Cover stationery with fabric and wallpaper

Transform notebooks and box files with fabric and wallpaper – glue the materials in place or make removable jackets.

You will need

● notebooks and files
● wallpaper and fabric
● pencil or tailor’s chalk
● ruler
● scissors
● PVA glue and brush
● double-sided tape

To make

1 Lay a book out, in an open position, on a piece of fabric and draw around the edges, marking where the spine is, too.

2 Use a ruler to create another set of lines, about 3cm larger than the book shape on all sides, and cut this shape out.

3 Wrap the material around the book, snipping four narrow V-shapes, one on either side of the spine, at both the top and bottom, where you marked.

4 Lay the fabric out, right-side facing down, on a protected worktop. Paint a thin coat of PVA glue to the outer surfaces of the book, then line up the spine with the four V-shaped snips and press the front and back covers down onto the material. Smooth in place from the middle outwards to remove creases and bubbles, and close the book to make sure the fabric sits neatly. Trim the leftover tab of material at the top and bottom of the spine, or tuck it inside the binding.

5 Fold the overhanging flaps of fabric onto the insides of the book covers and secure in place with another layer of PVA or narrow strip of double-sided tape. Snip off excess fabric at the corners for a smarter finish. Again, make sure the book still opens and closes, and then prop it open to dry, taking care that the pages do not stick to the glue. Wallpaper works equally well for this project, and box files and folders can be covered in a similar fashion.

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