Hymns and Verses

A DIY and Home Decor Blog

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • HOME
  • SHOP
    • SHOP MY HOME
    • HYMNS & VERSES ON ETSY
    • SHOP MARY & MARTHA
  • ABOUT
    • PRIVACY AND COOKIE POLICIES
    • DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
  • DECORATING
  • CRAFTS & DIY
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE

DIY Nautical Theme Map Book Cover

May 17, 2016 by Doreen Cagno Filed Under: Crafts & DIY, Decorating 10 Comments

Each summer our family heads to Ocean City, NJ, for a week long family vacation.  There’s nothing quite like the sound of ocean waves to make me get into relax mode!  I also like to do a little retail therapy while I’m at the beach!  The shops there are full of nautical theme and coastal decor!   I love it, but I don’t live at the beach – so my home isn’t going to reflect that nautical theme or coastal style for everyday living.  However, I do like to add touches of nautical style into my decor in the summertime.   Today, I’m going to share a super simple way to add a touch of nautical theme decor  for just a few dollars using books you have on hand and maps.

 Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

When’s the last time you made a book cover?   I know for me ,it goes back to the early elementary years of my older boys – now in their 20’s!   So today, I’m going to show you how to make a book cover with a map.

Finding a Map for your Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

Map Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

First – choose your map.  Mr. C had an old atlas map book in the garage that he let me take apart to use for this project.  You can also pick up new maps at many convenience stores that sell gas.  Or, look for large books with old maps in your local thrift stores.  I tried to find pages with water areas – making the finished book covers look more coastal.
Step 1 Make a Nautical Theme Book Cover
Find a book that fits your map – make sure your map is at least one inch longer in height than your book and four inches longer in width than your open book.  This is my book on the map page I used.

 

Step 2 Make a Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

Fold the bottom edge of your map and line your book bottom up with the folded edge.

 

Step 3 Make a Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

Next, fold the top edge of the map to meet the top of your book.  Use your fingers to make a crease with the book edge and then make a straight fold.  Now your map should be the same height as your book.

 

Step 4 Make a Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

Open the front cover of your book and fold the map over the left edge, leaving about 1 – 1 1/2 inches of map.  See the side slits from the top and bottom folds – just guide the hard cover of your book into those slits until you reach the fold line you made.

 

Step 5 Make a Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

This is what it will look like from the inside.  Now onto the other side.

 

Step 6 Make a Nautical Theme Book Cover
Close the front cover and see how much map you have left on the back side.  You should have about 1 – 1 1/2 inches as shown.

 

Step 7 Make a Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

Fold the remaining map to make a crease and insert the back cover into the side slits the same way you did for the front.

 

Nautical Theme Book Cover

 

And, there you have it – your finished book cover!  These nautical theme covered books  look great stacked and add a nice coastal touch to your decor!
Nautical Theme Book Cover and Rope Knot

 

If you’d like to make your own nautical rope knot like the one above, click HERE.

 

Nautical Theme Photo Display

 

Or, if you want to make a nautical/coastal photo collage using dollar store frames and rope, click HERE.
DIY Nautical Theme Map Book Cover
I hope you’ll follow me on Pinterest!  I’m there everyday, pinning inspiration for me and YOU!
Pin5
Share
Tweet
5 Shares

Comments

  1. Laura @ Top This Top That says:
    July 18, 2013 at 11:54 am

    the book looks great in your coastal theme. Is that year round or just for the summer? please try to find me at haven, I want to meet you!!:)

    Reply
  2. ~Lavender Dreamer~ says:
    July 18, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Maps look so great in nautical decor! I would love to try this project! Enjoy your day! Happy summer!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    July 18, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    I love your idea, Doreen! A nice way to hide some not so pretty books. also, wouldn't it be fun to cover a novel with the map of where the novel takes place? Mark and brothers are in my prayers.
    Love you!-Linda

    Reply
  4. andrea@townandprairie says:
    July 18, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    Now THAT'S summer style. Such a swanky way to dress up a vignette for summer.

    Reply
  5. must love junk says:
    July 19, 2013 at 12:27 am

    What a fun idea! Love the look 🙂
    Susan

    Reply
  6. sew sweet vintage says:
    July 19, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    How cool! Pinned to my beachy board! I posted anchors away pillowcases to the Creative Party. Stop over:)

    Reply
  7. Jann Olson says:
    July 21, 2013 at 3:07 am

    Doreen, what great décor for summer. Love the covered books. Thanks for showing how to do it. Been so long that I had forgotten how. So happy to have you share with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  8. Barbara says:
    May 18, 2016 at 12:36 am

    Doreen,
    Do you have an inexpensive place to buy maps? They are often hard to find. Please advise me! Thanks. I love the map book covers. I now have three books covered in cloth in patterns to match my decor in the living room. Love to show books in a vignette.

    Reply
  9. Rachel says:
    August 18, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    I’ve always had a thing for old, antique looking maps. Making a book cover out of one sounds like an excellent project. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Doreen Cagno says:
      August 25, 2016 at 12:52 am

      I’m so glad you are going to give it a try!!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Looking For Something?

Hi, I’m Doreen

Hi, I’m Doreen

THIS IS MY STORY . . .
Child of God - Wife - Mother

THIS IS MY SONG . . .
Maker - Decorator - Story Teller

To learn more - click the 'About Me' section above!

EMAIL SIGNUP

EMAIL SIGNUP

PRINTABLE LIBRARY

Free Printable Library

Archives

AntiqueFarmHouse

Blog Design by © 2019 · By, Little Web Writing Hood

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more