How to Cover Books Creatively

Covering books can be a fun project when coupled with a little bit of creativity.

Everyone has seen the typical brown grocery bag book cover: boring. This year, instead of doing the same old thing, use a little creativity in covering your books. Add some pizazz and flair that will turn everyone's head when you walk into the classroom carrying your textbooks. Creatively decorating book covers can be done with items you have around the house or purchase at a craft store.

Things You'll Need

• Brown paper
• Pictures
• Newspaper
• Punch-out shapes
• Glitter and glue
• Scrapbook paper
• Double-sided tape
• Self-laminating paper

Instructions

1. Cut a rectangle approximately three times the width and two to three inches more than the height of the book. A grocery bag, brown craft paper or butcher paper are all acceptable and can easily be decorated.

2. 

   Try doing something different with each book for lots of variety.

   Affix something creative to your paper rectangle using double-sided tape. For example, cut out your favorite comic strip from the Sunday paper, or create a photo collage. You can also use die cuts of your favorite shape. Purchase some scrapbook paper from a craft store and cut out various shapes to glue on for a classy look. Spread a light layer of glue on the front of the bag and sprinkle it with glitter for something dazzling and fun. This is your chance to be creative and personalize your books.

3. Cut a piece of the self-laminating paper about 1/4 inch bigger than your book cover. This step will protect your creative work and help your book cover to last longer. Carefully peel the back from the laminating paper. Begin with the right side and slowly press the book cover onto the laminate, carefully applying pressure to avoid getting air trapped between the two. You may need an extra set of hands to help with this step. Cut off any extra laminate from around the edges.

4. Center the open book on the book cover. Mark the top and bottom corners where the fold lines will be. Take the book off and fold the top edge down, along the top pencil marks. Use a ruler to press hard on the crease to get a very tight fold. Fold the bottom edge up along the pencil marks, creasing tightly.

5. Fold the right edge of the cover in along the pencil marks. Slip the back cover of the book into the pocket that is formed. Close the book. With the book closed, check to see if the cover is long enough to reach to the front and fold along the original pencil marks. If the cover falls short, adjust the marks. Fold the front edge of the cover and insert the front cover of the book. Now you're ready to impress your classmates and friends.

References

• Martha Stewart: Covering Books

Resources

• Family Fun: Book Covering Party