johnggrg Report post Posted January 28, 2011 I want to make a book cover for my C+R FFL 03 bound book. The book is 8 3/16 wide x 3/4 thick x 10 1/4 high. I have never made a book cover before so this is a first. I was wondering if some one could help me with a design for the cover or maybe someone has made one already? Maybe a pattern I could print out? I would like the design to have C+R ( or Curio and Relic) FFL 03 licence Bound book and then some type of picture? or something. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted January 28, 2011 Funny that you should write this today. I JUST finished 2 bible covers. I have never covered a bound book before- just albums etc. Make sure that you measure over the width and length of the cover. Leave plenty to trim afterwards. And if you are making a cover for the book to slip into on each side- make sure that you measure it closed, as the width of the finished project will be wider than just adding the 2 covers and spine widths. I glued the panels on and slipped the book covers into them to make sure, stitched, and then trimmed and edged. As for the design, what did you have in mind? Lots of talent here to help pete ps- if I did it wrong myself- PLEASE chime in someone!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bison Report post Posted January 28, 2011 I make my covers similar to Pete's. I measure the book closed with a cloth measuring tape from front cover edge, around the spine to the back cover front edge. I then make a template out of heavy board (I use Mat board from Hobby lobby). I add 3/4 inch to the measurement around the book and the same for the measurement top to bottom (3/8 inch per side). Don't be afraid to add more...you can always trim it..in fact, I usually add more if it is a size I haven't done before. I place the template on the leather-7/8 oz, scribe it then cut it. Flip the leather over for the rough side and find the center line top to bottom. Measure the spine of the book and add about 1/4 inch. Divide that measurement in two and measure that distance to the right and left of the center line. Gouge those two lines with a V-gouge about 1/2 way through the leather. I do this by laying a straight edge on the leather and running my gouge along the line against the straight edge. I then skive out the middle with a French Skivver. This helps ensure the leather will bend and not crack, and that it will stay closed when it's on the book. I then tool the cover, front and back, stain, oil, edge. Then I use a thin leather, 2-3 ounce to make the inside flaps that will hold the cover of the book. I rough cut them about 1/2 larger on three sides, but make sure I have a nice straight cut for the inside of the piece. I place the cover on the flap, rough to rough and outline the cover on the flap. I remove the cover, put contact cement on the cover covering about 1/8 inch from the edge in on the area the flap will cover. I put contact cement on the flap the same way, using the line I drew as a guide. When they're ready, I put them together and make sure the bond is good and tight. Then trim the flap on the top, bottom and outside edge. I don't always dye the flaps, but if I do, I do it before I attach it to the cover. After trimming, bevel the flap edges, then burnish and seal. Then grove and stitch mark the cover if you haven't already...I usually do mine before it's dry from tooling. Punch or drill the holes and stitch. Put the cover on the book and enjoy! As to tooling pattern, I'm not the guy. I use patterns I purchase mostly or cut and paste. Just started making my own. I've attached a photo of a cover I made for my wife for Christmas. She likes it! Good luck, Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnggrg Report post Posted January 28, 2011 Thanks for the replies. I have never made a cover before and thought it would be a good project to cover my C+R bound book. For those who don't know what that is it is a record book of all Curio and Relic Firearms I buy with my License. I used a National Brand account book. It is 8 3/8 x 10 3/8 got the measurement wrong but it is written on the first page. Standard hard cover record book. As for the design? I am thinking : Curio and Relics FFL 03 bound book placed someway and then some type of design but something easy as I am new to all of this. I was thinking as for the letters to make them of a decent size maybe in a half cyrcle then FFL 03 in a straight line towards the bottom and a picture in the middle? Not sure on the picture. Maybe some type of crossed guns pistols or rifles what ever looks better. Don't have any way of making the picture to print that is one problem. I do have acces to a printer. As far as making the cover there were a few more steps I didn't realize but you have cleared that right up so thank you. Just need to get a printable picture for a pattern to transfer to the leather. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnggrg Report post Posted January 31, 2011 Is any one good at Adobe Ilistrator? I got a free trial version but don't know how to use it. All I really need is a half arc saying Curio and Relics then towards the bottom center FFL 03. Something I could print out if someone could I would appreciate it. Letters about 1 inch high. Please!! Thank you. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonspit Report post Posted January 31, 2011 Is any one good at Adobe Ilistrator? I got a free trial version but don't know how to use it. All I really need is a half arc saying Curio and Relics then towards the bottom center FFL 03. Something I could print out if someone could I would appreciate it. Letters about 1 inch high. Please!! Thank you. John My pc is down or I would do it for you. I am not an expert by any means, but I have done a few things. the good thing is, its vecor files so size doesnt matter. oh and if I get to this, what font? If I get it up and running, I will pm you, but I got a heavy work schedule so dont hold your breath. this thread is great as i am making a dayplanner type thing, my second and it gave me some good answers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tg lucas Report post Posted January 31, 2011 hey john will have a little time available tonight as i start a new design, let me know what you are looking for and i can fix you up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnggrg Report post Posted January 31, 2011 Thanks for the replies. Ok I would like it to be written in an Arc. CURIO AND RELIC'S. In the yearbook Solid font. Letters about 3/4 of an inch. Max printed area 7 3/4 wide for the arc. Then if you could towards the bottom anywhere. FFL-03 same size type 3/4. If you could make it so I could print it out that would so cool of you. I really appreciate the help. Thank's alot. john Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tg lucas Report post Posted February 1, 2011 hey john send me an email addy and i will send you the illustrator file and that way you can change the font to whatever you want, typing on an arc is one of the tricky ones in illustrator because of all the options Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnggrg Report post Posted February 1, 2011 PM sent. Thank you thank you thank you. john Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnggrg Report post Posted February 1, 2011 I do have a question. If I am not using a lining on the inside. Wouldn't V gauging to lines in the spine area and then using the french skiver to clean the area in between look bad or at least be seen when the book is in it? Seems like it would. Does anyone have a picture of this area? So I can see what you mean. I must be seeing it differantly in my head then you describe. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnggrg Report post Posted February 2, 2011 tg lucas guess you been busy. Been waiting to see what you came up with. John P.S Anyone know an answer to my previous question?????????????? John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
