How to Make a Book Purse

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Here's a novel purse that is perfect for the bibliophile in your life!

Make this purse out of an old (preferably cheap and unloved) book. It's sure to be aconversation starter wherever you take it and you'll get to recycle a discarded book in theprocess.

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1 Obtain a largish hardcover book. Used book stores, library book sales, and thriftstores are good places to find a tome that will suit this purpose.

Look for something with an attractive cover in a color that suits your (or yourrecipient's) style. Some old books are bound with leather (or a lookalike) andembossed.Look around for textbooks, mismatched/outdated encyclopedias, Reader's DigestCondensed Books or anything that you think will be worth more for its cover thanits contents.

2 Cut the pages away from the cover. You can use scissors or a craft knife. Openthe cover and cut along the gutter (crease) line.

If you like, hangonto the pages orpart of them foruse in a collage orother papercrafts. Text, evenif it's nothing inparticular, canlend character tocraft projects, andthings like oldencyclopediascan be greatsources ofimages andinspiration. You can also cut out text to glue onto the cover of the book- the nameof the person, etc.

Empty cover, ready to become a purse.

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Trace the book cover onto some firm pressed cardboard. Heavy mailingenvelopes work fine.

Cut your tracing out. Cut slightly INSIDE your tracing lines so that you get acardboard rectangle that is just slightly smaller than your book cover(s).

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Cut the spine section away.

Check to see that the cardboard cutouts fit the covers of the book, and that theiredges fit slightly INSIDE the edges of the book covers.

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Cut a piece of pressed cardboard slightly smaller than the size of the book spine.This will support and reinforce the bottom of your new purse.

Launder your fabric.

Iron the fabric smooth. You may starch the fabric to make it stiffer and easier touse if you like.

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Use your cardboard rectangles as a template to cut your cloth. Lay thecardboard on the cloth and cut around it, leaving an inch or so in every direction.

Repeat for the spine cardboard piece.

Cut the ends of your purse.

Fold a quarter yard (23cm) of fabric into quarters (fold once along a vertical

centered fold line, then once along a horizontal fold line).You should end up with a rectangular shape, with folds ontwo adjacent edges and four layers of material.

Measure and mark the following:

One spine width from the corner where the two folded edges meet, along theedge with two folds. This measurement is shown by the red line in theprevious diagram.One book cover width from the corner where the folded edges meet, downeither of the longest sides. This measurement is shown by the blue line in theprevious diagram.A diagonal line from the end of the first measurement to the end of the secondmeasurement.

Cut the triangles from the markings you made.

You should now have two triangles thatmeasure as follows:

A = twice the spine width.

B = the length of the short side (width) of thebook cover.

C = the distance that you want your bookpurse to open up.

Repeat the process to make two more triangles with these dimensions, making fora total of four triangles.

Blue line is the folded edge. The red line is a foldededge that should be cut to separate the triangle(s)from each other.

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Trim the top of the fabric to one quarter inch (or so) longer than the width ofthe cover. (see photo for pointers)

Sew the long sides of each pair of triangles. Right sides together.

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Turn and press the seam.

Top stitch.

Fold the bottom, narrow edge of your triangle in half to form a dart at thebottom.

18 By hand or by machine, begin your stitch slightly less than halfway from fold toedge. Stitch up the fold at least an inch. This will help your purse to close

cleanly without the fabric bunching outward.

19 Cover the two large cardboard rectangles with fabric, gluing the edges to theback side. You may glue the fabric to the front side if you wish as well.

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Place the narrow, darted edge of the triangle(s) onto the inside, spine ends ofthe book cover. Be certain that the dart lies to the inside of the cover. Glue into

place.

Lay one of the thin strips of cardboard on the back side of its fabric.

22 Wrap the short ends of the fabric over the short ends of the spine cover. Glueinto place.

Steps

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Glue the long, raw edges of the triangles to the top and bottom edges of thebook cover to form the sides of your purse.

Make two loops of bias tape, one to hold the button/bead closure and one forthe button to slide through.

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Place the bias tape loops in the center of the openings and glue them carefullyto the edges.

String beads on the bias tape or similar for your handle.

Measure carefully and glue them into place.

28 Glue your covered rectangles to the inside of each book cover, covering all rawedges.

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Press bottom corners to the inside of purse and glue them into place.

Your new purse is ready to dazzle and amaze!

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Hot glue works well because of its minimal drying time. You can use craft glue, butyou will need to clamp each section into place and allow it to dry before proceeding tothe next step.

Helpful?

Make sure that the hot glue gun is "completely" warm before applying. If not, it willresult in untidy lumps throughout fabric.

Helpful?

It works well to Make a Hollow Book and attach the handle.

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Know a good tip? Add it.

Tips

It is possible that the bibliophile in your life would be offended at a notion of re-purposing a book rather than reading it. At the least, choose an old volume with noparticular value.

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Warnings

Take care when handling scissors, craft knives and hot glue guns.

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A large, old book that no one wants

Craft knife or utility knife

Scissors

Iron

Sewing machine

Hot glue or similar (and hot glue gun)

Fabric to match the book.

Pen or pencil

Straightedge (optional)

Things You'll Need

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