Book Cover/Tote Combo!

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• 

  Step 1

  Getting Ready!

  Measure out your book, according to this pattern guide, and choose your fabric! I ended up using one fabric (Fabric 1) for the outside pattern piece (A), another (Fabric 2) for the inside piece (B), and yet another (Fabric 3) for the rest of the pattern pieces (C, D, and F).

  I HIGHLY recommend starting this with slightly stretchy fabric for Pieces A and B, fabric that has some give. We don't want to ruin our books by cover-bending, trying to get is into the Cover Tote!

• Step 2

  First Step! *(see last step before continuing)

  What you're going to do first is put Pattern Pieces A and B together, right-side-in. Sew along the outside, leaving a 1 1/2 inch gap on the middle of the right side. Flip inside out; tuck in the edges of the opening and sew shut, sewing he entire right side over, top to bottom.

  (This next mini-step is optional, but it makes it easier to hide the seam... You can also do this by simply bordering the entire piece and sewing over the right side and the opening, as described below):

  Take your ribbon--or possibly colorful Bias Tape--and fold it evenly, half over the edges of the now-joined pieces A and B (we will refer to them as piece AB from now on) on each side. Sew in place, going around the whole piece once again.

• Step 3

  Second Step!

  Now, take Pattern Pieces C and D, and fold the edges of all four side underneath (just enough so that you will be able to sew it down with about a 1/4 inch seam, on top of piece AB, in the next steps). Iron the edges, so they don't unfold as you sew.

• 

  Step 4

  Third Step!

  Now, for the straps! Take Pattern Piece F, whatever length you decide on, and whatever width you feel you'd like. You should have 4 pieces, 2 of which being reversed. Put the first two strap pieces (one regular, one reversed) and lay them on top of each other, right sides facing inwards. Sew along the edges, leaving one end open. Flip inside out, the good side of the fabric facing outwards. Repeat with the remaining two strap pieces (F).

  Optional: Add adjusters for the straps in you'd like, the type shown in the picture (or a different kind, whatever you want. This is your project!).

• Step 5

  Fourth Step!

  Alright, now for the fun part! This could possibly be tricky, so bare with me, I'm not the best at explaining things XD

  There is more than one way to do this. I will explain two ways, and if you don't like them, I'm sure you can visualize another that you like better.

  Way 1: Double Strap

  What you can do to help visualize how this works is to place piece AB down flat. Now, place the first end of the first strap 1/4 way down the left side, and then the second end 1/4 up from the bottom of the left side. Repeat with the second strap, only on the right side. The ends of the straps should overlap piece AB by about a 1/3 of an inch to about a 1/2 of an inch.

  Now, place piece C, edges still folded underneath, and place it on top of piece AB AND the strap ends, lining the left edges up so they match with piece AB. You can keep a 1/4 inch border around the edge of it, so piece AB will show slightly on the left edge. Center piece C so the top and bottom are the same distance from the top and bottom of piece AB. Do the same for piece D, but on the right side. There should now be a gap a bit wider than the spine of your intended book between pieces C and D.

  Sew along the top, outer edge, and bottom, but LEAVE THE INNER SIDE OF PIECES C AND D OPEN. That's where the book covers slide in, and are held in place!

• Step 6

  Fourth Step! Part 2!

  Way 2: Single Strap

  **Note! I do NOT recommend this, though it looks nice and is easy to slide onto a shoulder if it's a long strap, UNLESS you make the strap detachable. If you can't take off the strap, or it isn't long enough, opening up that book and reading comfortably can be a bit difficult.

  The other way to do the straps is to simply have a single one. Lay piece AB out flat, and put one end of the strap on top, on the top left side, about 1 1/2 inches down from the top. Put piece C on top, just as in Way 1, previously. Then, take the other end of the strap and put it on top of piece AB, on the bottom right side, about 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom. You can reverse the placement of the end straps if you want.

  As in Way 1, sew along the top, outer edge, and bottom, making sure to LEAVE THE INNER SIDE OPEN. This whole project is pointless if you sew all four sides of pieces C and D. XD

• Step 7

  Fifth, and LAST, Step!

  Now that you've finished sewing, it's time to slide that book inside the Cover and carry it like the awesomeness it is!

  *If you don't want to see the extra outline of pieces C and D on the outside of your Cover to show, sew the straps (F) and pieces C and D onto piece B, and then fold the edges of pieces A and B over backwards (tucking them inwards to sew over so they stay on the inside). Iron to set, and then sew around the outside of pieces A and B, making sure that you catch the folded edge underneath.

  IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE:
  Make sure you make pieces A and B about a 1/2 inch bigger on all sides if you choose to do this, as doing it this way will make the Cover smaller, so it might not fit the intended book anymore.

  Also, for those who want to try a sketch book Cover Tote with a pocket, all you have to do is sew a simple pocket onto Pattern Piece A, on the good side of the fabric, BEFORE continuing with the rest of the steps. You can install a zipper, flap and/or button/snap closure if you wish, and there are tons of tutorials online if you need help with that.

  You can add more pockets in any area you wish, it's as simple as a rectangle of fabric, edges nicely folded underneath and ironed, sewn onto the pattern piece you want it on, BEFORE you start sewing the rest of the project together.

• Step 8

  Creator Note!

  I must warn you that this is all purely thought out, visualized,and the process engineered in my head very carefully, but it has not been tested yet. You may have to modify the steps/patterns for this project so that it works for you. However, I'm sure that it works, and will be easy to modify if it has any issues.

  I will update this with actual pictures very soon, as soon as I get a sewing machine up and running (I would hand-sew it, but it would take me months of time I don't have, because I am a perfectionist and must get every stitch at the perfect length, angle and tightness. XD ).

  I hope very much that you will enjoy this project and find it useful. I'd love to see how yours turn out! :)

  Ima no sayonara, for now! I'll see you all when I have another project to share!

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