I recently started my Spring cleaning, fashionably late as always, and when I came across a bunch of old books, I paused. Wondering what to do with them, I seriously considered tossing them. After much deliberation and them sitting on the floor for about a week, I ultimately decided to keep and repurpose them as home decor props around my house. Before strategically placing them around my home I wanted to make them look a little prettier. I grabbed some glue, scissors, and fabric and decided to give them a brand new look. Check out my super easy tutorial for DIY Fabric Covered Books.
My house is full of books—kids books, mommy books, how-to books, cookbooks, self-help books, the list goes on. My mom and sister are the types of people who will keep any and all books they’ve ever purchased or been gifted or found on the side of the road. Not me though. Usually, I read a book once and then donate it. With the exception of the Twilight Saga and a few others that I wore out reading over and over!
You’re probably wondering how many ways can a book really be “repurposed.” Well, once I covered the hardcover books with a neutral linen-blend fabric, I placed a few on bookshelves, under candles, vases, picture frames, and plants. The neutral color goes perfect with my home decor and the books are still there if I ever get the itch to go back and reread them…it’s just going to take some investigating to figure out which is which!
Materials Needed for DIY Fabric Covered Books:
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
- Hardcover books
- Fabric color of your choice
- White acrylic paint
- Iron
Directions:
- Paint the spine of the book with white paint if you have a dark-colored book. Feel free to also paint the cover and back if you think they might be visible. The fabric you use may not cover the dark spine.
- Lay the fabric out and placing the book over top. Cut around the book, leaving about 3-4” on the sides and 2” on the top and bottom.
- Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles.
- Place the book back on top of the fabric. Fold the fabric on the sides over and glue the fabric to the inside cover but don’t pull it so tight the fabric rips when you open and close it.
- Do the same for the top and bottom. I folded the edges down on the corner to make a cleaner look.
- Make two small cuts the same width of the spine all the way to the edge of the book.
- Cut off excess fabric so that you can fold just a small amount over the spine. Secure fabric with just a bit of glue.
- Your newly covered books are done and ready to be styled.
Did you like my tutorial? If so, save and pin DIY Fabric Covered Books.
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Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!
When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
To flatten the palm leaf, place it inside a folded piece of paper and insert it into a book. Close the book and place it under something heavy for at least 24 hours.