Book Sleeves

This project has been on my to-do list for a while. I've been trying to bring a book with me everywhere I go lately just so I have something to do where I'm not staring at my phone most of the day. These book sleeves are nice because they protect your book (or tablet) inside of a bigger bag or tote/purse.

I just made 3 book sleeves today (before I wrote this post) and all of them are different! This is mostly because I wanted to experiment with different styles (and practice using the buttonhole foot on my machine). However, I won't be posting instructions for all three, just the big one with two buttons in the front. If you want to, you can change it slightly to make the other book sleeves. The styles really aren't too different.

Materials:

• Outer fabric

• Inner/lining fabric

• Batting

• Buttons

• Basic sewing supplies (scissors, thread, etc.)

Instructions:

**Seam allowance is 1/2 inch, unless top stitching or closing that last small hole at the end.

Cut out:

• Two pieces of batting (10.5 x 13.5 inches) & (10.5 x 17.5 inches)

• Two pieces of outer fabric (10.5 x 13.5 inches) & (10.5 x 17.5 inches)

• Two pieces of inner fabric (10 x 13 inches) & (10 x 17 inches)

Quilt the outer fabric pieces to the batting pieces of matching size. You can quilt the lines any way you want, I just did simple vertical lines about 2 inches apart from each other.

Trim the quilted pieces to the same size as the inner fabric pieces. It's easiest to use a giant ruler and rotary cutter for this.

Sew the outer pieces together (right sides together, inside out) along the outside edges in a U shape, leaving the top open.

Set aside, then sew the two inner fabric pieces together (again, right sides together), but this time instead of sewing a large U shape around the outside edges, it's more like two L's with gaps in the middle ('L ⅃').

Sew the lining and outer pouches together (right sides facing inward, against each other) at the top opening.

Using the small hole you left at the bottom of your inner lining, flip everything right side out.

Stitch up the small hole and top stitch around the opening hole at the top for a professional look.

Mark where you want your buttons and buttonholes and add them. At this point, your book sleeve should be finished! It can be a little tricky sewing the flap at the top, but it's well worth the effort! Enjoy your finished book sleeve!