the width of the book--start at the front edge and wrap the tape measure all the way around the closed book and add 10 inches for the "pockets" where the book will be inserted.
3. Cut the fabric to these measurements.
4. With right sides together, fold in 5" on each end and pin in place.
5. At the top and bottom sew the folds 1/2" from each edge.
6. Turn the fabric right side out.
7. Slip the book's front and back covers into the pockets. 

     And there you have it.  The nice part about these book covers is that they're washable and can be used for years to come.