Scripture Cover

I made up this scripture cover a couple weeks ago so I could teach my church girls how to make them. I've had requests from friends on my pattern and how-to.  So I'm posting this tutorial in hopes it helps any of you (I apologize that all photos are with my phone - terrible quality but it had to do).  I sew a lot so if I'm not super explanatory for beginners, I apologize!

Also, I didn't take step-by-step pics of the one above - but of one that got started at our "sewing night".  

In my original one above (chevron), I used two fabrics - the main cover and then one for the inside and straps. This polka dot one (below) only used one fabric.

You will need from the main fabric a piece 14"x8.5"

The lining fabric you need a 14"x8.5" plus two pieces that are 8.5"x5" (sleeves)

Two strap pieces 12"x2.5"

Stretch elastic (this is what they use for headbands and hair ties - found on a spool at Hobby Lobby) 8" long

Two pieces of ribbon 12" each

 

You will hem one long raw edge on each "sleeve" piece (the 8.5"x5" pieces - top right in pic). These straps were already made before I started pictures.  I ironed in the two raw edges of the straps - overlapping each other.  Then sewed on the ribbon to hide the exposed raw edge. Make sure you sew both edges of the ribbon and not down just the center. Then stitch the straps and elastic to the side edges of the main fabric (like above). I just eyeball it but you can measure to be precise on placement.

 

 Then you will place the sleeves on top of the main fabric - sandwiching in the straps and elastic like above. Make sure sleeve fabric is nice-side down like below.

 Then you'll place the lining piece (14"x8.5") on top of all that above. Making sure that the lining is also nice-side down like below.

 Pin all around to keep everything in it's place.

  On the bottom edge, I made small marks about 4" apart - you will NOT sew between those marks - that's how we'll turn it all right side out.

Once sewn with a 1/2" seam, you will then clip your four corners to help with fabric excess when turned right side out.

 Carefully turn it all right side out through the opening on the bottom. Your seams all around will be puffy (below) - you will now want to press them so they are nice and crisp!

  There are a couple ways to close the bottom opening. You can stitch it (I didn't choose to do this since there will not be top-stitching around the whole cover and I don't want to see it on the bottom only).  I used Stitch Witchery - it's basically a strip of dried glue that will melt when ironed.

I just cut a piece the length of the opening and sandwich it in there - then iron well and voila! It's stuck together :)

 Now I've made a little mark that is half way down the cover and 1.5" in from the edge - this is where the button will be hand-sewn.  You want to make sure you do NOT sew through the sleeve piece on the inside of the cover - keep your hand there to make sure you're not going through.

  I love these cute square bling buttons - found them also at Hobby Lobby in the sewing notions - on $2 for six of them!

 Slide your scripture covers into the sleeves and....

 ...you have the cutest scripture cover ever!!

 My church girls were given six fabric and four ribbon choices that they could mix up. Here are a couple other ones - so cute!

As a side note - on my original chevron one, I put a pencil/pen holder down the spine of the lining. I cut a piece that was 8"x2" - hemmed the top edge, folded in the sides and bottom, and then stitched closely around them. 

Hope this helps - any questions, leave me a comment and I'll try to help :)

Enjoy and create!! ~Jenny