How To Make A Miniature Fabric Bound Book

 

How To Make A Fabric-Bound Book 

Fall is here and along with it colder rainy days –  what better time is there to devote lots of time to reading? Some schools have reading lists, libraries have reading challenges, but besides all that, books are a great way to travel and explore new lands and times! Our dolls love to read, so we decided to make them a fabric-bound book that really opens and closes. Now they want a whole bookshelf full! Do your dolls like to read, too? Follow along to make them an easy book or two! Then cuddle up by the fire and read to your hearts content!

 

Supplies Needed:

•Computer paper
•Paper cutter (optional)
•Scissors
•Ruler and pencil
•Stick glue
•Lightweight cardboard/chipboard
•Small piece of white fabric
•Larger scrap of colored fabric
•Liquid Stitch fabric glue
•Paint brush or q-tips
•Thin ribbons (optional)
•Gold or silver metallic paint or sharpie (optional)



Let's get started!

Step 1:  Measure and cut your paper into strips. (Before we began we decided on a 2 3/4 by 2 inch book size, and printed small text boxes on our computer paper. You may not want to go to that much trouble, so blank paper is fine. Use your imagination, or let this be a journal or art book for your doll!) We used 8 strips cut to 8 1/2 by 2 inches for our demonstration book.



Step 2:  Fold you paper accordion style every 2 inches. Go back and forth, back and forth, trying to make each fold as even and exact as possible, in relation to the rest of the folds. This will give your book a better appearance once it is done and closed.


  
As you get to the end of a strip of paper, just overlap a little and glue on another one, using your stick glue and keeping the edges even. Keep adding paper and folding until your book is your desired thickness.

 

Step 3: Take your scrap of white fabric, and cut it to roughly 3 3/4 by 2 inches. Fold the two shorter sides up and in, adding a little liquid stitch inside to make a top and bottom “hem”. You want this to be exactly as tall as the “spine” of your folded papers.

 

Squeeze your folded paper together just a bit and add glue to the spine, using a generous amount of Liquid Stitch applied either with the paintbrush or q-tips. Adhere the white fabric to the spine of the folded papers, wrapping the edges around and gluing the free edges to the top and bottom folds of paper. You want really good contact between the fabric and the paper, so apply enough glue to fill in the gaps and almost saturate your fabric.

Let this set for a few minutes.

 

 

Step 4:  Now we will start on the outer cover of your book. Measure out and cut two pieces of your chipboard or lightweight cardboard to 2 7/8 by 2 1/8 inches. Also cut your scrap of colored fabric to be 7 by 4 3/4 inches.

Now you need to glue the chipboard pieces to the fabric, centered in the middle of the fabric but with a gap between them as thick as the spine of your book, in our case 1/4 of an inch, as in the photo.



Step 5:  Trim the fabric extending from the chipboard into angled triangle shapes, as in the photo. Add more Liquid Stitch and wrap these around and glue to the chipboard pieces. If you have any little threads sticking out of the corners you can put a little glue on your finger and wipe it on while smoothing the threads down.

 

Step 6:  Optional - if you want to add bookmarks as in some nicer books and bibles, measure and cut your narrow ribbon into 3-3 1/2 inch lengths. Glue one or more ribbons to the top of the outside of the spine of your paper book, with the long end extending upwards. Later this will fold down into the pages to make a bookmark.


Step 7:  Using the Liquid Stitch again, putting glue on the top, bottom, and spine, glue the outer cover of your book around the paper pages. Glue down the spine into the middle first, then wrap around the front, then the back. Make sure it is centered top to bottom, as the cover should stick out just a bit on all sides. Since we used a lot of glue, set this somewhere for half an hour to an hour to dry thoroughly. You might want to weight it down with something so it dries nice and flat. Let it dry all the way before you open the pages up all the way.
 

Step 7:  Optional - if you want the gilded edges that a lot of bibles and good quality leather bound books have, hold the pages together tightly and brush on gold or silver metallic paint. Use a dry brush and do several light coats, rather than one thick one, if you feel like you need more than one coat.
Make sure to loosen the pages from each other after each coat so that your pages do not stick together. You could also use a metallic sharpie and color the outer edges.

Once everything is dried and set, let your doll enjoy her new book!




*A couple of other ways to get text into your book are: You can scan or take photos of the inside of a book, or look on the internet for photos of the inside of a book, size those images to the size of your pages and print them, trim them, and glue them inside your book for a bit of realism. Or you can look in magazines for fine print and cut and glue those in. Or your child or doll could make it a scrapbook or doodle book, adding art or magazine clippings that they like best!

We'd love to see your creations too, so if you make one, please tag us on Instagram @PixieFaire and @forofsuch

You can also share pictures in the Pixie Faire Inspritation Gallery right here on the website, either use the #pixiefaire when posting on IG, or just click the little + box to upload your picture right here on the website!


 

 

ENTER TO WIN A $50 Pixie Faire Gift Card!

 

 

To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!

Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the PF Gift Card. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win the gift card!

 (This post and giveaway are not endorsed or affiliated with American Girl®, no endorsement implied.) 

We’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and tell us,  What is your favorite book to read?

Thanks, everyone!

--The Pixie Faire Team and @forofsuch

 


75 Comments

Gracia Marks
Gracia Marks

September 28, 2021

My addiction is mysteries; Agatha Christy type, rather unrealistic, but clever plots. How to books are another favorite. I am just curious as to how things work.

Joanne
Joanne

September 28, 2021

Any book by Francine Rivers is a good read! Next to the Bible, of course. Thanks so much for the give away!

Carol
Carol

September 28, 2021

I have loved to read all my life. In 5th grade the eye doctor told my mother that I should not be allowed more than one book a week including all school work. I like mysteries, both current and from historical periods, and read a lot of historical fiction.
Thank you for all the tutorial and the give away

Cathy
Cathy

September 28, 2021

I’ve been into historical fiction lately. Mysteries are always on my list also.

Heidi
Heidi

September 28, 2021

The Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Mae Lynn Beck
Mae Lynn Beck

September 28, 2021

I like mystery books and I saw a few titles that I’m going try. I also enjoy just reading a new pattern.

Shelly Peters
Shelly Peters

September 28, 2021

“The Greatest Miracle in the World” is my all-time fav book.

Shelly Peters
Shelly Peters

September 28, 2021

My favorite book ever so far is “The Greatest Miracle in World” by Og Mandino.

Donna Landreth
Donna Landreth

September 28, 2021

My favorite book that I like to read is Moby duck. Thank you Cinnamon for the awesome giveaways.😘

Sewbig
Sewbig

September 28, 2021

I like spy thrillers. I rarely read a book more than once. One I have read several times in my life is “The Little Prince”. Each time, it has new meaning.

Lynn
Lynn

September 28, 2021

I read a wide variety of books so it’s hard to choose! I’m currently enjoying “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series by Alexander McCall Smith

Linda
Linda

September 28, 2021

I love all books and variety of authors, couldn’t choose just one! Thanks

Diane
Diane

September 28, 2021

I just spent a wonderful week with my 2 year old granddaughter who I haven’t seen in a year. She enjoys books and reading The Pout Pout Fish brought lots of giggles. It is definitely my new favorite children’s book.

Janice
Janice

September 28, 2021

I like to read Regency romances and WWII fiction. The authors that write historical novels really do their research before writing.

Alison
Alison

September 28, 2021

Lately I’ve been reading a lot of American Girl and Dear America books. I appreciate that the protagonists have agency and it’s a good way to learn about history.

Virginia
Virginia

September 28, 2021

Favorite books from American Girl Doll age were the Ann of Green Gables series, the Little Women series, the Heidi series and The Little Princess. So many favorites!

Rose
Rose

September 28, 2021

I love to read cookbooks!

Tamara G
Tamara G

September 28, 2021

I read a lot — and a wide variety. So far this year I’ve read 53 books! As a girl, one of my favorite books to read was “Charlotte’s Web.” When Wilbur tried to weave a web like Charlotte but cried because he couldn’t do it, I cried too!!

Lori
Lori

September 28, 2021

Wow I have too many to name! I have loved books since I was a young girl. This tutorial is great – I’m looking forward to making some of these for my dolls.

Violetta
Violetta

September 28, 2021

I love so many books that I don’t think I can choose one. I love historical books, mysteries, and I read my Bible every morning.

Brenda Tromp
Brenda Tromp

September 28, 2021

I like the historical and today romance books

Doreen
Doreen

September 28, 2021

Kiki Lowenstien mystery series.

Jacque
Jacque

September 28, 2021

I love books and reading is something I have encouraged most of my life. I read all kinds of books and have tons of favorites. I taught school for 35 years and almost always had reading contests going on.

Sandy
Sandy

September 28, 2021

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. “To Kill a Mockingbird” has always been my favorite, but I love all genres: adventure, drama, science fiction, romance, mystery, and everything else! My favorite series of books is the “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon. Looking forward to creating some novels and school books for my girls!

Karen
Karen

September 28, 2021

I enjoy reading anything by Julie Garwood. Favorite Lion’s Lady

Karen
Karen

September 28, 2021

I enjoy reading anything by Julie Garwood. Favorite Lion’s Lady

Penny
Penny

September 28, 2021

The charitable giving group I belong to includes a full-size book with each doll set we send to our sites. I like the idea of including a doll-sized book with the set too.

Melinda
Melinda

September 28, 2021

Having had employment that ranged from court transcriptionist, to law enforcement to corrections, my days were filled with aspects of life that weren’t always pretty. So when I went home and wanted to unwind I’ve been one to use historical romances to escape to a kinder, gentler time period, before returning to the real world!! That’s why I LOVE our dolls ;) Thanks for all you do!! m

Sarah
Sarah

September 28, 2021

I read anything & everything but my absolutely fave genre is Magical Realism! I love when the setting is an ordinary world with just a few extraordinary elements!

DOnna Sherry
DOnna Sherry

September 28, 2021

My favourite book to read is Hungry caterpillar to my Great Grandchildren

DOnna Sherry
DOnna Sherry

September 28, 2021

My favourite book to read is Hungry caterpillar to my Great Grandchildren

Joanne Spence
Joanne Spence

September 28, 2021

I don’t have a single favourite book to read. My favourite authors are Tolkien, Anne McCaffery, and Jean Auel. My favourite genres are fantasy and historical fiction, although I can be sucked in by a really good who dunnit, too.

Laura
Laura

September 28, 2021

I dont have a favorite book. Too many!

Amy G
Amy G

September 28, 2021

I read a lot of teen/young adult books, as I like to know what my daughters are being exposed to. I used to love reading the American Girl books to my kids when they were younger ( it became part of our History class) but now that they are older, my favorite book would be Breaking Dawn from the Twilight series…I laugh so hard at some of the scenarios still.
Linda
Linda

September 28, 2021

As a retired librarian, who LOVES to read, this is a perfect project for me, and I’d like to make a Bible. Thanks so much, Cinnamon.

Carrie P
Carrie P

September 28, 2021

The Harry Potter Series!

Kell
Kell

September 28, 2021

Memory and Dream by Charles DeLint

Allison
Allison

September 28, 2021

So many favorites! Anne of Green Gables and the Little House books are all-time favorites.
I’m sharing this post with my 10 year old – I know she and her friends will love making books for their dolls this winter :)

Bee
Bee

September 28, 2021

My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, but I love cozy craft mysteries.

Maureen Fry
Maureen Fry

September 28, 2021

My favorite book to read is the Bible!

Jeri
Jeri

September 28, 2021

My very favorite book to read is the Bible. Other favorites include books by Max Lucado,John MacArthur and animal stories by Gerald Durrell.

Susi
Susi

September 28, 2021

I’m going to make this!

Audrey
Audrey

September 28, 2021

One of my favorite books is Vanya. A true story written by Myrna Grant.

Kathleen
Kathleen

September 28, 2021

I love books. I can not pick a favorite but I really enjoy a good mystery. But then, historical fiction is great and thrillers keep me up nights till I get to the end. Pick a favorite book? I can not even pick a favorite genre.

Tamalyn Hafen
Tamalyn Hafen

September 28, 2021

I like to read fantasy stories.

Pamela
Pamela

September 28, 2021

I absolutely loved the Little House on the Prairie series!

Jeannie Wheaton
Jeannie Wheaton

September 28, 2021

I love historical fiction. As a child I loved the Little House series.

Sharon
Sharon

September 28, 2021

Little bookshop books, Rhys Bowen,

Marion
Marion

September 28, 2021

My favorite read is “Mary Queen Of Scots” by Antonia Fraser
Marion

Jane
Jane

September 28, 2021

I enjoy historical romances and the Hannah Swenson Murder She Baked series by Joanne Fluke. They also contain recipes. I like the cozy mysteries also. And I have always enjoyed Little House books, Nancy Drew and other young teen fiction. Thank you for these giveaways. I just hope I am entering these the right way.

Beth Sherwin
Beth Sherwin

September 28, 2021

So hard to pick a favorite! I have read Anne of Green Gables several times, but I read the Bible on a daily basis.

Betsy
Betsy

September 28, 2021

Hm, so many books that I love! I’ll chose Rachel Fields’ Hitty: Her First Hundred Years.

Christine
Christine

September 28, 2021

My absolute favorite book is Christine by Stephen King!

Maurine
Maurine

September 28, 2021

I love all the Harry Potter books.

Lynne Govers
Lynne Govers

September 28, 2021

Chronicles of Narnia

Donna B
Donna B

September 28, 2021

I love the Outlander series!

Sandra
Sandra

September 28, 2021

Just finished Little House series . I started with Laura, then Martha, Charlotte, Caroline and finished with the Rose years. Loved them all. I also enjoy most of James Patterson’’s books

Michele
Michele

September 28, 2021

I love reading the No.1 Ladies Detective series of books by Alexander McCall Smith. There are 21 books in the series so far. The stories are always heartwarming with just the right amount of humor and detective work!

Summer
Summer

September 28, 2021

Thank you for the giveaway!

Heidi
Heidi

September 28, 2021

Thank you for the giveaway!

Shasta
Shasta

September 28, 2021

Thanks for the giveaway!

Cindy Shippy
Cindy Shippy

September 28, 2021

Thanks so much!

Amy
Amy

September 28, 2021

Thanks for the giveaway!

Bridgette S
Bridgette S

September 28, 2021

Love inspired historical books.

Bridgette
Bridgette

September 28, 2021

Christian Romance books.

Hélène Dahl
Hélène Dahl

September 28, 2021

I just finished Louise Penny’s latest. I have many favorites, so it is hard to chose. I reSlly enjoyed this book making tutorial!

Sue D
Sue D

September 28, 2021

I like the Little House set of books.

Kathy
Kathy

September 28, 2021

How can anyone pick just one favorite? I particularly like historical fiction and mysteries. Thank you for the book making tutorial – it looks like it will be a fun activity.

E
E

September 28, 2021

I love the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica.

MonicaAD
MonicaAD

September 28, 2021

The Bible … FIESTA :)

Cathy
Cathy

September 28, 2021

Oh, was Little House on the Prairie series, Such good memories.

Kimberly Chidsey
Kimberly Chidsey

September 28, 2021

I loved reading Nancy Drew, Little House on the Prairie books, and Anne of Green Gables. I also loved reading Shel Silverstein’s poetry books!

Debra
Debra

September 28, 2021

My favorite school supply was my Pee Chee

Meg
Meg

September 28, 2021

It changed from year to year, but I did love those “homework notebooks”.

Rachel
Rachel

September 28, 2021

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

Leave a comment