How to Turn Book Covers Into Shin Guard Sleeves

Shin guards offer soccer players a padded form of protection. Worn under a knee-length sock, a shin guard is made with or without a stirrup that fits around the bottom of the foot, and with or without a Velcro strap that attaches under the knee to keep it in place. Shin guards can move and shift on the legs when their cloth interiors absorb sweat, which can cause injury or discomfort during play. Using a book cover to create a protective sleeve provides an economical solution to preventing shin guard slippage.

Things You'll Need

  • Polyester or polyurethane book cover
  • Tape measure
  • Iron (optional)
  • Pencil
  • Shin guard
  • Scissors
  • Needle
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a polyester or polyurethane book cover that has elasticity. This will allow the shin guard sleeve to stretch so you can fit it over your foot, ankle and calf muscle. You will slide the shin guard into it.

    • 2

      Measure the circumference of the widest part of your lower leg, typically the mid-calf area, with a tape measure. Add two inches to account for the width of the shin guard.

    • 3

      Flatten the fabric book cover and iron it, if necessary. This will prevent wrinkles from interfering with your measurements. Place the tape measure horizontally on the book cover and mark your width, including the extra two inches as taken in Step 2, with a pencil.

    • 4

      Put your shin guard face down on the book cover. Measure length: Mark one inch above the top and one inch below the bottom of the shin guard with a pencil.

    • 5

      Cut the fabric book cover, according to your markings for length and width. Thread a needle with the same color thread as the book cover fabric. Place the fabric on a flat surface, horizontally. Pull the sides together and sew a vertical seam the length of the material to create a sleeve.

    • 6

      Pull the shin guard sleeve over your leg, starting at the foot. Position it below your knee and above your ankle. Push the shin guard into the top of the sleeve. Fold excess material from the sleeve under the shin guard. Pull your soccer sock over the shin guard and sleeve.