I have a love for books! And I have way too many! Today’s post is all about using unwanted books to create fabulous, permanent, burlap covered books! These books are so upscale and work wonderfully to enhance everyday decor! Books can now look uniform and neat and very very chic! Once you cover a book or two you will be hooked! It does get quite addictive. I’m now covering books I use… because after making a couple of these burlappy books, I can cover them without messing up the book itself! Let’s get crafty and create burlap book covers!
Burlap covered books literally litter my home! I use them as risers in vignettes and as a neutral, textural background for my decor. If burlap is not your “thing” try linen or other decorator fabric that works with your decor.
Just think how incredible you books could look!!! Let’s get started!
1. SUPPLIES:
- BURLAP- cut 2 inches longer than the book on all sides
- BOOK
- MOD PODGE
- SISSORS
- FOAM ROLLER OR FOAM BRUSH
2. Pour a tiny, small pool of Mod Podge (not too much… you can always add more) onto the cover of a book. Cover the book with Mod Podge using a foam roller or brush.
3. Put the Mod Podged side of the book down on the burlap making sure there is 2 inches of extra burlap on all sides of the book. Press firmly.
Mod Podge the spine of the book and the back side of the book cover using # 2 instructions . Fold the burlap over the book pressing firmly. The outside of the book is now covered with burlap.
4. I use a small fan to dry the Mod Podge faster. This is optional but really cut down on drying time.
5. Cut two slits in the excess burlap on either side of the book’s spine
6. Cut the burlap on the diagonal at the points of each book corner as shown above.
7. Roll Mod Podge along the inside edges of the book cover, about the width of the excess burlap.
8. Fold the burlap over the top and bottom edges of the book, as shown (#1 and 2), and press the burlap to adhere to the inside of the book. I used clothespins to hold the burlap down until everything dries enough to stick together. You can turn the book over to work on the other cover if you use clothespins.
Fold the burlap over the remaining edge of the book, as shown (#3) and adhere it to the inside of the book, following directions #8.
9. The spine tail of burlap should be sticking out.
10. Widen the opening of the spine by inserting a dinner knife into it.
11. Use the dinner knife to push the burlap tail down into the hole in the spine. Brush Mod Podge down into the hole and tame any stray burlap threads with Mod Podge.
12. Dry completely and decorate!!!!
Here are a few of tips to help:
- books that are all one color work best. If the hard cover of the book is colorful it will show through most burlaps. You might want to paint the book first then cover it.
- If the title on the spine of the book is colorful or metallic and you don’t want it to show through Mod Podge an additional strip of burlap to the spine before covering the whole book with burlap
- i like the look of gold lettering on the spine showing through burlap on my books. Give it a try! Sorta classy!
- Burlap responds very well to Mod Podge. If there are any stray burlap threads, glue them with Mod Podge and clothespin them down until they stick to the book on their own.
- You can adhere the book’s end paper to the cover with Mod Podge to hide the raw ends of the burlap
- there are so many decorative burlap patterns to choose from… get creative!
Remember to pin this to your DIY or Decor Pinterest boards. Follow me on Pinterest by clicking HERE
Paula commented
July 12, 2018 at 5:09 pmDoes this ruin the book cover? That you so much for adding some class and sunshine into my life.
StoneGable commented
July 16, 2018 at 11:27 amTHANKS Paula!!! The book covers are glued so the burlap cannot be removed but the books can still be read.
Jean commented
June 2, 2018 at 8:55 pmI can’t wait to try this burlap project. Where do you purchase the different types and designs of burlap? Very nice look. Jean
monica commented
May 28, 2018 at 9:10 amGracias por esta genial idea!!! Ya mismo salgo a comprar arpillera! Espero que queden tan lindos como los tuyos. kisses from Argentina!!
Maggie D. commented
March 27, 2017 at 12:04 pmYvonne, I’ve been looking for a quick project that uses burlap and fell in love with these covered books as well as your No Sew Burlap Covered Balls. Thank you another great tutorial!
StoneGable commented
March 29, 2017 at 9:52 amBoth of those projects are quite addictive!
Bonnie commented
March 23, 2017 at 6:12 pmThank you for sharing the tutorial on covering books with burlap.
Dorinda Selke commented
March 21, 2017 at 4:22 pmLove this DIY project Yvonne -can’t wait to try it !! Hugs, Dorinda
Julie B. commented
March 20, 2017 at 1:01 pmThanks, Yvonne. This was a great ‘refresher’ tutorial for me. I used this method for a guestbook for a rustic wedding that I coordinated. It’s fun to add classic/rustic embellishments, too. 🙂 I’m going to incorporate some into my decor, as you suggest!
Sherry commented
March 18, 2017 at 7:13 pmLove the look. I plan to try some very soon!
Terry commented
March 18, 2017 at 4:42 pmI’ve always admired your burlap-covered book collection, Yvonne! I’ll give it a try soon.
Joanne commented
March 18, 2017 at 4:34 pmI use books around my home, as well. I have a collection if old books that I bought at auction. I pick the spine colors and/or title of books needed for a particular display from my stash. I prefer to not cover them but have the interesting titles show.
Avril Crundwell commented
March 18, 2017 at 3:34 pmThanks for the burlap book cover DIY. Very helpful.
Harriet commented
March 18, 2017 at 3:30 pmFun idea to try out!
Maggie Nelson commented
March 18, 2017 at 3:27 pmActually is easier than I though so I will try a couple of them. Thank you!!
Carol B commented
March 18, 2017 at 3:24 pmI like the idea of burlap covered books. It does add an element of sophistication to any decor. Another thing I’ll have to try!
Linda commented
March 18, 2017 at 3:07 pmThats pretty and easy to do !
Kim commented
March 18, 2017 at 3:05 pmWhat a great idea. I love the vignette you created for post picture. That clock is awesome and the shutters and the….oh well..everything! I wish i had that talent. .
Robin Talley commented
March 18, 2017 at 2:30 pmI love the burlap covers, it gives me sooo many ideas too on other covers!! Thank you Yvonne! I LOVE it
pamela commented
March 18, 2017 at 2:03 pmLove they idea of covering books, but before i tackle that ,I ‘m going to redo the bottom of a tray. 🙂
Pam Cates commented
March 18, 2017 at 1:53 pmLOVE the green pillows with the flowered ones. Where did you get the flowered pillows?
Karen commented
March 18, 2017 at 1:39 pmOh my! You made covering a book sound so easy!!! I love the idea and hope to try it!
Karen K Markham commented
March 18, 2017 at 1:26 pmLove the memories your tutorial brings back. Your ideas are again brilliant! Thanks.
StoneGable commented
March 18, 2017 at 2:34 pmKaren, I’m so glad you are enjoying them.
Karen Cadden commented
March 18, 2017 at 12:21 pmI covered books with burlap for my daughters wedding last year-as per your instructions. We had a different vignette on each of the tables at the reception, and the books added a lot of charm!
Carol Elkins commented
March 18, 2017 at 12:11 pmLove this! I just happen to have a large bag of books that I was getting rid of and now I’m going to take a few and cover them in burlap! Great timing! Thanks!
mary commented
March 18, 2017 at 12:03 pmThis is the closest I’ve come to ALMOST getting the cover your books trend…only you! Thanks for sharing.
Pamela commented
March 18, 2017 at 11:29 amLOVE burlap…great idea..maybe I will add some stenciled numbers to the edges…
StoneGable commented
March 18, 2017 at 12:20 pmPamela, I love that idea!
Kathy commented
March 18, 2017 at 11:22 amA great idea!
Linda T. commented
March 18, 2017 at 11:19 amWhat a neat idea. I remember doing this with brown paper bags for my school books.
Doreen commented
March 18, 2017 at 11:08 amI love the burlap.I think all of us covered books in
brown paper bags,I also have used wall paper.Another
easy project.
Dana commented
March 18, 2017 at 10:30 amHi Yvonne, I love books too and use them for décor pieces often. I am sad when the covers of books are messed up, but this is a great way to “fix” them and make them pretty again to use in our home as display items. Great tutorial on using burlap, or really any fabric or even nice paper to cover up the icky parts and make a useful pretty thing. Thanks so much for your inspirational blog; please keep those great ideas coming!
Kathy Davis commented
March 18, 2017 at 10:15 amThis was such a great idea. I went to our local charity shop and bought some books for $.50 each. I plan to cover them with burlap and use them for decor in my husbands office. Thank you for a great idea that can work in a masculine space too.
Linda commented
March 18, 2017 at 9:19 amThanks for sharing. You always have the best ideas. Enjoy the weekend.
Linda commented
March 18, 2017 at 9:16 amGreat detailed tutorial! The books look great and add such texture
michele commented
March 18, 2017 at 9:08 amI also covered my school books with brown paper and agree that burlap is so much nicer!
Di@Cottage-wishes commented
March 18, 2017 at 8:39 amGreat tip on the Burlap Books, they look great!! Di
Marsha commented
March 18, 2017 at 8:38 amAnother thank you for another great tutorial.
Phyl commented
March 18, 2017 at 7:57 amI have burlap covered books in my home and just love them. Your tutorial is very helpful.
Connie R.Eller commented
March 18, 2017 at 7:52 amWhat a great idea. Thank you…
Anne Marie commented
March 18, 2017 at 7:41 amThanks for the great tutorial – love the burlap covered books.
Karen R commented
March 18, 2017 at 6:41 amLove the burlap covered books. As a child we used to have to cover our school books in plain brown paper to protect them so this brings back memories. The burlap is much nicer than the brown paper 🙂