{No-Sew} Fabric Book Case

This book holder has been a LONG time coming and I’m so relieved to be able to share it with you! 44 weeks ago I pinned this image from Penny Carnival.

I’ve had everything I needed to make one of these for at least a good 3 months now. When I finally got myself around to actually making the book case, I found that my sewing machine was on the fritz – boo! I was put on hold yet again and didn’t know what to do. But, I had the idea to make this a no-sew fabric book case. If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, this is the tutorial for you! This is a super easy and relatively inexpensive way to bring life to book storage.

Here’s what you’ll need {for one book case}:

47″ x 42″ piece of fabric
Two wooden dowels
Two double curtain rod brackets
No-Sew hemming tape
Iron
Optional:
Paint or wood stain
Dowel caps

Because I knew the dowels would show at the ends of my book case, I decided to give them a good coat of Annie Sloan Dark Wax. I also went over the finials in the wax. You could also use a bright paint that matches your fabric, or any wood stain you happen to have on hand.

While your wax is drying, wash – dry – and iron your piece of fabric. This way all the shrinking is done; and should your little one have extra-sensitive skin, you’ll know the fabric won’t bother them! Cut your fabric to size after it is prepped. You’ll want your piece of fabric to be somewhere around 47″ x 42″.

Next, you’ll want to ‘hem’ all of your edges using your no-sew hemming tape. I started out by ironing the edge to create a crease, then placing the tape and ironing it to secure. Follow the instructions on your tape to properly adhere the fabric.

When all of your edges are hemmed up, fold your fabric so the right-sides are together and hem one short side and one long side.
*The other long side should be your folded end so you don’t have to hem it.

Flip your fabric inside-out and hem up the other short end. Now you have a double-thick rectangular piece of fabric.

Using your dowels as a guide. hem the two long ends of fabric to create dowel pockets.

If you hang your curtain rod brackets using drywall anchors, make sure you don’t hit a stud…not that I know from experience – I’ve just heard that the anchors could break.

Secure your dowels using the screws included with the double brackets. Attach any end pieces if you chose to use them. {I haven’t gotten mine in yet, but I’ll definitely put pictures up when I do}!

Put a bunch of adorable books in the book case and admire your handiwork that was completed with NO SEWING!

The original tutorial suggest that you don’t put too many books in because of weight, but I found that I could only fit about 10 books in anyway. I think this is because we put a lot of board books in, if you use thin paperback books please do be careful about the weight.

I am in love with this no-sew handiwork of mine! It’s so perfect under the window in little man’s playroom. We’ve stacked some pillows next to it so he has a little reading nook. He reads so much more now because he can see his favorite books and has a cozy place to sit and look at them. I really hope this helps all of you out who don’t have a sewing machine!

Please send me pictures of your finished No-Sew Fabric Book Cases I’d love to feature you!
sam {at} atkinsondrive {dot} com

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