A Cultivated Nest

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DIY Fabric Covered Books As Part of Your Decor

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About 3 years ago I painted and stamped some books to use on my fireplace mantel and I also covered books with scrapbook paper and wrapping paper  (you can see the tutorial here). This time I looked in my fabric stash (cause I’ve got to use that fabric for something) and covered a few books with some fun fabric  to use on my end table to give my painted obelisk some height.

 DIY fabric covered books

I love using  books as part of my decor.  Especially covered books. They’re a great way to add a pop of pattern/color or texture (if you do something plain like burlap). Some times I just spray paint them the color I need. Of course, it should go without saying, that these are books that you are not planning on reading or that are damaged.

fabric covered books on end table

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Covering old books in fabric, paint or paper is a great way to get them to coordinate with your decor! I used some toile & ticking fabric on mine to go with the toile & gingham patterns that I use in that room (and all the red transferware I have).

Basically, all you have to do is to lay your book spine side down on your fabric, open it up and cut your  fabric about an inch or so larger than the book on all four sides. Then put some hot glue down the outside edge of the book and fold your fabric in. You can also use mod podge or spray adhesive. There are a number of ways to do this.   Here’s a detailed tutorial with photos that you can follow.

fabric covered books used in a display on an end table

I just think they’re a fun, easy and  inexpensive way to to add some pop to a room! So go get some old books you have lying around that are in bad shape or that you don’t want to read anymore and cover them!

 

Comments

    • Manuela says

      Hi Mary,

      Thank you!

      I cut the fabric at the spine to make a little tab which I dabbed with a bit of mod podge and then stood the book upright and pushed the tab into the space that’s created at the spine when you stand it upright. I tried different methods, on one book I totally removed the “innards”, covered the cover with my fabric and then glued the first and last pages of the book onto the covered hard cover. There are lots of tutorials online about how to cover books with fabric if you want more step by step instructions.

  2. Rose H says

    Hi Manuela
    This post brings back memories from school when we used to cover our books, the pile for marking on the teachers desk showed the whole classes family wallpaper taste!
    Rose H
    x

  3. The Dibb Cribb says

    (formerly Kelley Highway)

    Hi, Manuela! I love to do this, too.

    I also noticed your eyelet-topped “pot.” I saw Fifi’s like it that she can hang. It was from Ikea, I think. Cute!

    Happy week,
    Kelley

  4. Glenda says

    And they look perfect with the obelisk sitting on them – nice job!
    Enjoy your evening.

  8. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    These look great, Manuela! The fabrics work so well in this room, too. I’ve done the painting of books and the scrapbook paper, but not fabric ~ yet. : ) It’s a good idea for those small pieces I just can’t bring myself to throw out.

  16. Cynthia says

    These books are outstanding, I just love the toile with the ticking stripe. The cup next to it is a perfect touch.

    Cynthia

  18. Brenda@Coffeeteabooksandme says

    Love that idea! I have a few really old copies of books I want to keep but they don’t look particularly good. This would be great for those books.

    Although anything fun and creative like that will have to come after my lawn and garden work. We’re just now getting into that window of time where work must be done or the weeds will take over everything.

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