Instructions

Piecing the Quilted Layers Together

1. Sew the two quilt top fabric pieces together. Press the seam allowance toward the smaller fabric section (this section will become the lower part of the finished cover).
2. Fold under 1⁄2" (1.3 cm) on each side edge for a hem. Stitch 3⁄8" (9.5 mm) from each fold.
3. Fold the quilt top in half so the side edges meet. Mark the center along the fold.
4. Stack the quilt top, right side down; the batting, centered; and the muslin backing, centered over the batting. Baste with safety pins.

Quilting the Layers

5. Adjust the sewing machine for free-motion quilting. Thread the needle with 40-weight embroidery thread to match the fabric. Fill the bobbin with 60-weight thread. Stitch a different design on each of the two fabrics on the quilt top; for example, stitch diamonds with crosshatching, a diagonal wood-grain pattern, or a vine design.

Painting & Texturing the Fabric

6. Place two drops of yellow, two drops of red, and four to six drops of fuchsia paint on the plastic plate. Mix the fuchsia and red paints together, and dilute the mixture with water until it is very thin. Likewise, dilute the yellow paint with water.
7. Place the white cotton fabric on the plastic sheet. Spray the fabric with water until damp. Brush the red/fuchsia paint mixture on the fabric to paint it a very pale pink color. Brush the yellow paint here and there over the pink paint to turn the fabric a soft variegated peach color. Let the paints dry. Follow the paint manufacturer’s directions to heat-set the colors.
8. Place the painted fabric on a parchment sheet. Spray the fabric with water until damp. Scrunch the fabric, creating little nooks and crannies, until it measures about 4" x 8" (10.2 x 20.3 cm). Follow the manufacturer’s directions to fuse interfacing on the scrunched fabric. Press from both sides to set the fabric texture.

Creating the Appliqués

9. Trace the templates onto the matte side of freezer paper to make appliqué patterns. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to apply fusible web to the wrong side of the three red fabrics.
10. Place the pomegranate patterns, shiny side down, on the right side of the red fabrics and the contrast patterns, shiny side down, on the scrunched fabric. Press the patterns to hold them temporarily on the fabrics. Cut out the appliqués. Remove the patterns.
11. Assemble each pomegranate appliqué on a parchment sheet. Overlap the appliqué sections where indicated on the patterns. Cover the appliqués with a parchment sheet, and press.

Positioning & Attaching the Cover Image

12. Wrap the cover around the closed book. Fold the hem ends inside the book covers. Mark where the cover falls on the side, top, and bottom edges of the book. Arrange the pomegranate appliqués on the front cover, and pin in place.
13. Remove the cover from the book. Open the cover out flat. Remove the pins from the appliqués. Fuse the appliqués in place.
14. Adjust the sewing machine for zigzag stitching, choosing a medium stitch width and a short stitch length, or adjust the sewing machine for straight stitching, choosing a short stitch length. Stitch the raw edges of the appliqués, matching the thread color to the lighter and darker red fabrics. Use tan thread to stitch the scrunched contrast appliqués.

Beading the Pomegranate Design

15. Thread the needle with beading thread. Sew beads individually using a seed stitch, nestling them into the scrunched folds of the contrast appliqués. At times pick up two or three beads with one stitch. Sew some individual beads below the pomegranate appliqués.

Finishing Steps

16. Wrap the cover around the book to test the fit. Check the accuracy of the markings for the center of the spine. Use chalk to mark the side, top, and bottom edges of the book. Remove the cover from the book.
17. Apply fusible web to the wrong side of the lining.
18. Place the cover right side up. Fold the hemmed edges back at the sides. Center the lining right side down over the spine (figure 1).
19. Sew the seam across the top and bottom of the cover. Turn the cover right side out and test the fit; if necessary, sew a deeper or narrower seam. Trim the seam allowances to 1⁄2" (1.3 cm). Press the seams as sewn.
20. Turn the cover right side out. Use a point turner tool to help the corners to turn completely.
21. Fuse the lining in place.
22. Slide the book into the cover.
     
    

Variation Idea

Template Pattern