How to Make a Denim Pocket Book Cover

Trying to organize and consolidate all your things? Whether it’s a school notebook, a journal, or your favorite notepad, putting it all together is definitely a win. Use this denim book pocket cover to store everything you need in your book, and cover up that ugly or damaged book cover.

Denim Pocket Book Cover

Book covers are a great way to protect your books while adding a touch of personality. They are also easy and cheap to make! You can keep your favorite notebooks in good condition while showing your unique style, while keeping everything you need, such as your favorite pens, bookmarks, and notes.

Unlike other book covers, this one, in particular, is designed to be a permanent cover. Therefore, it is best to use things like journals, notebooks, or a beloved book with a damaged cover. This is not a solution for covering school books where the cover needs to be removed from the road.

And if you have leftover denim, you can make it pretty old blue jeans necklace or even use it as a denim wine bottle cover for gifting.

Where Can I Find Old Blue Jeans for Crafts Like These?

Most people have old blue jeans laying around that have tears or holes in them or maybe don’t fit anymore. They are great for this project and similar. But, if you don’t have any, below are some great ideas on where to get denim for crafting.

• Your local thrift store or thrift store often has a color tag sale day when denim is inexpensive. Check out pairs for $2 or less each for projects like this one.
• Garage sales and yard sales are other great places to find cheap denim. Especially if you don’t mind small sizes because children’s pants are always more wearable and cheaper.
• Fabric stores also often carry denim or denim-like fabric. It is more expensive but is a viable option that you can use.

Can I Make This Book Cover Waterproof?

Although this cover does not come off the book, you may want it to be easy to clean. One of the best ways to do that is to cover the outside with something like Mod Podge to protect it. However, this is not an easy​​​​​​ task and can be bad for all the nooks and crannies of the denim or the pocket.

What All Can I Use This Denim Book Cover For?

Since this is a more permanent solution than some book covers, what you put on it should be something you will keep for a long time. You should use it for something that doesn’t matter if you don’t see the original cover anymore.

For me, it’s great for a personal journal or a notebook for taking notes in a classroom. It’s also great for using a 3-ring binder or similar office item that you can add pages to and remove as needed.

Its front pocket is perfect for holding things like your pens, pencils, or highlighters. It can also hold bookmarks, paper clips, binder clips, or even a few pieces of candy handy for “emergencies”. And, depending on the size of the pocket, you can slide your phone inside to use it while you take notes.

What Ways Can I Decorate My Book Cover?

There are many ways you can decorate your book cover! It’s fine, or you can make it unique in your own style. Below are some ways you can decorate your book cover.

• Add rhinestones, beads, sequins, or charms to make it sparkle or pop.
• Burlap lace, lace ribbon, and fake pearls can dress it up a bit and make it more feminine.
• Use paint brushes or fabric paint to create a scene with flowers or other colorful themes if desired.
• Glue patches or other pieces of fabric in different shapes as patches.
• Add ribbons, beaded ribbon, twine, or embroidery floss around the top, sides, and bottom.
• Place a belt loop or strip of denim in the top corner to grab and go or hang it on a hook in your locker or on your desk.
• Add extra fabric to the inner cover and put an extra pocket inside. This is especially nice when used in a 3-ring binder or similar.

Supplies needed

How to Make a Denim Book Cover

Start by cutting off the leg(s) of a pair of old blue jeans. Depending on the size of the book you cover, you may need to use both legs. Then, cut the leg seam, unfolding the leg so that it is one solid piece of denim.

Place this denim on a clean surface, so that the outside is facing down. Then, place your book on top and measure around it, marking 1″ wide on all sides of the book.

Cut the jeans along the lines you traced on the denim. Discard or set aside the excess blue denim pieces for other crafts later.

Now you will attach the denim to your book. Place the book on the denim so that the inside of the denim faces the book. Center the book, then start by gluing the denim to the back and front covers, as well as the spine of the book.

Now, you will fold the denim at the edges, glue it in place on the inside of the book cover.

Repeat this for the second side, and then you will work on adding the tops and bottoms.

On the spine of the book, you will cut the fabric so that it can be folded. Now, you have two sides above and below.

Fold it and glue it in place, fold the corners and glue them to themselves.

Once the book is covered with denim, you will then cut a pocket from another pair of jeans, or the same pair that you got the leg(s) from today.

Glue the pocket to the front of the book.

Add a little lace ribbon to the top of the pocket and/or add any leftover lace, ribbon, beads, or charms you want to decorate the outside of the book.

More Upcycled Denim Crafts

Nothing satisfies me more than making something from scratch. In this case, a denim craft is a good thing because it gives my old blue jeans new life. Below are some more ideas to turn your worn out blue jeans from trash to treasure. Make sure you bookmark these ideas for later, print out the instructions, or just pin them to Pinterest to make them right away.

Finished Project Gallery

This is a great project to cover a boring journal for gifting.

Add a patch or initial embroidery on the pocket to personalize it.