Ugly albums

Rach - it looks very nice! I love it when an idea like that comes together!]

Jessica

Looks much more special now Rach and definitely unique!

Judy, SA

Rach -- I love it! I would like to know step-by-step how you did it. I've thought about doing the same thing from time-to-time, but was never sure of the materials I should use or how to glue or tack into place.

-- Amy L.

Great job!! I like the look.

Oh you're right that album needed a cover and you did such a beautiful job! Very classy now.

Lynne

I agree Rach, that looks beautiful.... I too would like step-by-step instructions....lol.... I have a couple of albums that need a "face-lift". Very Impressed, Cec...xxx

I love it!

Melissa in Seattle

You came up with a really great look! What did you use for the white cover? I have one of those books, too, and now I am thinking I might cover it too! :-)

Linda C

What is the white part made of? Is it fabric?

OK, I'm going to try doing step-bystep....

1. Take the album apart, saving the posts (I use post bound albums but others would work.)
2. Cover the front surface with adhesive. ( I used regular glue for this one, but I'll be smarter and get spray next time.)
3. This is optional. I covered it first with a layer of thin batting to block out the design because my cloth was fairly thin. If you use thicker fabric or an album with a less aggressive design, you can skip this. I DIDN'T cover the post end with the batting.
4. Cut two pieces of your fabric about an inch bigger on each side than the cover you are using.

1. Flip the cover and pull the fabric around to the back glue around all the edges. I reinforced mine with staples.
2. Glue gimping (available at any fabric store) over the edges on the inside of the cover. you could use ribbon or anything of that sort. I used double sided tape, because I wasn't sure about hot gluethat close to my pages. Would that be ok to use?
3. Decorate the cover any way you like.
4. Put the album back together and Wala!
5. Oh and follow the same procedure for the back! LOL

I left the inside covers plain but you could glue in a sheet of heavy cardstock or more fabric or anything you want before you put on the gimping. That's what I did. I'm sure there are improvements to this method. If you find one, I'd love to hear about it! lol

The fabric on this one is a very heavy natural muslin which looks surprisingly good with the ribbon. I am going to cover the one in the first picture with a blue and silver celestials fabric I have in my scrap bin and trim it with silver ribbon.

You could really take this ANYWHERE. I was thinking of decopaging one with scrap papers, crisscrossing ribbon over the cover of one to look like one of those French bulletin boards, doing one in upholstery fabric to match my living room, etc.

I hope that makes some sense. I'm terrible at directions.

Hugs, Rach

Wonderful Rach..very nicely done!

It looks wonderful Rach! You did a great job designing a new cover. It definately needed a facelift before you got your hands on it. Now it just looks stunning!

That looks great Rach. Nice and classy. I think a title would look good on it. So give us directions, if you haven't already.

Katrina in KS

I think M-C should add these directions to the website once the hectic around her slows down. Thanks for sharing Rach!

Katrina in KS