Vintage Inspiration

• Design a book cover with a vintage slant.
  
  Measure the book's dimensions cover to cover. Add an additional 3 inches to include the inside flaps. Locate scrapbook or textured paper in a tea-stain hue. In a complementary color such as deep scarlet, ink along the edges with a wide-tipped marker.
  
  Select a piece of textured paper that is 3 inches smaller than the previous one. Cut around its perimeter with decorative-edged scissors. Affix the textured paper atop the tea-stained one with adhesive.
  
  Build up texture and color with subdued or pastel-colored embellishments. Base selections on the effect you wish to achieve. For instance, if choosing Victorian vintage, mount a Victorian vintage calling card, postcard or holiday card as the central focus. Then, border with scalloped-edge lace paper, ribbons or vintage buttons.
  
  Adjust the arrangement to your liking, and then affix it to the paper with double-sided adhesive.
  
  

Clothbound

• Measure the length and width of the book to be covered. Add an additional 1 inch at the top and 3 inches on each side. Alternately, trace the actual book or the current book jacket onto paper to employ as a template.
  
  Wash and dry 1960s- or 1970s-inspired cloth before using it to allow for shrinkage. Alternately, choose a tight-weave felt (do not wash) in a funky color.
  
  Place the template onto the cloth or lineate the dimensions and cut out the cloth cover.
  
  Whip stitch both top and bottom seams with blanket thread to provide texture. Sew the raw edges down to form the two inside flaps.
  
  Add a modish floral design at the front using prefabricated felt cut-outs or your own creations. Pin the design onto the cloth and stitch around the entire design with a contrasting embroidery thread. Attach hand-crafted beads at the flower's center to finish.
  
  

Contemporary

• For those book lovers who prefer to create online and want something more contemporary, use a book cover creator. Apply this tool to create a front cover, front and back cover or an entire book cover.
  
  Select whether to have the final product in color or black and white. Next, choose a template that includes text and drawings or solely text. Utilize text tools, along with background and drawing tools to further illustrate the cover.
  
  Print the cover on resume or stationery paper. Place the printed cover on top of a recycled silver or gold gift bag or wrapping paper.
  
  Cut 2 inches around and glue the printed cover at the center. Add glossy magazine images for a collage effect. In black ink, highlight around images or text.