Fabric Journal: Lesson 5

 Preparing the Cover

The purpose of the cover is to provide protection for the pages of the book and to provide an idea as to the contents within. To that end, you need to consider several things:

1. The materials you are going to use to make the cover
2. The dimensions of the cover
3. The closure for the cover
4. The decoration on the cover
5. The binding style you plan to use

Material

This will be your choice.  My cover was made from a thick felt but you can make your cover from fabric of your choice.  As long as you feel it is thick enough to provide some protection for your book it will be suitable.  It can be several layers of fused fabric, fabric with interfacing, a thick fabric, a quilted fabric,-- there are suggestions in your handout.

Dimensions

The following video demonstrates how to measure your pages to determine the dimensions for your cover.

Calculating Dimensions for your Cover

There are also instructions in your handout.

Measuring for My Cover

This video demonstrates the measuring required for the cover of my new fabric journal and the resulting cover piece.

Closures

Another way to protect your pages is by having a closure on your journal. This keeps your cover securely fastened around your pages. 

The following video shows different examples of book closures.

Closure Options

Decorations on the Cover

Just as you decorated your pages, you should plan on decorating your cover. When planning your decoration placement, keep it away from the area where your closure is going to be (unless your closure is part of the decoration) and from the spine area of the cover. You are going to be sewing the pages through the spine so you don't want to place anything in that area that will make sewing difficult.

The next step is binding the journal.

Extras

For my Shabby Chic fabric journal I decided to use a textured fabric and line it with a cotton canvas. My cover was going to have a flap with a strap and buckle closure.  I contemplated raw versus clean edges. The following video shows the measurements necessary to complete my cover and the finished product.

Shabby Chic Journal Cover