| Did you know that is it possible to make a | | | | If you want more lasting protection, try making a fabric |
| scrapbooking album from scratch. They are usually | | | | jacket. You will require a sewing machine for this one. |
| quite pricey to buy, so it might be worth your while to | | | | You can also do some great personalising of your |
| try your hand at making your own. There are many | | | | fabric cover with embroidery or sewing of other |
| books available on the subject of bookbinding, or you | | | | embellishments onto the cover. You should use a |
| should find loads of ideas on Google. | | | | strong and close woven fabric like a lightweight |
| In today's scrapbooking ideas and solutions, I am going | | | | canvas. Fabric mustn't be too thick, or you will battle to |
| to focus on making a cover for your album, whether | | | | get the cover to fit smoothly over the album. |
| you have made it yourself, or bought one and just | | | | First of all measure your album accurately. The height |
| want to personalise or protect the cover. | | | | of the fabric must be the height of the album plus 6cm |
| This simple idea will give your precious album an extra | | | | for folding inwards. The width of the fabric must be |
| layer of protection from dust and handling and is easy | | | | the width of the front cover, the back cover, the spine |
| to make. If you choose to make a paper jacket, view | | | | and another cover added on to make the front and |
| it as something that will need to be replaced when it | | | | back flaps. Trim the short ends with pinking shears |
| becomes tired and worn. | | | | Fold over both the side flaps right sides together (inside |
| For a paper jacket, but a length of paper measuring | | | | out) and make sure that it fit's the album. Thread your |
| exactly the height of the album that you wish to cover. | | | | sewing machine and sew the flaps in place top and |
| Cut the width three times the width of the album, plus | | | | bottom. Turn the fabric the right way around and you |
| add on the width of the spine. | | | | will have a cover. Iron and stick the top and bottom |
| Fold over the one end to half the width of the album | | | | edges fold inwards towards the album, and then just |
| and slide the back cover of the album into the fold. | | | | slip the cover on. |
| Wrap the remaining paper around the spine and over | | | | You could also try using felt to make your album |
| the front cover. Keep the paper taut and turn the | | | | cover, as this can just be cut to size and would not |
| album over and fold the remaining paper around the | | | | need turning under, as it doesn't fray. |
| front cover. Glue in place. | | | | You can then have loads of fun decorating your cover |
| It is best to use thick enduring card or hand made | | | | to your taste. |
| paper to make your paper jacket so that it will last. | | | | |