Upcycled E-Reader Cover From an Old Book

Make an e-reader case that will keep it safe and blend into your bookshelves when not in use!

The library ends up with a lot of books the just can't be repaired anymore, be it missing pages or pages crumbling from age. So here's something to do with fun book covers.

-a hardcover book

-24" of 1/2" elastic

-fabric - ideally not too stretchy or slippery, cotton or cotton poly blend is probably best

-thin cardboard (cereal boxes are perfect)

-scissors (if possible, both paper and fabric scissors is ideal)

-tacky glue and/or spray adhesive

-hot glue

-exacto knife or box cutter

-ruler

(optional but potentially super helpful - punch)

The best book is one that's slightly larger and thicker than your e-reader and not usable anymore. If you want, ask your local library if they have discards you could have. This one was 50+ years old and had pages that were crumbling to dust, but the cover is pretty and the spine is still solid.

If your book has a dust jacket, take it off before getting started.

(I do not have the e-reader handy, this one was a gift for my cousin, so I looked up the measurements online. Which works, but if it's for you, it's a lot easier to have it handy!)

Cut out the whole block of the book, being careful not to damage the spine. Most books you can use an exacto knife to cut the thicker endpaper right next to the spine to free the block. Sometimes there's a mesh reinforcing the spine. Scissors can be better for that element. Again, cut through that being careful not to cut the spine of the book.

If the paper is in poor shape, recycle it. If it's in good shape, set it aside to make roses or kusudama flowers. (Or a bow if this will be a gift!)

The lining will need 3 pieces of cardboard. Two pieces should be just shy of the cover side. Use the endpapers as a guide since you'll want those covered.

The last piece will be the same length as the side pieces but slightly narrower than the width of the spine.

Cut out pieces of fabric about 1/2" larger around than each piece of cardboard. You can put the cardboard right on the fabric for a rough cut and trim it down with better scissors after.

Glue each piece of cardboard centered on its fabric piece. For this part I used a spray adhesive on the cardboard.

Once the front is dry, cut off the fabric corners, making diagonal cuts with the centers even with the tip of the cardboard corner. Fold the fabric over the edges and glue on back of cardboard. Use tacky glue or hot glue for this part.

You'll end up with three fully covered panels.

While the fabric and cardboard is drying, cut another strip of fabric about 4" wide and1" longer than the book. Fold over one end, line up so that it's even with the end papers, and hot glue over the bottom of the exposed spine and endpapers. Stretch it to the top, fold the fabric under, and hot glue at the top as well.

Glue the spine panel you covered so it's centered top to bottom and lined up in the spine of the book.

Glue the left hand panel centered on the left side. Make sure any endpaper is covered, and that some of the fabric used to reinforce the spine is exposed between the side panel and spine panel so the book will still close properly.

This is where having the e-reader handy is helpful. Otherwise, have your measurements ready.

Cut four 6" strips of elastic. Working with the elastic, make sure it stays flat, but don't stretch it. The stretch is what leaves room for the e-reader.

If you have it, place the e-reader on the panel. See where to arrange the elastic to hold the corners tightly without blocking the display.

If the panel sticks out 1/4" or less on all sides of the e-reader, gluing the elastic diagonally across the corners will hold it securely.

Run the outer side of the elastic from 1 3/4" in on one side of a top corner diagonally to 1 3/4" in on the other side. Fold about 1 1/2" of one side of the elastic to the back and anchor with hot glue. On the front, place it diagonally across the corner again and secure the other side on the back with hot glue.

If the e-reader fits, continue with the other 3 corners.

If the book is a little long for the e-reader, measure 1 3/4" in from where the bottom ought to be, then mark that spot with a pencil. Make a hole large enough to pull the elastic through.

This is where a punch is helpful. Piercing the fabric and cardboard with a thick needle and shoving a sharpened pencil through the hole until it is big enough to pull the elastic through works, it just involves more risk of stabbing yourself.

Start with the side of the elastic that needs to be pulled through the hole. Pull it through, securing 1 1/2" on the back with hot glue. One the front, bring it diagonally to the side 1 1/2" above where the elastic comes out at the bottom. Fold it around to the back and hot glue.

Give the glue a minute or two to set, and if you have the e-reader, make sure it fits before gluing the panel in.

Run a bead of hot glue about 1/8" in from the edge all along the back of the panel. Put it centered on the right side, covering the end papers and press down.

Give it a few minutes and it's ready to use.

*Fabric warning:

The preview photo was the trial one where I didn't take pictures, but I was overall pleased with it so decided to make a second as a gift and document the process.

But learn from my mistakes, no matter how cute the fabric is, no matter how well it matches the cover, DO NOT use fabric with glitter for this project. Even pre-washed scraps shed glitter that gets all over your e-reader...

*Some thoughts on adhesive options:

Spray adhesive is smelly but really helpful and seems to leave the fabric with a better texture. Tacky glue is much better for a poorly ventilated area, but may require overnight to dry and can seep through the fabric. Hot glue is incredibly handy but adds a lot of thickness to each element. If you have plenty of time and good ventilation, I'd suggest spray adhesive for centering the cardboard on the fabric. Then using tacky glue for folding the pieces over and attaching the spine piece and left panel, saving hot glue for attaching the elastic and right panel.

*Some thoughts on further upcycled elements:

I haven't tried it yet, but this might be another good use for worn out button downs. The fabric would be the right texture, and if it has an intact pocket you might be able to use a book with a wider spine and center the pocket over the left panel to have a place to put the charging cord.

*The wallpaper on the nook is Surka the warrior shrew and bridge troll from Ursula Vernon's comic Digger. If you've never read it, it's wonderful, please do!