eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Make Cloth Books for Children

Contributor
By Heather Finch
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

Babies can't read, but a cloth book can still function as an entertaining introduction to reading. Choose bright fabrics to catch the attention of the baby or use soft pastel colors for a more soothing tone. Cloth books do not have to be limited to babies, as toddlers and young children will appreciate a book they can tote around and take to bed with them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Sewing machine 1/2 yard fabric (for pages) Fabric scraps, embellishments
  1. Step 1
    Page layout.
     
    Page layout.

    Design your book. There will be a total of 12 pages and each page will be six inches by six inches. Choose a theme, such as letters, numbers, animals or shapes, or tell a story through pictures. You could embroider words by hand or with your sewing machine, or just choose simple pictures.

  2. Step 2

    Cut six pieces of fabric that are 12.75 inches by six and a half inches. Iron the pages flat. Sew your designs, leaving a quarter inch seam allowance on all sides. Leave a half-inch column in the center of the page for a margin allowance.

  3. Step 3

    Sew your pages together. Put the cover and back page together with page one and 10, right sides in. Sew around the edges with a quarter inch seam allowance, leaving a half inch hole. Sew together pages two and nine with three and eight and pages four and seven with five and six.

  4. Step 4

    Turn your pages right side out. Push the page corners out and sew the holes shut. Iron your pages flat, taking care around any embellishments. Fold each page in half and iron a crease in the center.

  5. Step 5

    Put your book together. Make a stack of the pages so they are in the correct order. Sew directly down the center of the pages. Fold the book in half and iron the spine. Sew another line an eighth of an inch from the spine.

Tips & Warnings
  • Always prewash fabric. Make the book sturdy enough so it can be washed.
  • Make sure all embellishments that may be a choking hazard, such as buttons or beads, are very secure and cannot be pulled off.
Resources
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Hobbies, Games & Toys Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

eHow Hobbies, Games and Toys
eHow_eHow Hobbies, Games and Toys