How to Make a Secret Compartment in a Book

This craft project lets you alter a book so that it becomes a mini-safe where you can hide money, jewelry or other valuables. When complete, the book slides right back onto the shelf from where it came and no one is the wiser. A book with a secret compartment is an inexpensive and clever gift for Mom, Dad, a friend or a teacher.

Things You'll Need

• A large, hardcover book
• Plastic wrap
• White glue
• 1/2- to 1-inch wide paintbrush
• Craft knife
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Felt for the lining

Instructions

Prepare the Book

1. Select a large, hardcover book at least 2 inches thick. Remove the dust jacket and set it aside.

2. Set aside a group of pages at the front of the book. These remain intact and become the cover for the secret compartment. Count off a group of 20 to 25 pages and rubber band them to the front cover to keep them out of the way.

3. Mix a 50/50 solution of white glue and water.

4. Place a piece of plastic wrap around the front cover and the pages rubber banded to it to protect them from the glue. Wrap the entire back cover in plastic wrap.

5. Lay the book on a sturdy, flat surface. Press down on the loose pages to hold them together. Paint the glue solution over edges of the pages around all three sides (top, bottom, side), using a paintbrush 1/2- to 1-inch wide.

6. Close the book and set a heavy object on it to press the pages together as the paint dries. Wash the paintbrush immediately.

Cut the Hollow

1. Open the book when the glue has dried completely. Remove the plastic wrap from the front and back covers. Determine the width, length and depth of the hollow.

2. Use a ruler and pencil to draw off the length and width of the opening on the chosen page. Center the opening vertically and horizontally. Allow at least the width of the ruler around all four sides of the opening.

3. Cut carefully along the marked lines using the straight edge as a guide. Work slowly, cutting down through the pages gradually. Cut around all four sides of the opening and remove several layers of the cut pages.

4. Continue cutting until the secret compartment is the desired depth. Leave at least 1/2 inch of uncut pages at the bottom of the hollow.

5. Create a paper pattern that fits the bottom of the hollow. Cut a piece of felt to match the pattern and hot glue it in place. Line the sides of the hollow with felt as desired.

6. Replace the dust jacket. Place the desired items in the book's secret compartment and set the book on the shelf among similar volumes.