DIY Vintage Book Craft with Free Printable Cover

I created this DIY fall vintage bookstack diy because it’s already starting to get cold up here. I always mourn the end of summer, sigh, but fall comes all the same. Thankfully, fall has its perks too. The air turns crisp, the leaves have just begun to tumble, and the coziness of home starts to feel inviting again.

Fall is the time to slow down, settle back indoors, and enjoy simple activities that make life feel warm and comforting. For me, that means little creative projects that add charm to my space, like this easy book craft. It’s a small touch, but it can be made with what’s on hand, and it brings a cozy feeling to a room, especially for those who look forward to snuggling in with a good book.

Here’s the little poem I wrote especially for this diy project. It’s printed right on the book cover printable to give it that nostalgic, vintage storybook feel.

In the hush of autumn’s amber glow,
Old tales do bloom and softly flow;
As pages turn like falling leaves,
They bid the weary heart reprieve—
To rest awhile, to dream, to read,
And find within the words they need.

Fall Book Craft DIY Tutorial

With a little peek around, I bet most of us have all these supplies on hand; if not, everything can be found at Dollar Tree. If you have real dried leaves where you’re living, go ahead and use one instead of the faux ones you see with mine.

Supplies

Step 1 – Remove the Book Cover

This part is easy. I just tugged at the back cover and happily watched it tear away. Do the same for the front cover so you’re left with only the spine and pages.

Step 2 – Smooth the Edge

Give the edges a quick sand with 120-grit paper. It not only makes the book look a little softer and worn, but it also clears away any leftover bits of glue, so everything feels clean and tidy.

Sanding also adds a hint of age that adds charm to any diy vintage books or antique book decor. I find doing that much easier than trying to make little tears or curls in the book pages.

Step 3 – Print and Trim the Cover

Print the free vintage book cover at Best quality on letter-sized paper. I’ve already adjusted it to the right size for you. I used regular printer paper since that’s what I had on hand, but it would be beautiful on rice paper, homemade paper, or parchment. If you use a different paper, remember that the printable already includes the color.

Trim one edge of the printable first, then line it up with your book.

Make a couple of small folds to mark where the next cut should go before trimming again. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just close enough to fit.

Step 4 – Attach the Cover

Once printed, crumble the page lightly with your hands to give it a gentle aging effect. Do not worry about how much. Just a few wrinkles are enough to add that vintage, used, and worn charm.

Apply a thin, even layer of glue stick over the front of the book. Carefully press the printable in place, smoothing it down with your hands, or a roller if you have one. Make sure the edges stick well, then let it dry. The extra step of adding our own DIY book cover turns any paperback into vintage book decor.

Step 5: Decorating the Book

For my version, I took a piece of beautiful tea-stained lace I bought from Temu and wrapped it around the book. Then I twisted the orange leaf so it angled away from the poem, tucked the stem into the knot of the lace, and secured it with a little hot glue. Finally, I added some raffia and tied it to the front of the book for an extra fall touch.

You can easily do the same with leaves in greens, browns, or creams if you prefer a softer look. No matter how you decorate it, the main thing is to keep the poem visible since it is the focal point.

Styling Ideas

Once your vintage fall book craft is finished, there are lots of cozy ways you can display it.

• Place it in a basket with a soft throw and a cushion. You could even slip the fall cover over a romance novel you are looking forward to reading.

• Stack it on top of other books as the top layer of a bundle, then tie them together with ribbon, raffia, or twine. Bundled stacks like this are a classic way to show off upcycled book crafts.

• Set it in a coffee table tray with a faux candle, a crystal dish of candy, and a small vase of flowers or a bowl of pinecones.

As the days grow cooler and the evenings stretch longer, it’s the small touches that make our homes feel more inviting for fall. If you enjoy old book page crafts, this little project is an easy way to try out altered book ideas and give it a new life as a worn novel. Styled with lace, in a basket, or stacked with other DIY antique books, it adds warmth and quietly celebrates the love of a good book.

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