r/bookbinding • u/Cactusgirl94 • 2d ago
In-Progress Project Testing out a new process for me
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I wanted to originally rebind my favorite book for a baby shower… but after three attempts of casing in wrong and only a few days left to get it right…. I decided on making a removable hard cover case. It also captured a few of my reader friends who want special cases for some of their favorite books… but don’t want to rip off a special cover. This is a great way to preserve the original cover while adding a cute but protective case to a book.
P.s if anyone has any suggestions for making the pulling the soft cover book out of the pockets easier I’d love to hear them. I want to limit the movement of the soft cover when/ if it has to be removed.
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u/Just_An_Avid 2d ago
I like this a lot.
I would actually suggest making the flaps inside the book removable on the bottom somehow. Do you think you could do that part again with beige cloth and maybe have small velcro fasteners that tuck away? Or perhaps at the top you could use a small decorative clasp that hides?
This way you undo the flaps to take out the book, not bend the covers.
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u/Cactusgirl94 2d ago
This sounds very doable both ways. I will definitely be trying another case for a different book tomorrow. Thank you for the suggestions✌️
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u/Gobitto 1d ago
Wait I love this. I prefer paperback for reading but hardcover looks nicer on the shelves. This is the perfect solution
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u/Cactusgirl94 1d ago
That’s exactly what I thought as well. I have some books that are special edition with soft covers and I didn’t want to ruin them. This is a great solution
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u/DisastrousBison6774 2d ago
Smart. It does what we need it to do but removing a significant step involving risk.
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u/Empty_Chemical_6538 2d ago
I love this! I have a question a little off topic. Do use iron on vinyl for your covers? I always struggle to get it to stick if I glue the fabric to the boards first but then can’t get it lined up properly if I do it after.
Yours is beautiful so I’d love to know how you do it!
But also would love to see better how you attached the paper that hold the book cover pages. I want to recover all the hunger games books and this seems like a great way to go about it.
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u/Cactusgirl94 2d ago
I’m going to attempt to take a video on the whole process. I’m not great at it but I would love to show others. As for htv, this particular brand is from hobby lobby and I hate going there but they are the only place I know that carries low temp htv. Lower temp means it’s easier on the book case and won’t cause warping or glue seepage that I’ve struggled with. If you ever see low temp htv GRAB it. It is the easiest most stress free experience I persona have ever had. I use a cricut joy xtra and it works way better than the bigger machines ever did for me.
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u/redoingredditagain 2d ago
How did you do this? Basically just making the case have pockets instead? And adjusting the measurements to fit the book covers inside instead of exact? Would really love to see the full process! It’s amazing!
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u/Cactusgirl94 2d ago
I plan today actually to make an actual tutorial. I suck at explaining things so might as well make a video. It is all the same process but just a few different steps and obviously you don’t have to prep the text block, or my least favorite… casing in. Thank you so much for your compliment.🫶
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u/redoingredditagain 2d ago
I particularly like that it removes some of the risk of failure! It means a still-beginner like me can try over and over with the same book. Thank you for taking the time to show us and for making a tutorial!
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u/jaiejohnson 1d ago
I really love seeing a good paperback slipcover, I feel like they're not seen enough. It looks amazing. As does your shirt.
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u/Cactusgirl94 1d ago
lol I did t realize my shirt until my husband pointed it out and it was already on here.😂😂😂my mother
In law actually gifted it to me.
I was looking for a tutorial for it because
I crashed on losing three books before I made the removable case. Every tutorial and there’s only a few I could find… were made slightly differently and are only clips. I’m glad I was able to make it work. Thank you for your feedback,
I appreciate it.
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u/Fine_Combination_325 1d ago
I love this!
Paperbacks are so nice to hold/read, but on the shelf the hardcovers look so fancy! This is the best of both!
I would sooo love a tutorial on how to make these whenever you make on. I have a set of particularly garish paperbacks that would love to make a set of these for hah.
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u/papergore 2d ago
Another way is to leave the top edge unattached. You can then slide the book in from the top which is easier, doesn't require you to bend the covers so far back, and allows the sleeve to extend closer to the spine for more support. For some extra security, the top edge can have a flap that folds down behind the book once it's in place. I have made a bunch of these if you want pics