Crazy quilted Book cover Tutorial

This old thing started life as a 2014 Crazy Quilt International, Spring Fling challenge piece hosted by Therica Burrows

Where you bought the 7 fabric scrap, lace, motif and charms package and made a block with it 

the rules as I remember them were you had to use at least 5 of the fabrics and could add as many as 2 of your own and you had to use all the motifs and laces. I think I used everything in the package but one of the little blue birds

 So I finally decided what to do with it!

I made it into a book cover

I mounted the block onto a heavy card stock 

by first basting it taught 

When doing this I recommend having more than 1/2 an inch of turn over though!

I then glue the edges down to keep it there and stop any fraying from getting any worse!

Fabritack, aileesns Jewlit, or Gemtac work well for this.

Now for the inside, I measured out a piece of fabric the same size as the original block added pockets to each corner by folding a square 1/2 the length of the side.

I embroidered them because of course I did....

made handles and ribbon enclosures if you want to take a pencil for notes with you.

I then cut out 3 pieces of  card stock for the backing and it should all measure 1/4" smaller all around than the front. This part It should fold like a book so these pieces need to accommodate that.

The middle spine should be at least 3/4" wide and the sides should be 1/2 the size of the whole less 3/4" for the spine AND 1/4"for movement

I then glued the cardstock to the backing, there needs to be room for the whole thing to fold around a book so you want to accommodate this movement by leaving 1/4" on either side of the spine.

Let it fully dry before you take on the next bit 3-6 ours depending on your glue choice 

I positioned the pockets, handles and the ribbon closure & pinned it

I folded over the edges 1/4" and sewed it all down along the edge, as close to the edge as possible, so everything was firmly attached to the backing and the cardstock.

I think this gives you some extra firmness as well, you don't want your book flying out because the handle came loose!

Last step is to glue it all together

I do this by squeezing glue around the outside about 1/2 an inch from the edge and then spiraling in to the middle

Take a scrap piece of cardstock or a craft sponge and spread it evenly across the card 

When you get to the edges be very careful to spread the glue thin because you don't want glue squeezing out to the front when you set it together

It's always easier to put more on, much harder to take it off.

Put the back onto the front smoothing down as you go being careful to not get glue on the business side of the piece

I keep a wet cloth or paper towel around so I can wipe my hands between steps

Pace clamps around the edges &/or put a heavy book on it to set the glue.

I have used binding clips, hair pins, and on one occasion a hemostat and tension pliers because it needed just one more!

And Bobs you're uncle, a book cover!