How to Make a Paperback Book Cover

Make a clear vinyl cover to protect your paperbacks.

You can protect your paperbacks while still seeing the title of the book you are currently reading by making a cover from clear vinyl. This cover is made with a permanent, sewn flap into which the front cover of the book slips, but the back is left free to allow it to fit various widths of paperback books. The back of the cover simply folds over the back of the book. Because vinyl tends to collect static, the cover stays in place without the use of any fasteners. The universal fit of the cover will work for all 7-inch-long paperbacks.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 12-gauge clear vinyl
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a piece of 7½ -by-16-inch vinyl.

2. Fold over one short edge 2 inches, creating a 7½ -by-14-inch rectangle. Press down to flatten fold.

3. Using a straight stitch on your sewing machine, sew ¼ inch from the edges along both long sides. Keep the flap created in the previous step folded over as you stitch, sewing through both layers. Clip thread. Do not sew the short edges.

Tips & Warnings

• Vinyl sometimes sticks when put through certain sewing machines. If you experience this issue, gently pull the material to help feed it through.