How To Cover A Book

Here’s an idea: Keep your cookbook covers (or any book) clean by covering them with oil cloth. You can either glue the cloth directly on the book or make a pocket cover. These two methods are outlined below (including diagrams).

Covering A Book: Glue Method

Make a pattern by laying the book, opened at center, on paper and tracing around it. Allow about two inches at top, bottom and both ends to fold under. Cut away the corners from the part that folds under, and also cut away a V-shaped piece from the middle at top and bottom–to allow the cloth to fold under without buckling. See diagram below.

Cut the cloth from the pattern, fit it over the book, and glue the part that turns under to the inside of the book cover.

Covering A Book: Pocket Method

If you do not want to paste or glue the cloth to the cover of the book, a straight strip of cloth may be used, making pockets at each end for the covers to slip into.

Cut the cloth longer than the book measurement when the book is open. Draw pencil lines on reverse side at both ends of the book. Allow about 1/8″ extra width top and bottom. Fold at pencil lines, and bind top and bottom to for pockets at each end. See diagram above. Book covers are inserted into pockets.

Book can be covered with Oil Cloth, fabric or heavy paper.

Adapted From: How To Make good looking-inexpensive Things For the Home With Blenback Oil Cloth (1920’s/1930’s).

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