Illustrated Instructions for a Sikh Prayer Book Cover

Sew a Sikh Prayer Book Cover

Gurbani mean the Guru's word. Sikhs read or recite Gurbani in a set of five prayers every day which are known as Nitnem. Sikh prayers are bound in a hand held Gurbani prayer book called a gutka. Books such as the Amrit Kirtan hymnal are sometimes referred to as a pothi, meaning sacred book. Sikhs have a high regard for the scriptures in prayer books and hymnals which include verses from the Guru Granth Sahib.

Gurbani Prayer books and hymnals are to be handled with respect and ought not to be touched with out first washing hands. They are not to be left lying around and ought not to touch the floor. A Gurbani prayer book cover is a respectful way to keep the outer hard cover of Sikh prayer books and hymnals clean and protect them from damage. A cloth Gurbani prayer book cover for your Nitnem gutka or Amrit Kirtan pothi is easy to make.

Skill level - Easy. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Tools needed:

• Sewing machine.
• Scissors.
• Straight pins.
• Tape measure.

Materials needed for the prayer book cover:

• Fabric - 1/8 to 1/2 yard.
• Thread to match, or of a contrasting color.

Sew a Pothi Pouch for Your Gurbani Prayer Book
DIY Baby's First Prayerbook With Sikhism Theme Illustrated Instructions

Measure Fabric for a Sikh Prayer Book Cover

Measure Fabric for Gurbani Prayer Book Cover

You will need to determine the proper size to cut the fabric you choose for your Gurbani prayerbook slip cover.

• Open your nitnemgutka, prayer book or hymnal and lay it flat on the fabric you will use for your prayer book cover.
• Allow about an inch to an inch and a half of extra fabric for the top upper and bottom lower edges.
• For the sides, allow enough extra fabric to cover one half to two thirds of each side of your book. There should be enough so that once it is folded and hemmed, one third to half of each side of the Gurbani prayer book is covered on the inside.

Hem the Sikh Prayer Book Cover

Hem the Gurbani Prayer Cover

Hem all the edges of the Gurbani prayer book cover:

• Fold the right side of the raw edge of the fabric in about 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch.
• Fold again to turn the edge under and pin every 1 - 3 inches.
• To miter corners, make a diagonal fold at each corner before turning under the edge to hem.
• Sew long the inner edge of the hem, stitching the hem of your prayer book cover all the way around.

Center the Sikh Prayer Book on Hemmed Cover

Center Gurbani Prayer Book on Hemmed Slip Cover

Place the Gurbani prayer book on the hemmed fabric. Position the hemmed slip cover so that the spine of prayer book or hymnal is exactly at the center.

Pin One Side of the Sikh Prayer Book Cover in Place

Pin Gurbani Prayer Book Slip Cover in Place on One Side

Fold the right side of the hemmed edge of the Gurbani prayer book cover over one side of the book so that it makes a pocket, and pin in place. The pocket should cover at one third to half of each side of the prayer book's inner cover.

Pin Sikh Prayer Book Cover on Both Sides

Pin Gurbani Prayer Book Cover on Both Sides

Pin the second side of the Gurbani prayer book cover in place. Adjust so that the cover is snug. Close the prayer book with the slip cover pinned in place to be sure that it is not too snug or loose. When you are sure the fit is correct, remove the prayer book cover.

Stitch Sikh Prayer Book Cover at Edges

Stitch Gurbani Prayer Book Cover at Edges

Sew the Gurbani prayer book cover.

• Stitch along the top of one side of the prayer book cover pocket close to the outer edge.
• Stitch along the bottom edge of the pocket to complete the first side.
• Repeat for the second side of the prayer book cover.

Slip Sikh Prayer Book Into Cover on First Side

Slip Gurbani Prayer Book Cover Into Cover on First Side

Slip the Gurbani prayer book into one of the finished pockets of the prayer book cover.

Slip Gurbani Prayer Book Into Cover on Second Side

Open the Gurbani prayer book and fold both sides of the prayer book back. Fit the second side of the prayer book into the remaining pocket of the sprayer book cover. Close the prayer book.

Gurbani Prayer Book With Cover in Pothi Pouch

When the finished prayer book cover is in place it protects the Gurbani prayer book or hymnal from finger prints and dust. A prayer book cover is a respectful way to care for your Nitnemgutka or Amrit Kirtanpothi.
Make a Pothi Pouch for the Prayer Book