I saw this scripture case here and decided I wanted to figure out how to make one out of fabric with handles. This is a scripture/bible case but I am sure you could make one to cover a journal too.
I made one for my 5 year old son’s Book of Mormon and one for my scriptures too. My set it REALLY old…like from high school. Why I chose green?… I don’t know, but this blue case makes it look a lot better. :)
So…I started making this before I thought to take pictures for a tutorial…sorry…so there are no pictures for the strap or measuring/cutting.
1. Measure your scriptures/book. I opened it up and laid it flat on the fabric. I then traced the book adding about 1/2 inch all the way around. I cut two pieces of this shape.
2. I then cut two pieces for the pockets which the book covers slide into. I think I did 3 3/4 inches for each one.
3. I made a strap piece. I cut a long piece of fabric and a coordinating fabric. I am sorry I don’t remember how long. Just measure a piece to your liking and double the width. Fold the fabric in half with right sides together. Straight stitch. With a safety pin hook and close it to one side and turn the “tube” of fabric so right sides face out. Iron it flat with the seam at the back. Then sew another tube with the coordinating fabric (I made this thinner than my first piece) and sew it on top of the first tube of fabric. This is optional of course. To close the strap I sew it right sides together and then sewed the sides next to the seam… but since it is sewn to the case you don’t need to do that second step….OR you could just use strap material and skip this step almost completely. :)
4. Sew the strap to one of the large case pieces. I measured where the middle was and pinned it on as evenly as possible. I stopped sewing a few inches from each side so that the straps were not sewn completely from end to end…you will see why in a minute.
5. Pinning…Pin the sleeves to the other piece without the handle sewn on. Flip the handle case piece on top of the sleeve piece and pin with those “right” sides together.
6. Sew just the long sides together leaving the ends open.
7. Turn it right sides out and remove pins.
8. Slide your book into the sleeves. Try it open and try it closed to make sure it will all fit nicely and that you measured correctly.
9. With the book closed, measure where the edge of the book is at the ends of the case. Mark this with a washable marker.
If you have enough room you can cut the ends with pinking shears to make it cleaner.
10. Tuck and sandwich the ends in to the place that you marked and pin it in place.
11. Sew the ends of the case. I started at one end, then sewed all around the entire case (which is why I added 1/2 inch all around at the beginning) leaving a very small seam allowance on the long sides. I think this gives it a more finished look too.
Special note…
For my son’s case I used a stretchy faux leather. I followed similar steps but I didn’t add contrasting fabric to the straps and I only used one layer of fabric for the case instead of two.
If you make one I would love to see it. Just comment or shoot me an email. Thanks!
Oh…and I linked this tutorial to here…go check it out and link your own project! :)
I'm very excited to find your blog! I saw the scripture cover picture in the collage of projects you had on Happy Together and was hoping to find a tutorial. I was just about to sit down and figure out how to make a scripture case for my quadruple combination and will happily follow your directions. I already have a case for my scriptures, but the short handle can only be held in the hand.
THank you! What a great idea to add a longer handle. I have thought about adding a clasp too which might help if you are toting it over your shoulder. :)
you are totally inspirational to me!