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DIY Decorative Books Are A Cinch to Make

Use your favorite Mod Podge formula to create these DIY decorative books – perfect for unique home decor, and you can customize the colors!

Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted before, you should be able to accomplish this project. You’ll be painting and using Mod Podge and fabric to cover books.

DIY Decorative Books Covered with Fabric Are A Cinch to Make

This week I’m sharing a simple book makeover. I’m sure we all have extra books laying around the house. To be honest I’m kind of obsessed with buying books. I have boxes full of them.

When I started decorating my home with a coastal vibe, I pulled out all my lighter colored books to display. I hated not displaying the darker books but they just didn’t fit my decor. That’s when this home decor DIY was born!

I decided to give some of those darker books a makeover with Fabric Mod Podge. You can use any formula of Mod Podge to complete this project, given that you’re not going to be washing anything. These are just for display.

Note: you will still be able to open your DIY decorative books when the project is complete. You’re simply decoupaging the cover with fabric, not the entire book.

DIY Book Decor

For this COOL project you’re going to need:

Supplies

Getting Started

I headed over to the fabric store for my material. I was really excited when I found a sale going on. Fabric quarters were $1.25 each, perfect size to cover my books. Then I gathered up the rest of my supplies to get started.

If desired, paint the books with primer or white craft paint. This is important if your fabrics are thin. Let dry before proceeding.

Books, Mod Podge, fabric, a brayer, scissors, and a foam brush

Step 1 – Iron Your Fabric

I decided on a couple lighter patterns and a couple “busy” patterns. I ironed the material first so we wouldn’t see any wrinkles. Then I was ready to add my Mod Podge.

Stack of fabric fat quarters with one spread out

Step 2 – Add Your Mod Podge

Cover one side of the book with the Mod Podge then gently place your fabric on top. I used a roller to help get any bubbles out. Then I did the same on the other side, letting it dry just a moment. I love that this stuff dries super fast.

Once you’ve covered both sides, let dry for about 15 – 20 minutes.

Adding Mod Podge to a book cover and then smoothing the fabric on top

Step 3 – Cut Your Slits

Now it’s time to cut two slits on each side of the spine. Then I tucked the piece of fabric into the spine of the book. It’s fit perfectly!

Cutting slits in the fabric with scissors to fit the spine of the book

Step 4 – Mod Podge Down the Inside

To finish off this craft, add a little Mod Podge to the inside of the book. Fold the sides over and firmly press down.

Then fold over the rest of the material (like a present) and Mod Podge into place.

Folding the fabric onto the inside of the book cover and Mod Podging down

Finishing Touches

If you’re going to stack the books, I *highly* recommend brushing them with a polycrylic sealer so that they don’t stick together. Let dry overnight before stacking.

My DIY decorative books are complete!! I had all four books done in no time.

DIY decorative book

Since I already had the Mod Podge on hand, I just had to spend a couple dollars on some fabric to get this craft done. Pretty cool!

stacked books decor diy

These books are going to look great sitting on my nightstand in the bedroom!!

diy book decor with fabric and Mod Podge

I can’t believe how cool these DIY decorative books turned out. The only tip I would suggest is getting a little thicker material then I did if you’re not going to paint. This is why I altered the instructions to include paint!

On one of the lighter covered books you could see the lettering through the material. But besides that it worked perfectly. I plan on doing several more of these for my entertainment center next!

Yield: 2 books

DIY Decorative Books

Use a special Mod Podge formula to create these fabric covered books - perfect for unique home decor, and you can customize the colors!

Learn how decorate book covers with fabric and Mod Podge. This handmade idea will look great with your decor.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Active Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $2

Materials

  • Books
  • Spray primer or white craft paint
  • Mod Podge
  • Fabric

Tools

  • Foam brush
  • Scissors
  • Mod Podge brayer
  • Iron

Instructions

  1. If desired, paint the books with primer or white craft paint. This is important if your fabrics are thin. Let dry before proceeding.
  2. Iron your fabric so that it's flat and trim to be just larger than the book and the cover while open.
  3. Cover one side of the book with the Mod Podge then gently place the fabric on top and smooth. Repeat on the spine and other side. Let dry.
  4. Cut two slits on each side of the spine. Tuck the piece of fabric into the spine of the book. Add a little Mod Podge. Let dry.
  5. Open the front flap of the book. Trim the fabric down, fold like a present, and Mod Podge down to secure. Let dry with the flap open.
  6. Repeat the same thing on the back cover. Let dry with the flap open.
  7. Give the entire book a coat of Mod Podge and let dry. If desired, add a finishing coat of polycrylic and let dry.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


I hope you loved this craft you can make at home. If you’d like to get more craft project ideas and inspiration, be sure to visit these ideas:

Patti

Saturday 22nd of July 2023

Thanks for the instructions! I didn't see anything about measuring - how much needed on all four sides without wasting material? - or cutting - how to cut straight or prevent fraying?

Amy

Wednesday 2nd of August 2023

Hi Patti! I would say leave an inch on all sides to fold over! As you can see, Courtney left more for some of her folds, but I would say 1" min. If you cut the fabric and go ahead and apply it, you shouldn't have any trouble fraying, and the Mod Podge will prevent fraying also. For cutting straight, I use a straightedge and a rotary tool. That is the easiest way to cut straight. But only if you are particular! You can eyeball it with just regular scissors also :)

Ruth Fahlbusch

Tuesday 21st of July 2015

Do you have to use Fabric mod podge or can you use glass mod podge. What else can I use my glass mod podge for:? My son bought it by mistake.

Amy

Tuesday 21st of July 2015

Do you mean the Gloss Mod Podge? You can definitely use that on the books!

Lisa Berney

Thursday 16th of July 2015

Great idea on covering books to add some color to a room. Currently, I am covering and selling both hard and soft back notebooks with material and mod podge! On the front I glue a ribbon using the mod podge, but make the ribbon long enough to use as a marker!! Theses can be used as journals, prayer journals, planners, etc...

Sandy

Thursday 16th of July 2015

Why ruin the books? Why not Modpodge paper bag book covers, like we were taught to make to protect school books? That way, you can change them more easily when your decor changes again.

Emily

Sunday 12th of July 2015

Great project! I once used fabric Mod Podge to attach quilting-weight fabric to a mouse pad and had some trouble with the glue coming through the fabric. Did this happen to you? Do you have any tips? Thanks!

Amy

Sunday 12th of July 2015

Hi Emily! I typically prep the fabric first with Mod Podge . . . then I Mod Podge it down and let it dry completely. Even if the glue comes through the fabric, you can wipe it away. If you see that it's darker in the area that it dried, just cover the entire thing and then use a spray sealer to cover.

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