Covering old books with cotton fabric

I recently came across this this site

http://pattisonpaperworks.com/project/cottonian-binding-project/

And loved how the books looked with cotton fabric and paper labels. Any thoughts? The site stated that Robert Southey covered some books from his personal library in that manner.

The books I would consider covering with cloth aren't valuable but I'm always hesitant to attach anything permanent to a book. Has anyone tried this at home?

PS - I'm a quilt maker & have lots of reproduction fabrics (to match with publication dates). It would definitely perk up some dead spots in bookshelves.

Is there a difference between book cloth(specially made for book covers) and just regular,normal cotton fabric(suitable for tailoring a wear) ?

Use google:
search:Fabric covered book how to tutorial.html
Click: amyjdelight.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com
search: How to cover a book with fabric cloth

I'm sure there is a difference, but the books at the Pattison Paperworks link are covered in high quality, reproduction cottons manufactured for quilters. (I recognize most of the prints.)

Yep, lots of tutorials on the web for covering books with fabric. But is it better to leave an old and battered hardback as is because the condition of the boards is part of the book's history? Does it take away from the charm/esthetic of the book if one (in effect) gives it a makeover?

Interested to hear what other book lovers think about this. Again, I have tons of hardback books that are old and of little monetary worth. Many are from the late 1800's and have some mold or water damage to their plain jane covers but are still very readable. Better to leave as is? I'm really on the fence here.

How much do I treasure my old books and how rare and valuable are these books to prompt me to send them for restoration? With something else, a muslin

www.rarebookrestoration.com/pages/faq.htm

This isn't something I'd send to an expert. I could do it myself. And it certainly wouldn't be considered restoration.

There is definitely a difference between book cloth and any "regular" cloth. Bookcloth has a barrier which prevents the glue that adheres the cloth to the boards from soaking into the cloth, which would stain and make a mess. The backing also makes it easier to manipulate the cloth while covering the boards.

It is possible (and fun!) to make your own bookcloth. That, of course, widens your options in choice of cloth.

This discussion seems to make a distinction between valuable(Monetarily) books and books that have esthetic value to the collector. If the book has pecuniary or historic value it should be restored or repaired by a trained conservator, in leather or Book cloth. If the book is of esthetic value it can be covered in any manner that pleases the owner. Members of this group love and respect books. Books are valuable because of their content and because of their artistic and creative binding. Bindings can range from the traditional leather to the modern plastics. The integrity of the book can be respected with any binding that pleases the owner.

Thanks, cbellia. I may give it a go with a thrift store book and see what happens. The photo on the Pattison Paperworks link was so intriguing that I feel compelled to put some of my fabric scraps to use.