Make a Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft using dollar store books, fabric, and Mod Podge for an easy and inexpensive autumn decorating idea.
How to make a fall fabric book stack craft using dollar store supplies
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Grab a few inexpensive thrift store or dollar store books and your favorite autumn fabric because we’re giving the classic decorative book stack a cozy fall makeover!
This Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft is an easy way to turn three basic dollar store books into cute seasonal decor using fabric, Mod Podge, and simple cardstock labels. I used coordinating fall fabric and added the words “Autumn,” “Harvest,” and “Grateful” to the spines for the finishing touch.
It’s inexpensive, completely customizable, and perfect for adding a little height to a fall mantel, shelf, tiered tray, or tabletop display.
Video Tutorial: Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft
Watch the video tutorial below to see exactly how I made this Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft from start to finish.
Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft
Learn how to make a Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft with inexpensive books, Mod Podge, fabric, and simple labels for cute DIY fall decor.
Materials
- 3 matching dollar store hardcover books
- Fall fabric
- Cream-colored cardstock
Tools
- Mod Podge
- 1-inch flat paintbrush
- Fabric scissors
- Printer
- Paper trimmer or scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Instructions
- Watch the Video. Follow along with the video tutorial to see exactly how to create fall fabric- covered book stack.
- Cut the Fabric. Start with three books that are the exact same size. Dollar store books are perfect for this because we're completely covering the original covers anyway. Cut a rectangle of fall fabric about ½ inch larger than your book in all directions. You want enough excess fabric to wrap neatly around the edges of the book cover.
- Cover the Front of the Book. Brush a generous coat of Mod Podge over the entire front cover and spine of the book. Center the book on the wrong side of your fabric, then smooth the fabric over the front cover and around the spine. You can use a smoothing tool if you have one, but I just used my fingertips. Easy peasy.
- Cover the Back. Apply another generous coat of Mod Podge over the back cover. Smooth the remaining fabric over the back and around the spine, making sure there aren't any wrinkles or bubbles. Don't be stingy with the Mod Podge here. Fabric absorbs a fair amount, and we want everything to stay put!
- Trim the Corners and Spine. Before folding the excess fabric inside the book, trim a small triangle from each of the four corners. Don't cut all the way to the corner of the book. Leave approximately ⅛ inch of fabric so you don't accidentally expose the book cover when everything gets folded over. Next, cut two small slits in the fabric at the top and bottom of the spine. Trim these sections down so you only have about ⅛ inch of fabric to tuck into the spine.
- Wrap the Fabric Around the Book Cover Edges. Starting with a ling edge, brush Mod Podge onto the excess fabric and fold it over the inside edge of the book cover. For the shorter ends, pinch the fabric at the corners before folding it over to create a clean edge. The fabric section near the spine can get a little tricky. Open the book all the way so you have room to smooth the fabric flush to the book cover.
- Wrap the Fabric Over the Book Cover Spine. Brush Mod Podge onto the small flap of fabric on one edge of the book spine. Tuck that small piece of fabric neatly into the spine. Add a little extra Mod Podge anywhere the fabric wants to fray or lift. Repeat on the other spine end.
- Repeat with the Other Books. Cover the other two books using the same process. Once all three books are covered, set them aside until the Mod Podge has dried.
- Make the Fall Book Labels. For the finishing touch, I printed three simple fall words onto cream-colored cardstock: Autumn, Harvest, and Grateful. Trim the labels with a paper trimmer so they're slightly narrower than the book spines. You could absolutely customize these with whatever words or phrases you like.
- Attach the Labels. Add a line of hot glue to the back of each cardstock label and attach it toward the top of the book spine. Make sure the labels line up in approximately the same spot when the books are stacked.
- Finish It Up. Stack all three books together, and your Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft is finished!
Notes
Tips for Making a Fabric-Covered Book Stack
- Using three books that are the same size will give you a nice, neat stack. If you're shopping specifically for this project, check the dollar store for inexpensive hardcover books with matching dimensions.
- Cut your fabric a little larger than you think you'll need. It's much easier to trim excess fabric than discover halfway through wrapping that you're short.
- And don't skip trimming those corners! Removing the extra fabric keeps the corners from becoming bulky when everything is folded inside.
How to Decorate with Your Fall Fabric Book Stack
A decorative book stack is an easy way to add a little height to a fall display.
Set your finished books on a mantel and top them with a small pumpkin. Use them to elevate a candle or decorative object on a shelf. You could also tuck the stack into a tiered tray or use it as part of a fall centerpiece.
Because the books are covered in fabric, they add a little extra pattern and texture without taking over the entire display.
Easy Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft
I love a craft that turns something completely ordinary into seasonal decor, and this Fall Fabric Book Stack Craft does exactly that.
Three inexpensive books, a little Mod Podge, and some pretty fall fabric are all you need to create a custom decorative book stack. Add a few cardstock labels, stack everything together, and you’re in business.
And once you know how to cover the books, you can use this same idea for Christmas, spring, Halloween, or pretty much any season you can find cute fabric for!
What Fabric Works Best?
This project is perfect for using leftover fabric from other fall crafts.
Try:
- Plaid
- Pumpkin prints
- Sunflowers
- Fall leaves
- Buffalo check
- Neutral ticking stripes
- Vintage florals
- Small-scale autumn patterns
You can cover all three books in the same fabric or mix and match coordinating prints for a more collected look.
Fall Book Stack Saying Ideas
You definitely don’t have to use “Autumn,” “Harvest,” and “Grateful.”
Other cute fall words and phrases could include:
- Pumpkin
- Thankful
- Gather
- Cozy
- Blessed
- Hello Fall
- Pumpkin Patch
- Sweater Weather
- Give Thanks
- Autumn Leaves
Keep the labels simple or customize them to coordinate with the rest of your fall decor.