Video:How to Make a Paper Bag Book Cover

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Transcript:How to Make a Paper Bag Book Cover

Hi, I’m Tony Tiu, for About.com.

Supplies Needed to Make a Book Cover

Today, we will make a paper bag book cover. You will need:

• a bag
• scissors
• a pen
• tape
• a book

Prepare the Paper Bag

First, if your paper bag has handles, carefully remove them by tearing them out from the front and the back of the bag. Next, find the side of the bag where the paper is glued together in the middle, and then very carefully tear the bag apart. Now, pop open the entire bag, and then using a pair of scissors, cut out the bottom of the bag by cutting along and around all the edges. For the final edge, unfold the bag and flatten it. Then make your last cut and remove the bottom flap.

Arrange the Book Cover

Fold the paper bag now, with the printed side of the bag on top, place your book in the center of the bag. Then fold the bag along the top and the bottom edges of the book. You may want to use a pen to mark where the fold lines are supposed to be. Once you have made the initial folds, and using these fold lines to guide you, fold the flaps completely down.

Now, with the book on the paper bag, bring one side of the bag to the other, lining the edges up evenly. Next, fold the flap that hangs over the book into the inside of the book cover. If the flap is the correct length, you are done. If not, cut it shorter by using scissors. When you are finished, flip the book over to the other side. Just as before, fold the flap that hangs over the book into the inside of the book cover. You are now about halfway done with the process.

Next, open the cover of the book, and unfold the flap of the paper bag, and then very carefully tuck the book cover into the top and the bottom flaps of the bag. Then, slide the bag all the way into the book cover. When you are finished, flip the book over to the other side, and repeat the last step and very carefully tuck the book cover into the top and the bottom flaps of the bag. Again, slide the bag all the way into the book cover. You may want to make sure that the book cover fits snugly into the flaps.

Now, your paper bag book cover should stay in place all by itself, but it is better to tape it down so that it doesn’t fall off. This will also ensure that your hard work will last longer, so that your paper bag book cover can protect your book throughout the entire school year.

Secure the Book Cover

Tear off a piece of transparent tape, or any other tape of your own preference, the length of the paper bag flap that you folded the book cover into. Tape along the top and the bottom edges of your paper bag book cover, and remember to do this for both sides. However, be careful and make sure that you don’t put tape on the actual book itself.

Finally, open your book and check it out. You are done! That's it!

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web, at About.com.