Don’t you just hate it when you pull out your book on the plane, only to find some corners got bent? I whipped up a nifty little DIY just before my trip to Europe because I couldn’t leave my books behind. Grab your main fabric, lining fabric, some fluffy stuffing (I used repurposed pillow filling), and colorful ribbons for this project.
No Need to Pattern Draft
Take a letter-sized paper (A4 works too) and place it on top of your main fabric. Cut the main fabric piece to match the height of the paper and triple its width (25.5 in x 11 in), and round the corners. Do the same for the lining. For the side tie, cut 2 pieces of ribbons approximately 30 in each. I used 1/2 inch seam allowance for this project.
The Process
Align the main fabric with the lining fabric with the right sides together. Place the ribbons between the layers on the right side, centering them. Sew around the edges, leaving a small opening unstitched. After sewing, trim the excess fabric from the edges. Turn the fabric right side out, then press it flat. Topstitch around the edges, except for the small opening you left unstitched.
Use an erasable fabric marker to draw your designs (easier when it’s still flat); then, insert stuffing until it’s fluffy enough. After that, close up the small opening you left unstitched in the previous step and top stitch. Sew over your drawn designs. Tip: use short stitches if your designs have a lot of curves. Use a fray check to seal the ribbon edges. And you’re done!
You can also check out a mini video tutorial on my TikTok here.
Protect your Books and More
The soft pillow padding will keep your books cozy and safe on the go! Its wide dimensions and long side ties let you wrap up books of all shapes and sizes – maybe even a whole stack! Plus, it’s not just for books; I’ve found it’s perfect for protecting delicate items like camera lenses too! This DIY also makes a fantastic handmade gift idea for your fellow bookworm and travel-lover friends!
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