Book Cover v2.0 (duct tape!)

Ever since I found this post last year about doing a duct tape wallet as a Webelos Craftsman project, duct tape has been a favorite medium, especially when it comes to Cub Scout things. We have several rolls of colored and patterned duct tape now (we buy them whenever we see them on sale; we also found some at the dollar store), which came in handy when we made "recycle regatta" boats. It was also one of the best things I brought with me to Wood Badge (I should have brought the Ductigami book with me too).

Inspired by another project in Ductigami, here are instructions for making a book cover for a scout book. I used a Webelos book, because I think this would also make a good Craftsman project, as well as passing off the book cover requirement for either the Art pin or the Reading and Writing pin (you could even make coordinating bookmarks from duct tape; then they could pass it off for BOTH pins). I am sure Boy Scouts would enjoy the project just as much.

Creating a duct tape sheet is the basis of most duct tape projects. For my book cover, I used a measuring tape to measure around the whole cover (front back and spine) of the book, then added 6" (3" for each flap). For a larger book, you may want to add as much as 8". The height of the sheet is just a little taller than the book. For my Webelos book, this came out to 18"x8".

Cut several pieces of duct tape a little longer than your sheet needs to be (so you have some extra to trim off at the ends - my strips were 19"). Lay one of those strips face up on your surface (a clean cutting board is a good place). Lay another piece face-down, overlapping the first about halfway.:

Now carefully fold down the exposed half of the first piece. This gives you your top edge:

Pull up what you have so far and flip it over.

Add another piece, again this will be face-down and will overlap the facing-up exposed portion.

Continue to "grow" your piece in this way, by pulling up the piece and flipping, then adding a new piece, until your sheet is a little taller than your book. Fold over the last bit of sticky on the bottom to create a nice edge, just like you did on the top. Trim your sides down to size.

Now wrap your sheet around the book to see where the folds will be.

Remove the book, and fold pieces of tape over the ends of each flap, trimming as needed.

When all four corners are taped up, your cover is ready!

You can add a pocket - or more - for holding a Faith in God book, Duty to God book, pen, merit badge cards, whatever you think would be handy. All you need to do is create another sheet the size you want your pocket to be (mine was 4"x5"):

And tape it onto the book cover:

Tutorial: Book Cover

 Handbooks get rough treatment. Faith in God books get lost. Here is a fairly simple cover you can make for you son's handbook that includes a handy pocket for his Faith in God book. (I don't know the measurements for the Duty to God book, but I am sure a clever mama - or sewist dad - could accommodate it.)

You'll need:

26" x 8 3/4" piece outer fabric. I used an all-weather canvas, because I was lucky to find it in the remnant bin. A heavy-duty canvas is great for protecting books, but be warned it will require a heavy duty needle (14 or 16). A fabric that doesn't fray much is best for this project, because we are not going to bother hemming any edges.

14" x 8 3/4" piece of fabric for lining and 6" x 8 3/4" piece for pocket. You can use pretty much any scraps you have on hand here. I used a typical quilting cotton.

1 1/2 yards 1" grosgrain ribbon

4" strip velcro

Fold pocket piece in half, right sides together. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew along one side. Clip corner. Turn right-side-out and press.

Line unfinished edges of pocket with unfinished edges of canvas on right side of canvas. Baste 1/4" from edge. Sew finished edge as close to the edge as you can.

On the other end (still the right side) center the soft (loop) side of the velcro about 3 1/2" from the end and sew on.

Turn the canvas over to the wrong side. You will attach the lining to the end with the velcro. I used quilt basting spray to attach it temporarily. If you prefer pins, double-stick tape or basting with the machine, do that.

You're going to finish the short ends now with some ribbon. I have learned the best way to do this is with a zig-zag stitch so that you can be sure to catch both sides. Fold the ribbon in half over the end, like binding, and zig-zag on. Make sure to tie the ends of your zig-zag. Trim the ends of the ribbon and use Fray Check or other fray-preventing liquid.

Fold velcro end over, leaving about 1/4" between velcro and fold (velcro should still be on the outside, not folded under). Baste this new pocket down on both ends.

Fold the other end in so that the total width of the cover is now about 15". Baste this down as well.

Finish the top and bottom with ribbon in the same way as above.

 

Center the hook side of the velcro about 3/8" from the end on the side with the pocket and sew on.

You're all finished. Now you just need to add the books. This was sized for the Webelos book, so it will be a bit loose on the smaller books, but it will still work for them. Slip the front cover in first, then slide the back cover into the pocket on back.

(This project was inspired by a post I saw a while back about making a personal progress book holder with your girls.)