How to Make Book Cloth

When you’re into bookbinding and other book arts, you know that book cloth is not only expensive, but you’re often limited to some pretty bland choices. When you can make your own book cloth, the possibilities are endless, but it’s important to do it right. If you use just regular fabric without doing anything to it, the glue will seep through, creating dull opaque splotches that are not pretty at all. This is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to solve any book cloth woes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• About a yard of woven cotton fabric (no knits)
• About a yard of iron-on adhesive such as Heat-n-Bond
• About a yard of tissue paper, or other light-weight paper like rice paper
• Iron and ironing board

1. Cut the fabric, adhesive, and tissue paper all the same size.
2. Adhere the adhesive to the fabric according to package directions. Do not use the steam setting. If you find the nylon/silk setting isn’t hot enough, go up to polyester, but no further.
3. Peel off the backing from the adhesive and place it on the tissue paper.
4. Iron directly on the tissue paper. Be careful to avoid bubbles or folding. Now you are ready with customized book cloth to cover a book.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to the upholstery section of the fabric store and try some fabrics like suede or pleather.
• Try embroidering the cloth before turning it into book cloth.
• Don't use super thin fabrics, or synthetic fabrics that can't be ironed.