Alright, fellow bookworms, this one has been a long time coming. The whole reason behind making the first two book tutorials (here and here) was so that this gloriously nerdy book clutch could happen. And honestly? The finished result is beyond what was imagined. Carrying a library card has never looked so good.
Want to make one of your own? Here’s exactly how to do it.
What You’ll Need
- A book
- Matte Mod Podge
- Fabric
- Needle and thread
- A clasp
- Wax paper
- A wooden paint stirrer
- Wood glue
- Epoxy glue (J.B. Weld works great)
Quick note: Make sure the book you choose is large enough to fit everything you want to carry around. Think along the lines of your phone, keys, lip gloss and so on.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cover the Book in Fabric
Start by covering the outside of your book with fabric using the DIY Fabric Covered Book Tutorial.
Step 2: Hollow Out the Book
Follow the DIY Book Safe Tutorial to carve out the inside of the book. One important thing to note: hold off on gluing the pages together for now. That part comes a little later.
Step 3: Line the Inside Covers
Cut a piece of fabric to fit each inner cover of the book and secure it in place using Mod Podge. Do both sides. The interior deserves to look just as polished as the outside!
Step 4: Prepare the Pages for Gluing
Before sealing the pages together with Mod Podge, tuck wax paper into three sections of the book to protect certain pages from being glued:
- One piece goes right in the center of the book. This section will become the opening of the clutch.
- The other two pieces go at each end of the book, leaving around 10 pages loose on each side. These free pages are needed later for sewing in the fabric inserts.
Step 5: Seal the Pages Together
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge along the page edges in the two sections between the wax paper. Make sure to get the edges inside the hollowed out section too. Several thin coats work much better than one thick one. Stack some heavy books on top while each coat dries.
When finished, the outer 10 pages on each side and the center section should all still be unglued. Your book should look something like this:
Using a needle, poke through the loose outer pages on each side. These holes are where the fabric inserts will be stitched in.
Step 6: Create the Fabric Insert Pattern
Open the book to the position you want it to sit when in use, then trace the basic outline of that shape. From there, add roughly an inch of extra allowance on both sides. The allowance at the bottom should be a quarter inch longer than the width of the hollowed out section inside the book.
Step 7: Mirror the Pattern
Take the shape from Step 6 and create a mirror image of it as shown below. It’s worth testing the pattern on a paper towel first to check that it fits the dimensions of your book correctly before cutting into your fabric.
Step 8: Cut and Fold the Fabric
Cut out two fabric pieces using your pattern, then fold each one in half.
Step 9: Sew the Bottom Edge
With the wrong side of the fabric facing outward, stitch along the bottom edge to close it up.
Step 10: Flip and Press
Turn the fabric right side out, then run an iron along the center to create a clean crease. This will help the insert fold neatly once it’s inside the book.
Step 11: Stitch the Inserts Into the Book
Using the holes made earlier, stitch each fabric insert into the loose pages on each side of the book. The narrowest section of the insert should sit closest to the spine, and the crease should face inward toward the book.
Step 12: Glue the Remaining Pages
Once both inserts are sewn in, use Mod Podge to seal those last few loose pages on each side to the rest of the book. Then do the same with the book cover. Keep the wax paper in the center opening throughout this step to make sure it does not get sealed shut.
Step 13: Attach the Clasp
To finish things off, attach the clasp to the front of the book. First, cut a section of the paint stirrer to create small wooden risers and secure them to the book using wood glue. These raise the clasp so it sits just over the edge of the book. Then use the epoxy glue to fix the clasp firmly onto the risers. Keep that wax paper in place during this step to make absolutely sure the opening stays free.
And that is all there is to it! Tuck in your phone, keys and library card and you are all set to go.
So, are you ready to pull off the nerdy chic look?
Want to take your personal style even further? Pair this book clutch with a gorgeous gray hair look achieved right at home using Wella products. Find out exactly how to do it over at Colour Warehouse. Two creative projects, one seriously distinctive look.