Homemade gifts can be the best kinds of presents.
Whenever possible, I try to combine my love of DIY projects with my love of upcycling to make creative presents for friends and family. Whether turning an old book into a cool new picture frame, or getting creative with junk that I have in my garage, I enjoy making gifts that are heartfelt and one-of-a-kind. So when I saw what one woman did to transform an old book, I knew it would make a perfect DIY present.
I found this project on A Beautiful Mess, where Mandi Johnson turns an old hardcover book into a brand new purse. Mandi writes, "The best accessories are functional, cute, and great conversation starters."
With some buttons, fabric, and a few items from around the house, Mandi was able to make something unique and beautiful. I definitely plan to try this clever idea. It's certainly original and it costs very little money at all.
Please SHARE if you love beautiful and unique DIY projects like this one.
Mandi started this unique project with a hardcover book, a magnetic snap kit, lining fabric, heavy weight interfacing, an X-Acto knife, scissors, a marker, a hot glue gun, an iron, and a sewing machine.
Mandi began by removing the cover from the pages and the binding of the book. She cut out a piece of fabric just slightly larger than the cover. You can certainly use any fabric you like, but Mandi suggests something that complements book's colors.
After folding and ironing the edges of the fabric, Mandi cut a small piece of the interfacing and sewed it onto the fabric.
Mandi then attached one side of her snap to the fabric and cut out another small flap and attached the other side of the snap. Mandi suggests using a magnetic snap for an easy open-and-close purse!
Doubling up the fabric, Mandi cut out a shape just slightly larger than the side of an opened book.
Finally, with all of the individual pieces cut out, the purse finally began to take shape!
Mandi used hot glue to secure the fabric to the book cover. She suggests, "Use hot glue and work only little bits at a time, or the glue will dry and harden before you can get to it."
And before she knew it, Mandi had created a DIY purse! She writes, "It might seem like a lot of steps, but it only took me a couple of hours to transform this old book into a purse."
"The magnetic snap works like a charm, and I love the simplicity of a clutch design. So fun!"
Mandi's upcycle project is a great idea for yourself or for a gift. She writes, "This book clutch is the perfect little thing to carry to a party for stashing your necessities while meeting new friends and finding kindred spirits."
Please SHARE if you love beautiful and unique DIY projects like this one.
