How to make a book cover

1. Materials & tools

Materials (paperback size)

• Fabric (cotton, linen or laminate) — about 40 × 25 cm (16 × 10 in)
• Optional: lightweight interfacing for body

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Book cover” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter your book height, width (one side) and thickness. Presets cover common book sizes.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cut line and seam line onto the wrong side of the fabric. The dashed lines mark the flap folds.
2. Cut
   Cut 1 piece. The width includes both covers plus the spine and the fold-in flaps.
3. Finish the edges
   Zigzag the left and right (flap) edges so they don't fray.

4. Sewing

4-1. Hem the flap edges

1. Fold the left and right short edges under and topstitch a narrow hem (these become the open edges of the flaps).

4-2. Form the flaps

1. With the fabric right side up, fold the left and right ends inward along the flap fold lines to form pockets, right sides together.
2. Pin the folded flaps in place.

4-3. Sew top and bottom

1. Sew the top and bottom edges straight across (catching the folded flaps in the seams).
2. Turn right side out through one of the flap openings and push the corners out. Press.
3. Slip the book's front and back covers into the side pockets.

5. Tips & variations

• Add a bookmark: catch a ribbon in the top seam at the spine.
• Stiffer cover: fuse a light interfacing so the cover holds its shape.
• Any size: enter the exact book thickness so the cover fits snugly.