this and that: Quiet Book Cover Tutorial

Materials Needed: 2 11x23 inch pieces of fabric for front and inside (don't have to be same pattern)

1 5x28 inch piece of fabric for strap

1 9x9 inch piece of fabric for inside pocket

1 11x23 inch piece of batting

1 button

sewing machine

thread

scissors or rotary cutter and mat

Step 1: Cut pieces of fabric to dimensions stated above.

Step 2: Take 5x28 piece of fabric for strap and fold right sides together (hot dog style). Sew together leaving an opening for turning right side out. Make sure you don't sew along fold.

Step 3: Turn right side out and press. Fold under raw edges of opening and iron down well.

Step 4: Take 11x23 inch piece of fabric for the front and center strap on it. Make sure you pin one edge of the strap 1/2 inch in from side edge (that extra piece of fabric is needed for another seam).

The strap on the other side should run off the end. Mark with a pin 1/2 inch in like you did on the other side of strap.

Measure all along the strap to see if centered on the front piece. Mine measured about 4 1/2 inches up from the bottom. I just slid my ruler across the strap to make sure it was consistent.

Step 5: Sew strap onto front piece by starting on side with excess strap. **make sure you start 1/2 inch in**. Sew all the way around the strap stopping at the same side you started at. **again stopping at the 1/2 inch mark**

Step 6: Take 9x9 inch piece of fabric for the pocket and press a 1/2 inch fold towards wrong side of fabric on each side.

Step 7: Stitch along side that you want to be the top of the pocket.

Step 8: Place pocket on the the 11x23 inch piece of fabric designated for the inside of the cover. Place it on the right side of inside piece and pin.

Step 9: Sew around pocket starting at top right. **Make sure you don't sew top part of fabric. We don't want the pocket sewn shut!

Step 10: Pin excess part of strap onto strap that is already sewn on.

Step 11: Now place front and inside pieces right sides together with pocket and side with excess strap on same side. Place batting on top of that.

Step 12: Even pieces up and pin all round. Double pin an area 6 inches apart designating it as your opening. Start sewing at one end of opening and sew all around book ending at the other end of the double pined marking. Turn book inside out and press, make sure you fold raw edges of opening in and press well.

Step 13: Sew around book one more time sewing opening closed. When you come to the part with excess strap, lift the strap up and sew underneath it.

Step 14: Once you have sewn all the way around the book stitch a border around the rest of the excess part of the strip connecting the previous stitches.