How to Cover a Bookshelf

Sew a functional and stylish cover for an inexpensive standard-size bookshelf and create an enclosed cloth cupboard to hide away the clutter from almost any room in your home. You can use the cupboard to store art supplies, dishes and even essentials for the bathroom. This cover pattern is designed for a standard 71 1/2-inch high by 29 1/2-inch wide by 11 1/2-inch deep bookshelf. You can alter the measurements to fit a shelf of any size.

Things You'll Need

• Standard discount store bookshelf
• 6 yards fabric
• Measuring tape
• Yardstick
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Seam ripper
• Needle and thread
• 1/2-inch-wide ribbon, 2 yards
• 1/2-inch dowel
• Handsaw

Instructions

1. Measure and cut one piece of fabric for the top that is 12 1/2 inches wide by 30 1/2 inches long, one piece for the back that is 30 1/2 inches wide by 72 1/2 inch long, and two pieces for the side panels measuring 12 1/2 inches wide by 72 1/2 inches long. Note: If you're adjusting the pattern to fit a different size shelf, notice the pieces are cut by the shelves' dimensions, plus an inch for 1/2-inch seam allowances. You also will need to cut two side front frames 8 inches wide by 72 1/2 inches long and one top front frame 8 inches wide by 30 1/2 inches long. These frame pieces will create a door frame for the front of your bookshelf cover. Cut two pieces for the front flap and lining 26 1/2 inches wide by 72 1/2 inches long. Lastly, cut six pieces of ribbon each 12 inches long.

2. Place the front flap piece and the lining together with the right sides facing and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance on both long sides and one short side for the bottom. Clip the corners and turn the flap right side out and press. Topstitch 1/4 inch from the bottom edge of the front flap. Measure up from the topstitch 1 inch and topstitch again creating a casing. Use a seam ripper to open the seams of the front flap on the ends of the casing.

3. Fold a side front frame in half with the wrong sides together, matching the long raw edges. Press the side front frame. Baste the two raw edges together 1/4 inch from the edge. Repeat for the other side front frame and the top front frame.

4. Create the front of the cover. Lay the front flap on your work surface. Pin an end of one ribbon to the center open end of the flap through all thicknesses. Pin a ribbon 2 inches from each side of the flap on the opening end. Turn the flap over and add the remaining three ribbons in the same places. Place the top front frame along the top of the flap, matching the raw edges and pin. Note: You will have extra top frame hanging off of each side. Place a short end of a side front frame on the top front frame, matching the raw edges on the top of the flap and the side of the top front frame. Repeat for the other side of the frame. The side front frames will run vertically down the front of the flap with the long raw edges on the outside. Sew a basting stitch along the top edge of the flap, through all thicknesses, to hold.

5. Place the back panel of the bookshelf cover right side up on your work surface. Place the top piece for your bookshelf cover, right side down, on the back panel piece. Match one 30 1/2-inch edge from both pieces and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Iron the seams open. Unfold the top panel so it is right side up. Lay the pinned edge of the front flap, right side down, along the 30 1/2-inch edge of the top panel. The doorframe pieces are on the wrong side of the front flap. Pin the 30 1/2-inch edge together and sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Iron the seams open. Unfold the front flap and doorframe pieces. Place a 12 1/2-inch end of one bookshelf cover side panel on a short end of the top panel and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Repeat with the other side panel on the remaining side of the top panel. Iron the seams open. Pin the long edges of the side panels to the long edges on the back panel and the long edges of the side front frame pieces. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance on all pinned edges.

6. Fold the bottom edge of your bookshelf cover to the wrong side 1/4 inch and press. Fold the bottom edge 1/4 inch again and press. Sew a topstitch around the folded edges for the hem on your bookshelf cover. Turn the bookshelf cover right side out and place it on your shelf. Cut the dowel 25 inches long. Insert the dowel into the casing on the bottom of the front flap. Roll the flap to the top of the shelf, and tie a ribbon from behind the flap and one from in front of the flap, in a bow. Repeat for the remaining ribbon pairs. When you want your shelf closed, simply untie the ribbons.