The cover needs to be 1/4 inch (0. 6 cm) wider and ½ inch (1. 25 cm) longer than the inside pages. If you are using printer paper, it should be 8 ¾" x 11 ½" (22. 2 x 31 cm).
1/4" (0. 6 cm) is an adequate width.
Once they are flattened, sew the stacks together using the same formation.
Place the book between sheets of wax paper and underneath a heavy book or two. Wait for the glue to dry. Allow it 20 minutes or so.
Again, place the book between pieces of wax paper and underneath the heavy books. Wait to dry.
Cut the paper so the spine is covered but so there is no paper directly above or below it. You should now have four flaps — two above the book and two below. Fold these flaps down and glue them to the inside cover.
Cut the paper so the spine is covered but so there is no paper directly above or below it. You should now have four flaps — two above the book and two below. Fold these flaps down and glue them to the inside cover.
After all of it is dry, decorate it however you want!
Blank paper (30-100 sheets, depending on your book’s thickness) 2 sheets of cardboard 2 sheets of pretty paper (2 types) Ribbon - a few feet long, 6 mm (1/4") wide Hole-punch Glue stick Scissors Ruler Bull clips
Draw two vertical lines on one of the cardboard pieces. 1" (2. 5 cm) from the left edge, draw the first line from top to bottom. The second line should be just under 1 ½" (3. 5 cm) from the left edge and going parallel to the first one. Do this on the other piece of cardboard as well. These lines are very close to each other. This is to separate the bind from the body of the book, creating a hinge.
A craft knife may be easier than scissors. If you have one, use it.
Place one of your fancy pieces of paper face-down. You should be staring at a blank canvas. With a pencil, draw a ¾" (2 cm) border in all the way around the sheet.
This will be the back cover. The ½" (1. 25 cm) gap in the cardboard that you cut out previously will be the “hinge” that makes the book open and open easily. Apply the glue to the paper if you’re using wrapping paper (or other thin, pretty paper). This prevents wrinkling and swelling and gives the paper time to get used to the moisture in the glue before application on the cardboard. Repeat for the front cover. Make sure the pattern is facing the right direction!
Once the corners are folded, start on the sides. Folding the corners first creates a geometrical, stream-lined fold. Sort of looks like gift-wrapping. Do this for both sides and glue everything in place. There should still be a ½" gap between the two pieces of cardboard.
If you don’t have a hole punch (and preferably a single hole punch), you can use a drill. But before you drill a hole into the table, place it onto something you’re comfortable drilling into, like a phone book. If you do use a drill, place the covers inside out so that the rough edges are on the inside. Use bull clips to hold everything together.
Place it down through the top hole. Leave a length on the right for a bow. Place the same end down through the same hole again. Thread the same end down through the bottom hole. Thread the same end down through the bottom hole again. Wrap it underneath and down through the bottom hole once more. Pull the same end through the top hole. (A criss-cross pattern forms along the spine. ) Wrap it over the top of the book and tie with the other end in a knot. It should sit on top of the hole. Tie in a bow.
