How to Make Your Own Hardback Books

Make your own printed pages into a book, or re-cover an old favorite. It's the next best thing to reading.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• cardboard
• glue
• exacto or utility knife
• patterned cloth or plain
• fabric paint

1. First you will want to determine the size of your book. You already have the pages cut and joined, and are ready to cover your masterpiece. Put in an extra page on which to glue the inside covers. When you have decided what size, cut a cardboard rectangle that is at least 1/4 inch larger than your open pages. You can trim if needed.

2. Second is choosing which inside covers you want. If you want it in paper, cut it to fit your open book spread out. You will need to do two of these, one for the front and one for the back. Make these just a bit smaller than your open-page book. You should make sure your paper is strong enough, and might want to consider using a card stock thickness. Then fold or score it so that it fits smoothly.

3. Now choose the material for the outside cover. If you chose cloth, cut one piece about 1/4 inch larger than your spread open book. When you are ready, lay all the cut out pieces in order of assembly: cardboard cover, book pages, inside covers, outside cover.

4. Glue the book pages into the center of your cardboard cover after making sure it is trimmed to size. Be sure it is dry before you proceed. If necessary, score the cardboard with an Exacto knife just outside the inserted pages and fold the cover around the pages.

5. Now you can trim away as much as you want to make the covers fit the pages. About 1/4 inch is as much as you will need. And it's time to make the outside cover. Take the material you have chosen and glue it around the outside of the book. Weigh it down and let it dry.

6. One last glue job: Tuck the corners of your material so that they fit the cover. Glue them in place. Trim the outlines with strips of colored card stock paper. You can make them to match the color of your cover.

7. Now you can decorate your book with fabric paint, or you can cut out letters and gloss them onto the front. You can even glitter it, or paint it, or attach a photo to make it uniquely yours.

[mekiyah]

on 8/31/2009 This article is both fascinating and well written. It is evident the author used much care and patience while creating these step by step instructions. I will be crafting my own hardback book in no time!