Tutorial: Book Cover

 Handbooks get rough treatment. Faith in God books get lost. Here is a fairly simple cover you can make for you son's handbook that includes a handy pocket for his Faith in God book. (I don't know the measurements for the Duty to God book, but I am sure a clever mama - or sewist dad - could accommodate it.)

You'll need:

26" x 8 3/4" piece outer fabric. I used an all-weather canvas, because I was lucky to find it in the remnant bin. A heavy-duty canvas is great for protecting books, but be warned it will require a heavy duty needle (14 or 16). A fabric that doesn't fray much is best for this project, because we are not going to bother hemming any edges.

14" x 8 3/4" piece of fabric for lining and 6" x 8 3/4" piece for pocket. You can use pretty much any scraps you have on hand here. I used a typical quilting cotton.

1 1/2 yards 1" grosgrain ribbon

4" strip velcro

Fold pocket piece in half, right sides together. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew along one side. Clip corner. Turn right-side-out and press.

Line unfinished edges of pocket with unfinished edges of canvas on right side of canvas. Baste 1/4" from edge. Sew finished edge as close to the edge as you can.

On the other end (still the right side) center the soft (loop) side of the velcro about 3 1/2" from the end and sew on.

Turn the canvas over to the wrong side. You will attach the lining to the end with the velcro. I used quilt basting spray to attach it temporarily. If you prefer pins, double-stick tape or basting with the machine, do that.

You're going to finish the short ends now with some ribbon. I have learned the best way to do this is with a zig-zag stitch so that you can be sure to catch both sides. Fold the ribbon in half over the end, like binding, and zig-zag on. Make sure to tie the ends of your zig-zag. Trim the ends of the ribbon and use Fray Check or other fray-preventing liquid.

Fold velcro end over, leaving about 1/4" between velcro and fold (velcro should still be on the outside, not folded under). Baste this new pocket down on both ends.

Fold the other end in so that the total width of the cover is now about 15". Baste this down as well.

Finish the top and bottom with ribbon in the same way as above.

 

Center the hook side of the velcro about 3/8" from the end on the side with the pocket and sew on.

You're all finished. Now you just need to add the books. This was sized for the Webelos book, so it will be a bit loose on the smaller books, but it will still work for them. Slip the front cover in first, then slide the back cover into the pocket on back.

(This project was inspired by a post I saw a while back about making a personal progress book holder with your girls.)

Great Resource for Cub Scouters

"We'd like you to be the den leader for the Wolves and Bears. We can't get you two-deep leadership, but you can just meet in the same room as the Webelos. Sis. Smith will be over them, and they meet at the same time."

If you have ever had this conversation, you will probably be as excited as I was when I found this website:

http://cubscout.lds-scouting.org/ldscubscouts.aspx

Even if you haven't had that conversation, you should check it out. They have many great resources for LDS Cub Scouters, but I think the real goldmine is their "LDS Delivery Method." They have set up an entire year of den plans based on the above scenario, which can be typical in wards with small programs. They have taken all the overlaps from the different levels and set things up so that, if you want to, all three dens can start out the den meeting together, then the Webelos can break off and do their own thing in a different part of the room, and Bears and Wolves can continue to work together. They have also more evenly distributed achievements and electives throughout the year, so that no matter when a boy's birthday is, he will begin working on achievements right away. They even show how to work in Faith in God and the Articles of Faith. I wish I had had this when I was a den leader.

A little history

I knew some of this, but not all of it. I knew that the LDS Church was the BSA's first chartered organization, but I didn't know it was at the invitation of the BSA.
(This is from the brand new training aimed specifically at LDS Wolf and Bear Den Leaders):

In 1875, Brigham Young organized the Young Men Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA or MIA) to provide leisure-time activities for the young men of the Church. Later, athletics became part of the program.

As news of the organization of the Boy Scouts of England in 1907 and the Boy Scouts of America in 1910 was received by the Church leaders, the Scouting idea was investigated by the Athletic Committee of the YMMIA. On November 29, 1911, the MIA Scouts were officially recognized by the General Board of the YMMIA. The MIA Scouts, upon invitation from the BSA National Council, became a part of the Boy Scouts of America on May 21, 1913. This is the BSA’s longest formal partnership with a national chartered organization.