by Kara Sommer

I love to read! I read most anything I can get my hands on. Here is a super cute idea for decorating your favorite books. Or, perhaps you could encourage your kids to read too by fitting a new book with a cover made especially for them. This is also great for sprucing up a plain old journal. Add a pocket and you will always have a pen handy! Be creative by adding lots of embellishments. These make simple but great gifts.

Supplies:

• Book
• Tape measure
• Fabric
• Sewing machine and thread
• Iron
• Scissors
• Embellishments (Ribbon, buttons, patches, beads, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Measure book across back cover, spine, and front cover. Add 5 inches.
2. Measure book height. Add 1 inch.
3. Cut fabric to measurements.
4. Finish all sides of fabric. Fold each edge in 1/4” and press. Turn again 1/4”, press, and stitch in place.
6. Add embellishments. Secure in place. (I added a pocket, ribbon place markers, buttons, and rick rack.)
7. Fold each end of fabric in 2”. Press. Stitch close to edge from fold to finished edge.
8. Insert book.

This will be Kara’s last Clever Creations column before her family’s move to Northern Nevada and other pursuits. We have appreciated her fun and crafty ideas, and wish her well.

If you are crafty and would like to submit quick and easy craft ideas for this column, please send them to Editor@DesertSaintsMagazine.com. If we use your submission we will pay you $50.