delia creates

accessories, sewing, tutorial ·

Scripture Cover

I know I made this same tutorial last year but I improved it a bit by adding a button and elastic fastener to keep it together better. It is one of the first tutorials I created so it’s is pretty dear to my heart. It is a simple…

Not a case necessarily…

Just a cover with handles to make it easier to tote around.

And, I think it’s pretty. 🙂

I used an LDS quadruple combination but you can use this for any size book, bible, etc. I give the measurements I use but also some instructions on how to adjust it to the book you want to use.

Let’s get started.

Materials:

About 1/2 yard of canvas material
1/4 yard of cotton {or similar} liner fabric

4 inches of 1/4 inch wide elastic or a hair elastic

1 inch button
scissors and rotary cutter
iron
sewing machine
contrasting or matching thread
pins!

1. Cut your fabric.

Main cover piece: 8 1/2 inches by 15 inches
I cut 1 liner piece and two canvas pieces. The second canvas piece is really just for more body and thickness. You could use interfacing instead if you would like.
Side Pockets: 4 1/4 by 8 1/2 inches. 
They will become the sleeves that you slide the cover of the book into.
Strap pieces: canvas piece 2 1/2 inches wide by 46 inches long
liner piece: about 1 1/2 inch wide by 46 inches long

This is flexible. Cut it to the width you want, but I recommend keeping it to 46 inches long so there is enough room for your hands to grab the handles easily.

 ***TO ADJUST to the measurements of a different book:
Measure your scriptures/book by opening it up and laying it flat on the fabric. Then trace the book adding about 1/2 inch all the way around and maybe almost an inch on the short side ends so you can easily tuck in the sides. You may want to keep your book handy as you sew so you can make sure it is fitting well.
2. Prepare your straps and pockets.

Straps:

Iron the sides of the fabric strips inward. I chose to make the gray canvas piece a finished 1 1/4 inch size and then the contrasting liner piece a finished 7/8 inch piece.

Sew wrong sides together so no raw seams show. Then sew the ends with a wide, close together, zig-zag stitch.

Sew the straps into a loop, right sides facing each other. And, unlike me line up your liner fabric a little better! 🙂

I sewed back and forth on the sides to insure strength of the handle. Then I sewed the edges of the seam down on each side.

Now for the pockets:

Zig-zag stitch up one long side for each pocket.

Press in about 1/4 inch with your iron.

Then sew.

3. Prepare the main cover pieces.

Pin the side pockets to the liner piece. You are pinning it more to keep in place than to sew the pockets. You’ll see what I mean in step four….

Pin and sew the strap onto the top main cover piece. Try to make it as even as possible from all sides.

Then sew over the already existing stitches on the strap.

Sew up to about 2 inches from either side of the case.  Make sure to back stitch at the end of each line you sew to ensure sturdiness.

You will also want to sew on the button now as well. I tried the Disney method and zig zag stitched this in {with feed dogs down}. Now I know why she likes this method so much!

4. Bring it all together.

You should now have two pieces.
a. the liner piece with the pockets securely pinned on
b. the top cover piece with the strap and button sewn on

Pin both pieces together along the long sides, right sides together.

Sew along the long sides ONLY.

Pull right side out, removing pins on the pocket liner piece as you go.

Press with iron. You should have something that looks like this.

The only thing that bugs me is the yellow peeking out on the inside of the strap. I moved it up there so it wouldn’t be so obvious on the body of the cover…I haven’t perfected that part yet. Argh.

Anyway…We are almost done!

Cut some elastic to sew into the side opposite the button. I used a hair tie.

I didn’t pin the sides up because this is VERY thick. I simply tucked the raw edges of the fabric in about 1/2 inch per each raw edge and pressed it well with my iron.

Then I sewed up the sides and ALL around the WHOLE cover leaving a pretty narrow/close seam – maybe 1/8 inch? It gives it a nice clean look and makes sure your book will fit snugly.

Oh and…Be sure to not sew the straps again! 🙂

For the elastic, I waited to stick it in until I came to that part and then went back and forth over it a couple of times to be sure it was extra strong.

I also patched up that yellow spot. I still need to figure out a better trick for the handles. But this will do for now.

And that’s it! Put in your book and enjoy!

I like that the liner fabric peeks through a bit in the middle.  And that it looks clean from almost every angle.

And!… that you can just undo the elastic and open right up to where you need to go. No zippers, no hassle.

I made one for Owen last year too. It is still holding up quite nicely.

It’s very “loved” but still doing it’s job.

I hope you are having a wonderful day! Thanks for reading!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Um, since I am one of the five LDS women who didn't start sewing the moment I left the womb, I am terrified to try this. It is darling, I am in love with the colors, and I really need one…I am just scared. My grandma just gave me a sewing machine and I haven't even taken it out of the box yet. But if I ever get brave enough, I think this is at the top of my list. (Or maybe the bottom?

    Reply

  5. Awesome! Thanks for posting this. I was looking at my Bible on the way to church this past Sunday and was thinking about making a cover for it. Its always easier for me to follow a tutorial ;o)

    Reply

  10. This turned out so lovely!! I really want to make one, I just need to find the time. Now I need someone to post a tutorial on how to make your church diaper bag not weigh a billion pounds! HA ha!

    Reply

  11. You're right. That is very pretty. I love the one you made for Owen. I should make one for my daughter to tote her BoM to primary.

    Not to split hairs, but I think what you have pictured is a quadruple combination. I'm trying to figure out what I would do with mine, because I have a triple combination and separate bible. The books would probably slide against each other in that

    Reply

  14. This is really pretty and useful! I'm definitely going to be making myself one! I was thinking that maybe if you ironed your straps and then sewed the gray ends together – creating a loop and then sewed the yellow ends together before top stitching them, you wouldn't have the raw edges showing anywhere in your strap! If it were me – I would probably sew the gray one in a loop and then

    Reply

  17. This is really nice. I don't have a bible to cover, but might make one of these for my day planner. They get so boring, I could make several to change things up.

    Reply

  18. I came via U create and really wanted to make these for my daughters (who both just received new scriptures for their baptism) but I discovered that they have the ones that clip shut. So it cant be slip cover style 🙁 I just wanted some handles as they are finding the quad kinda heavy to carry.

    Reply

  28. I do love this cool,awesome and creative work!!Thank u so much,you've been so kind 4 sharing it with us…Even being a sewing-clumsy as I am,I feel I can do it…;)Great work. Greetings from Spain.

    Reply

  32. Ok, so I am adding myself to the list of people who featured your scripture tutorial. I absolutely love it and can't wait to make one for myself. Thanks for such great instructions and sharing with all:)

    Reply

  36. This caught my eye months ago and have been dying to try it! Recently got a sewing machine for a gift and am really excited to try it! I even posted my excitement and a photo of your scripture cover on my blog : ) (with a link back to your blog of course)

    Reply

  39. I, too, made this scripture cover and I didn't have a single meltdown. That is a rarity I tell you. Thank you thank you thank you! Maybe having such a pretty cover will encourage me to read more? I love it!

    Reply

  41. I just made two of these for my primary kids so they can take their BoMs to church with them. They both turned out very cute, and the kids are so excited about them! Thanks for the great tutorial.

    Reply

  42. What a great tutorial and stunning cover! I will make one for my Qur'an as my first sewing (machine) project during the summer before I head back to the business of Nursing School! Thank you!

    Reply

  43. I did it with two strips instead of one. My measurements were different from yours and I don't remember what they were, but I just measured from the center of the spine, across the front, and then 5 inches, and doubled that. I made two of those, then sewed them together at each end. Then I placed the seams directly over the center of the spine. I suppose you could also do it with just one

    Reply

  44. Great idea! Suggestion for that little patch on the handle, sew a label there with "made by" or maybe the name of the person who you are giving it to.

    Reply

  45. This is so beautiful! I've never been much of a sewer, but this just made itself the top of my to do list to try! Thanks for the motivation and the great project!

    Reply

  47. I just made 2 of these for my Brother and Sister's 10th Birthday gifts. They turned out great and your instructions were very easy to follow. Thank you sooo much! 🙂

    Reply

  50. Great Tutorial! I made a cover years ago for my daughter out of a pair of Silver Tab Jeans. She got so many compliments. I cut a square of fabric out around the button and used the button hole from the waist band for my closure. It gave it a more rustic look, but she loved it.

    Reply

  51. Thanks so much for the tutorial! I just made this for my first day if seminary tomorrow! I did gray, with a yellow paisley, and black lace handles! My pinterest addict sem teacher will love me for sure. 🙂

    Reply

  52. I just made this last night for my daughter who is turning 8 this Sunday. Hopefully her new Quad will be delivered in time. I tried the cover on my own quad and it fit perfectly. Thank you so much for such a great tutorial!

    Reply

    • Christa. I wish I could tell you I was selling but I am not currently selling any of my sewn items. 🙁 Do you have a sewing friend? You could put this on your wish list for Christmas? 😉

      Reply

  54. I can not sew. So I have a wonderful friend make a cover for me. She did a great job. Thanks for sharing this tutorial.

    Reply

  56. Thank you very. Much for this tutorial . I have made one of them but more to carry a reading book for a present for a 10 year old who loves to read lots of books for her birthday . She was complaining her books were getting damaged. So thought this was a good idea to make her and she loves it! So thank you.

    Reply

  57. I made this from your tutorial! Worked perfectly! Soo cute! Wish I could upload a pic :-/ oh well!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  59. I did it! Great tutorial. I didn’t do the closure and I added two ribbon bookmarks. Made three in one day! Feel like I’m going to die, but now I have two for presents and one for me!

    Reply

  60. Love this cover. It’s just what I’ve been looking for to keep my Bible in. I have some friends who are Mormon & have been talking about wanting new Quads & a carry case for them. I would love to get these scriptures for them & make them a carry case like this as gifts. But I don’t know the name of the Quad or where to buy them. Could you help me by giving me the name of them & where to buy them. I would be very grateful & my friends would be very happy. Thank you for your help & for a super tutorial.

    Reply

  62. Can’t wait to make this for my Bible. I think I will also sew in some ribbons at the top near where the spine will go, as I’m always needing more ribbon bookmarks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.