Friday, June 24, 2011

Bible Cover

I saw a Bible cover here but no tutorial so I decided to make my own.  There are no measurements here because every Bible is a different size, even the two I covered.  I will show you how I decided on the size.  So here goes...
I measured the Bible from top to bottom and cut a strip of butcher paper that width plus 1 inch so I would have a 1/2 inch seam at the top and bottom..
 Then I folded in the sides and cut it to fit the book when it was closed.  This became my pattern for the cover.
 I made 2 covers two different ways.  For this one, I folded in the the flaps and cut the cover that size plus 1 inch.
I then cut a piece of fusible batting that is 1/2 inch shorter and narrower than the cover and ironed it on the wrong side of the cover.
I used the flap size to cut the fabric for the 2 flaps and again I cut the fusible batting 1/2 inch shorter and narrower than the flaps and ironed it on.
 I used the batting size to cut another piece of fabric to go over the batting.
Set aside the cover because you have to make the pocket next. This pocket went sideways and I put twistable crayons in it.  I just laid my fabric remnant on the cover to guesstimate width and cut it.  As long as it fits the cover, the size is up to you.  I used a crayon to decide where to fold it and then pressed the folds.
I folded the top flap so it would go under the front so there is only the front of the fabric visible.  I know this is confusing but I'm not sure how to explain all this.  Hope the pictures help.

This is what you should have at this point.
I ironed on some fusible interface to the back to add some stiffness.  Now sew up the sides and turn right side out. Press.


I marked a line in the middle and then measured from there out.  I made the outside pocket a little wider because I will be sewing along the side to attach it to the cover.  I used snaps but I think a loop and button would be better.  It's hard for the girls to snap it shut on top of a crayon.

Now sew the left, right and bottom of the crayon pocket to the front of the cover.  I left the top open and put a small blank book that I made in there.

  Now back to the cover.

On the outside, back you will pin the handles and loop.  I just estimated the length of the handles and cut them the same size.  I used a hair rubber band for my loop.  Now place the inside flap with right sides together over this and seam up this edge being sure to catch the handles and the loop in the seam.  I back stitched over the handles and loop several times to add some security.
It should look like this.  Repeat with the handles on the other side.  I lined them up with the first handles so they would be even.
This is what you now have, pocket is attached and the handles and loop are also attached.
 I put the cover on the Bible and marked where the seams would need to be.
 I pressed the edge under where I had marked.  Then you will sew only one edge at this point with the right sides of the cover and flap together.  Then fit it back on the Bible to make sure you have the other seam marked correctly.  Then you can sew the final seam and turn right side out.  I sewed all the way across the bottom to sew down the edge.  I also iron this edge down using some seam tape so it would stay in position for sewing.  Place the cover on the Bible and mark where you need to add a button for the closure.  I did this last but you can also do this before sewing the flaps, it would probably be easier.
 This shows the pocket for the book.  I made some small blank books out of scrapbooking card stock and duck tape.

And there you go...  With no measurements!  This first one I made was one piece that included the flaps.  I sewed the handles to the outside and the loop to the back.  I made the pocket go lengthwise and put twistable colored pencils in it.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Pattern Weights

I love these!!  I made bunches because I enjoyed making them as much as I enjoy using them.
I started with some 2 inch washers and this time I added some nuts.  Not sure of the size but these were the largest I could find at the big box store.

I glued the washers together in stacks of three.  I only glued 2 nuts together.  I used my glue gun because that was what I was going to use for the ribbon so why not.
Here they are before the ribbon.

I glued the end on the inside edge at a bit of an angle and started wrapping the ribbon around, gluing a spot with each wrap.  It takes a little more than 4 feet of ribbon for the washers.  It takes less than 3 feet for the nuts.  This all depends on the size of the washers or nuts and the size of the hole in the center so you may want to err on the side of too long when you start.  I used a 15 foot roll to start with ( a real pain pulling all that ribbon through the hole) and then measured to see what was left to get an idea of how much I would need.


And there you go.

I did the nuts the same way but didn't like the overlap so I used a ribbon that was the width of the side of the nut and then added a ribbon around the sides for good measure.  The next one of these I cover I am going to try a 1/8 inch ribbon to see how that works.

 Here are some more and even od picture of them in use.  I like to print patterns on card stock and this makes using them so much easier.  Enjoy!