Back-to-School and the Environment

Here in Baden-Württemberg, school has started again. 

New school year, new textbooks

In 2024, I pleaded not to use that awful plastic for book covers again, but to use fabric book covers instead, for the sake of the environment. Grandma sews, and her grandson gets to choose (used) fabric. 

So in 2024, book covers were sewn for my grandson from old, discarded bedding. 

In 2025, my grandson came and said, “Grandma, could you... one book needs a cover.” 

This year, there were 4 new books that needed covers. Ghosts and dinosaurs are out. That’s why 2 of them got neutral covers made from the parents’ old bedding. 

And the favorite, with a big “Oh, how great, Graaandma,” was the cover with the dachshunds.

He loves dachshunds, and I discovered the fabric in my aunt’s stash.

Now everything is fine again for another year, and all the books are well protected. The teachers are happy. 

Did you get to help out for the start of school this year? Did you do any crafts, crochet, or sew as well?

Best regards to all of you

Petra 

Dear Ina, yes, I’ve also thought about a sewing group. Right now I’m promoting my book covers a little to draw attention to them, but unfortunately I haven’t heard anything back yet. But never mind, I’ll keep going with my upcycling ideas.<\/p>

And yes, time and again, the way I do things is well received in the family, and they embrace it. <\/p>

I’m curious to see how your grandson reacts. Will he be able to resist his favorite fabric or motifs, or maybe he’ll be thrilled.  <\/p>

I think the idea of sewn book covers has a bright future, since there are suitable—and cool—fabrics for every age group. And maybe that’ll make learning just a little bit more fun.

Woolly greetings

Irene

Dear Petra, 

I’d have the perfect fabrics for my 4-year-old granddaughter right away, but it’s a bit trickier with my 8-year-old grandson. Right now, he’s into ninjas—and I’m not. They definitely shouldn’t look cute. I think I’ll start with the “girls’ book covers” and then see what he comes up with. Thanks so much for the idea, anyway. 

Schools should offer a course on “sustainability.” That would benefit everyone! It would make much more sense than a lot of what’s currently on the curriculum.

Best regards, Ina

Either way, this is a great idea to help protect the environment and let children experience sustainability firsthand; it gets kids on board faster than you might think, because they often pick up on more than we realize.

Best, Inge

It’s a lovely idea and a great execution.

Unfortunately, this isn’t allowed at our schools because then you can’t tell exactly which book or notebook it is 🙄—here, only clear covers are allowed on the books 😢