Christmas In July - "Stacy Sews and Schools"

Our next guest blogger is Stacy from "Stacy Sews & Schools".  She's the proud mama of five, 5, F.I.V.E. children.... Woooww!  She's my hero.  And, she shares her talents of sewing with step by step instructions on completing the projects, her experiences in homeschool (yes, she homeschools those 5 kiddos), and she's always got a way to make you smile.... Her info on her blog reads, "Sewing, Homeschooling, and Craziness".  I am always swooning over the outfits she makes for her little ones - I've got to learn to do that!!!  Don't miss out on everything she has to share - these book covers would be WONDERFUL Christmas gifts, and they seem so simple to make... but explore her site, some, too!  There are so many different things you could make!!  Visit her at  

http://stacysewsandschools.wordpress.com/ ..   Thanks so much for joining in, Stacy!  OH!  I almost forgot!  You're also the lucky winner of 100 free Shutterfly prints!  Thanks for being a guest blogger this week!  I'm so honored to have you!!
((hugs))

Heather

I am very proud to be a part of Stringtown Home's Christmas in July! YAY!!!!! For my part I am going to show you how to make a cute book cover for a gift. :) They are very easy to make and you can customize them for your friends and relatives by the different fabrics and embellishments you use.

What you will need -

1/2 yard of main fabric (will make both covers)

1/2 yard of contrast fabric (will make both covers)

Any embellishments that you might want to add

Hot glue gun to add embellishments

Step 1 -

Take out a large book and use it as a guideline when cutting. When you cut leave about 3/4" at the top and bottom for seam allowance. The measurements are about 23" by 11".

Step 2 -

Make sure that your fabric will cover it just right, with the sides going over the cover of the book.

Step 3 -

Use the part you just cut as a pattern to cut your contrast fabric.

Step 4 -

Remove the cat from the fabric and dust off the cat fur.... SIGH.....

Step 5 -

Pin your main fabric to your contrast fabric, right sides together. Then sew the seam on 3 sides, leaving one end open.

LOL! You can see my messy pin cushion! I always end up with tangled threads in it!

Step 6 -

Turn right side out and press.

Step 7 -

Fold in the ends that you left open about a 1/4" and press.

Step 8 -

Top stitch along the top of the entire cover.

Step 9 -

Cut 2 pieces of your contrast fabric 10" long by 6" wide.

Step 10-

Fold over the side edges 1" and press. Fold down the middle and press. Top stitch down both sides.

Step 11-

Place your handles where you want them and pin, making sure NOT to pin the flap that is tucked inside the book.

Step 12-

Stitch your handle end on with it facing down toward where the spine of the book would be. Do that to all 4 ends.

Step 13 -

Fold the handle end over the part you just stitched and top-stitch it into place. Do that to all 4 ends.

Step 14-

Fold over the ends of the book cover and press. Pin in place and stitch just down the sides.

Press.

ALL DONE!!!! :)

Hmmm... Looks like my handles are a little off.. I'll have to fix that....

To make the small book covers you follow the exact same steps. The fabric cuts will be smaller and you won't add the handles. ;)

So, what do you think?? Would they make good presents?

As always, let me know if the tutorial was easy to follow or not. And I am always happy to answer any questions! :)

Thanks!

And thank you to Heather!! This was so much FUN!! :) This was my first ever guest slot! :)