Simple Steps in Making a Canvas Bookshelf Cover

A bookshelf offers a storage and display space for your books, magazines, small decorations, and other knick knacks. What it cannot do, however, is to protect these items from harsh elements. Sunlight streaming through the windows can cause the items stored in the bookshelf to fade as well as the material of the bookshelf itself. Ugly layers of dust and moisture that are collecting on the shelves can also eventually ruin the items.

Thus, you need to protect the bookshelf and the items in it with a canvas cover. This cover prevents sunlight, dust, and moisture from seeping in, extending the life of your books and items. First, measure the bookshelf's opening, length, and width. Then add an inch on three of the sides for the hems and two inches on the top side for folding over. You can use a blank canvas, but this would look rather dull. A good suggestion is to have the canvas printed with a design, or a favourite photo of a loved one. You can enlist the services of a canvas printer to do the printing for you.

Cut out the measurements of the canvas, and then lay it down on the surface. Fold the side and the bottom edges about half an inch to make a hem, use a pin to hold them in place, and sew around the three sides. Do the same with the top edge but fold two inches. Use your grommet tool to put in grommets at the top part of the canvas; a two-inch interval is ideal. Grommets should be spaced evenly, and add a final one at each side of the top fold.

Finally, attach hooks to the bookshelf that corresponds to the position of the grommet. Once the last hook is installed, hang the canvas cover on the bookshelf.