How to Sew a Padded Book Sleeve – Free Pattern!

Are you tired of your books getting beat up in your bag? No more! Check out this step-by-step tutorial for making a padded book sleeve.

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There’s something so comforting about taking a book everywhere.

You never know when you’ll have a spare moment to indulge in a few pages—or an urgent need to look busy or unapproachable. (Hello fellow introverts, I see you!)

I have a sizable collection of books and I’m very particular about their treatment. This includes on-the-go. I hate pulling a book out of my bag only to find folded corners or marks on it from a loose pen. My books deserve better… and so do yours!

I’ve wanted a book sleeve for a while, but they’re often on the pricey side. And in this economy, “splurges” like fancy book sleeves often aren’t high on my shopping list. But fear not; if you’re willing to make your own you can assemble a gorgeous book sleeve for under $10.*

One of the many things I love about tackling DIY projects is the customizability. If you want your book sleeve to have a pocket in the front to hold bookmarks, random papers, a pen, etc., you can add it. If you want one big enough for that new hardback you’re eyeing, just add a few inches to the pattern. And if you want one small enough for your favorite mini notebook, just take a few inches off. Need a cute gift for your book-loving bestie? Find a fabric that reminds you of them, or get one custom printed with their favorite bookish quotes. (I don’t order custom fabric often, but when I do, I get it from Spoonflower!)

Now that you’re convinced you should try this project (I mean come on, it’s a book sleeve. It’s cute and practical!), let’s talk specifics.

To download the pattern (for free!), click the button below:

The finished size of this book sleeve is about 7.25” wide by 9.5” tall. It can accommodate a standard-size trade paperback book which, in North America, is 6” wide by 9” tall. However, if you buy trade books that are significantly thicker than most (“Priory of the Orange Tree” readers, I’m looking at you), you’re going to need to amend this pattern a bit.

Amending the Pattern

If you have done the math and this size won’t work for you, you can easily create a pattern that will!

Measure a book that’s the size you need your cover to be. You’ll need the weight, height, and depth.

Suppose your book is 8” wide, 10” high, and 3” deep. Draw out a rectangle that size. Now, divide that “depth” number in half (in this case, 1.5” inches) and add that number to the left, right and bottom of your rectangle.

Now carry your new side lines down and the bottom line across so you have an enclosed shape. For this example, the new dimensions are 11” (W) x 11.5” (H).

Finally, add a 0.25” seam allowance around the rectangle. If you want to add a little extra room so the sleeve can accommodate thicker books, add 0.50″ or even 1″ all the way around instead of the 0.25”.

You will need to adjust the flap/closure piece as well. You can use the one in the pattern that I provided, but add an extra inch or two to the end, to make it longer. (Because your book is thicker, it needs to be longer to properly close up the sleeve!) 

Then proceed with the following tutorial!

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

*You can assemble this book sleeve for under $10 if you already have a snap tool and snaps on hand. You can get a snap tool and snap set for under $20, so if you don’t already have one I highly recommend it. You can use it for so many different projects (like my Coffee Cozy pattern!). I promise you won’t regret it! Click here to check out the tool I use.

To make a padded book sleeve you’ll need:

• The pattern, which you can download here.
• Fabric: 1 fat quarter for your exterior fabric, 1 fat quarter for your lining fabric, and a quarter yard of batting. I’m using quilting cotton, but you could use most other fabrics like linen, canvas, flannel, etc. Note: if you’re making a larger book sleeve than I am, you will need more fabric. If you don’t have a lot of fat quarter options where you are, there are some pretty bundles on Amazon, like this garden themed cotton fabric bundle.
• Cotton Batting: You’ll need 1/4 yard of the batting of your choice. Something like this Plantional natural cotton batting works great.
• Fusible Interfacing: This reinforces the closure strap. I’d recommend something like this white fusible interfacing.
• Snaps and snap attachment tool or a button. I hate sewing buttons and button holes, so snaps are my go-to. This is the snap attachment tool and snaps that I use and I love them. I’ve tried other styles and I like this one best.
• The usual—sewing machine, thread, scissors, etc. (Looking for a new machine? This is the Brother sewing machine that I use.

Making this on a budget? Try these cost-saving tips:

• Fat Quarters: Get them from Dollar Tree! They have tons to choose from and the quality is great despite being a “dollar store” option. I’ve seen the same fat quarters at both Michaels and Dollar Tree, at the same time.
• Batting: I used quilt batting, but if you already have fleece on hand, use that instead! You can also repurpose other fabrics—head to the thrift store and find an old hoodie, or blanket to take the batting from! Have a ratty towel you meant to throw out? You could use that too! The purpose of the batting is to add padding and bulk. It isn’t visible in the final project, so use whatever you can find!
• Fusible Interfacing: Just a tiny amount to reinforce the closure strap. For projects like this, I get mine at Dollar Tree!
• Snaps: Swap out the snaps for a button! You can find buttons at dollar stores, in mixed bags at thrift stores, and even in stores like Walmart.

Crafty Side Hustle/Business Idea:

Start a line of book sleeves made 100% from repurposed fabrics from thrift stores and/or things your friends and family were going to throw away. People love re-purposed products!

And now on to the directions! Let’s make a padded book sleeve!

Padded Book Sleeve Directions

Step 1

Gather your materials. Pre-wash and dry your fabric and iron it so it’s flat. Get your pattern printed (or drawn) and cut out.

Step 2

Cut two exterior pieces, two interior pieces, and two batting pieces for the body of the sleeve and two exterior pieces for the flap along with a small piece of interfacing to give it a bit of strength.

With small pieces like this, I like to trace them out on the fabric but not cut quite along the lines. For me it just makes sewing them a bit easier, but you can do whatever works best for you!

Step 3

I like the quilted look, so I’ve “quilted” my exterior fabric onto the batting. This is achieved by sewing lines across the fabric to attach the batting to the fabric. You can make these lines horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. You can space them out evenly, or make them erratic. I’m sewing mine vertically, spaced one inch apart. I draw out my lines first with a water-soluble marker. (Something like this.)

You don’t have to do this, but you’ll want to attach your batting to your fabric in some way to make it easier to work with. If you don’t want to “quilt” your fabric, use some spray fabric adhesive to attach the batting to the back of the exterior fabric. Or get fusible batting or double-sided fusible interfacing so you can attach the two together.

Step 4

Now pull out your flap/closure pieces. Iron the interfacing onto the back of one of the pieces. Then put the pretty sides together, and sew the sides and along the curve, but leave the top open. Then turn it inside out and press it flat.

Step 5

Time to begin assembling your sleeve! Grab one of the exterior fabric & batting pieces and lay it on the table so the pretty side is facing up. Find the middle of that piece of fabric and place your flap piece there.

Next, lay one of your interior fabrics down on top of it. If it has a “front/back” (mine doesn’t, as it’s just a solid color), make sure to lay the front/pretty side down so you have pretty sides facing.

Pin or clip everything in place! You don’t want that flap piece moving when you sew!

Step 6

Now sew along the top. I’m using a 0.25” seam allowance. Don’t sew the sides or bottom! Open it up and press the seam open.

Step 7

Do the same thing with the other two pieces of fabric. (The second exterior and batting combo and the second interior.) Sew together along the top and then press open

Step 8

We’re nearly done! Take that first set of exterior and interior pieces you sewed together along the top. Lay it down on the table, pretty side facing up. Then put the other set of exterior and interior pieces down on top of it, pretty side down. Make sure you’re lining up exterior fabric with exterior fabric and interior fabric with interior fabric.

Make sure that those seams line up in the middle.

Pin all the way around to keep everything secure while you sew.

Step 9

Now, sew around the fabric leaving a 0.25” seam allowance. Make sure you leave a 1-2” opening at the bottom of the interior fabric; this is where you’ll turn everything right side out. If it helps, mark it or use different pins to indicate where you should stop/start.

When sewing over the seams in the middle, I like to sew over them, back stitch them, and then sew back over them just to make sure everything is secure.

Step 10

Clip your corners. Then trim around the seams a bit to reduce bulk.

Step 11

Turn your assembled book sleeve right side out. Use something with a point (I use plastic chopsticks!) to push all the corners out and then iron everything flat.

Step 12

When you’re satisfied that everything has been pushed out properly, sew the hole you left for turning closed. You can use a sewing machine to go over it quickly, or if you want a more “professional” look, you can take a needle and thread to it and use a ladder stitch so the seam is invisible.

I use my sewing machine and make sure to use a thread that matches the color of the fabric.

Step 13

Now push the sleeve’s lining into the outside of the sleeve.

Iron it flat. Then, if you want, top stitch around the top of the sleeve. I feel like it gives it a more finished look.

Step 14

Finally, attach your snaps or button!

Step 15

Not really a step, because you are officially DONE and the proud owner of a beautiful book sleeve. Gorgeous!

Will you make a padded book sleeve to protect your books on the go?

Obviously, you need to make some for yourself. But these book sleeves also make amazing gifts for teachers, librarians, and honestly anyone who loves to read. Need a gift for the High School grad on their way to college? Make sleeves for their textbooks! Need something fun for a writer who is always carrying a notebook around? Make a notebook-sized sleeve with a pocket in the front for pens and highlighters.

You can make them big enough for coloring books and a pack of crayons to keep kids occupied on a long car ride. Or fill them with snacks, I won’t judge.

If you make one, I want to see it! Use the hashtags #theserialcreative and #booksleeveDIY on Instagram! (And don’t forget to let me know what book you’re reading—I’m always looking for new recommendations!) 

Did you enjoy this post? Check out my archive of other free patterns!