Fabric Covered Altered Book
Today I’m sharing an altered book I created late last year. What’s different about this book is its fabric cover. Here’s how I made it:
- I started with a children’s book (a Golden one I believe), opened it up flat and measured the height and width of the covers and spine.
- I cut one piece of muslin that was 1/2″ larger all the way around than the entire book.
- Onto this muslin base, I machine stitched strips of vintage linens and lace, found fabrics in cotton, silk and velvet, and hand dyed fabrics.
- Onto these strips, I added hand embroidery, buttons and beads.
- I attached a piece of thin copier paper to the back with heat activated fusible webbing (I used Steam-A-Seam).
- Using bookbinding PVA, I attached the paper backed fabric to the book cover allowing the fabric to hang over the edges a little.
Here’s the front cover:
And here’s the back cover. 
I’ll share the inner pages in another blog post soon. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below.
February 6, 2019 @ 2:23 pm
Ali, I think fabric cover is lovely. I’ve never thought of using a Golden book . I’mlooking forward to see what you do with inside pages. As I have been patchworking for a number of years I have plenty of scraps I’ve been unable to part with. Thank you.
February 12, 2019 @ 8:07 am
Hi Merilyn, isn’t hard to part with those scraps?
February 6, 2019 @ 5:06 pm
Very pretty Ali! Thank you for all you share to the group. I have been praying for your friend, her children, and you!
February 12, 2019 @ 8:06 am
Than you so much Anne!
February 8, 2019 @ 6:09 am
So sad about your friend – my thoughts & prayers are with you & her family.
Your altered book cover is fab. Unfortunately I don’t know what a Golden book is?
Also , do you post papers to the UK?
Love what you do.
February 12, 2019 @ 8:06 am
Hi Andrea, a Golden book is a brand of kids’ hard cover book. The UK alternative might be a Ladybird book (slightly different size) but same concept.
February 8, 2019 @ 10:13 am
So sad to hear about your friend Ali. How wonderful that you were able to be with her. My thoughts and prayers for you and her family. I LOVE this cover. How fun with all the lace and embroidery. I’ve put this idea down as a must do one day. Thank you
February 12, 2019 @ 8:05 am
Thank you Olga!
February 25, 2019 @ 9:27 pm
Stunning. But you know I love your work.