Sew a lined book sleeve that closes with a button and elastic — three sizes included

LIBBY keeps a book safe in a bag: no bent covers, no scuffed corners, no dog-eared pages. It's fully lined, it closes with a loop of elastic over a button, and it has a curved, topstitched front pocket.

Three separate template sets are included, so you can make one to fit whatever you're reading:

  • Large — for hardbacks
  • Small — for paperbacks
  • Annual — for annuals and larger format books

What you'll learn

  • Sewing and clipping a curved pocket edge so it presses flat
  • Tacking the pocket in place so it's caught neatly into the side seams
  • Positioning the button and stitching in an elastic loop to match
  • Applying optional iron-on fusible fleece to pad and stiffen the sleeve
  • Bagging out the lining through a 10cm gap and closing it invisibly

What you'll need (for each sleeve)

Four fat quarters of medium cotton or polycotton — one for the main sleeve front and back, one for the lining, one for the pocket front, and one for the pocket lining. Plus a button and 6mm wide elastic. Iron-on fusible fleece interfacing is optional, but it's what gives the sleeve its padding. Seam allowance is 6mm (¼") throughout.

Skill level

Beginner. Full-colour step-by-step photographs, our trademark 'Easy to Follow Instructions', and full-size reusable A4 templates for all three sizes — no enlarging required. A free video tutorial is available on our YouTube channel.

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