This simple project allows you to sew a custom faux leather cover for any book or journal. The cover is fully removable and not only decorates your bookshelf, but also to protects your journal!

Supplies

Faux Leather

Journal or Book you wish to cover

Ruler

Pen

Painters Tape

Scissors

Embroidery Floss

Needle

Step 1: Measure and Cut Leather

Lay your book or journal on your faux leather to find the size you need to cut your leather. Measure not only the circumference of your journal, but also allow for the inside flaps. You will need the full circumference and add one extra measurement of the width of your journal. This way you will have flaps on each inside cover that go half way to the spine. I did this just with rough estimates, you do not need to be too precise. For the top length, add about a centimeter of seam allowance on the top and bottom.

Step 2: Cover Book and Sew Cover Details

Wrap your faux leather around your journal leaving the small edge at top and bottom. If you want to sew some details or initials to the front cover, block out where you want your design to be with some painters tape. Remove the leather from the book and use your embroidery floss and needle to make any design you wish. I went for simple stars. Remove the tape to re-use next step.

Step 3: Option 1: Fold and Tape

Wrap your leather around your journal once again leaving a small edge around the top and bottom and making the side flaps even. Use your painters tape to secure the flaps to the inside front and back cover. Starting at the corner, sew a whip stich across the top of the book so you have a tight fit. A whip stitch is simply going from one side to the other while looping over the top. When you reach the other side, knot and tuck the excess into the inside flap so it doesn't show. Repeat for the bottom and remove the tape.

Step 4: Option 2: Measure and Sew

Option 2: Measure out your flaps on each side to fit your book, tape down to keep it in place and sew. Starting at the corner, sew across the top and bottom to secure your two edges together. I used a simple whip stitch going from one side, over the top, and back through the front. Be sure to maintain your seam allowance at the top and bottom so your journal can fit back in. Tuck any strings inside the flap.

I preferred option 1 as I knew for certain the journal would fit, but if you have a heavier book or journal, it might be better to measure and sew the item off the book it's not too awkward or heavy to hold. Option 1 allowed me to get a tight fit close to the cover and allowed me not worry about keeping my measurements precise.

Step 5: Finished!

To get your cover on or off, simple fold back the covers of your journal and ease the leather up or down. It may take a little wiggling. Your customized faux leather cover is all done!