Tutorial -- Quilted Bible Cover

Before we get started - today's my birthday! I'm 32 years young, and I bought my own present! Any guesses?? Don't think to hard :)

This is what we are making to celebrate my day!

Simple and easily personalized for anyone on your gift list, but don't forget to make one for yourself too! To start gather your materials -


I used two fat quarters and a bit of white for the lining, (you could use a third fat quarter) batting and interfacing. For notions you will need your pins, cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, iron/ironing board, and a fresh needle in the sewing machine.


Get everything cut in the beginning then it goes together pretty quickly.
From your exterior fabric cut - 12 x 18" 2 - 4 x 14" 1 - 1.5 x 18"
Interior fabric cut - 2 - 11.25 x 10" 2 - 6.5 x 3.5"
Lining fabric cut - 11.25 x 17"
Batting cut - 12 x 18"
Interfacing cut - 11 x 16.5" 2 - 4 x 14"

Math Interlude:
My Bible measures 14 3/4" (full width of cover) by 9 5/8". This is a common size, but not the only size Bible - please take a few minutes to measure your closed Bible before getting started. If your Bible is a different size pull out the calculator :)

For example --
12.5 x 8"
multiply 12.5 by 1.2 = 15
multiply 8 by 1.2 = 9.6 I would probably go with 9.5

I came up with the 1.2 after crunching numbers to add seam allowance and room for bulk, I wanted to know that my crunching was similar for the width and height. If you are altering the measurements please note that I cut the exterior piece larger than needed and trimmed it down after quilting.

Back to the fun stuff! Time to quilt your exterior piece, however you desire! This one has been diagonally quilted in one inch intervals

I used my ruler with a 45 degree line to mark my piece.

After quilting trim the exterior piece to 11.25 x 17"


Handles and ties--
Add interfacing to your handles, 4 x 14" pieces, then fold it in half and iron a crease.

Open the fold and iron both sides into the center,

keep your center crease sharp while pressing the sides in.


Use the same method to make the tie.


Back to the machine to topstitch -


The completed handles -


And ties -

I treated the ties as one until now, cut them in half for two, and on one end of each finish the raw edge. I zig-zagged over the edge, like so.


The pen pocket --

Sew around three of the four sides, leaving the bottom open to turn it right side out, stitch 1/4" seam.

Clip your corners

Turn it right side out, and press.

I like to use a knitting needle to help press the seams out.

To add it to the cover, prep your interior pockets.

Be sure to keep your height at 11.25" and press a nice crease.
Pin your pocket an inch away from the fold

Topstitch it in place.


Pulling it all together --
Add the interfacing to your lining piece. Time to start building! Set your lining, right side up on a flat surface,

Add the interior pockets.

Add the ties at the center, and pin.

Add the handles, 5" apart is a good number for this size cover. Pin the handles in place, carefully keeping them straight.

Now lay your quilted exterior piece, right side down, and pin in place.

Mark an opening, about 6" in between the pockets. Sew with 1/2" seam, reinforcing at beginning and end. Go slowly over the handles.

Clip your corners, and any extra bulk if possible.

Begin to turn it right side out - you need to take your time as it unfolds.

Use a handle to get it started.

Once right side out, begin to press the seams into place. (I actually tried it on here real quick first!) Also use a few pins from the outside to keep the layers in place while topstitching.

Topstitch all the way around the cover, this will close the opening you left to turn it right side out earlier.


I think that's everything! There are lots of little steps, but not too complicated, I hope it all makes sense to you! If not - PLEASE let me know! I want to fix it :)

Add your Bible and enjoy your new cover!
Amy

PS - I have a pdf of this tutorial available here!


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