I LOVE quick and easy crafts. This DIY book stack is just that: super simple, easy to make, and oh so pretty! You don’t need to spend a crazy amount of money to get your perfect farmhouse country chic décor.
Just pop into your local Dollar Tree, take a stroll through a thrift or antique store and keep an open mind.

Hey there, I’m so glad you are here! If you enjoy this quick & easy craft tutorial be sure to check out these other DIY crafts on my blog:
- Simple book stack + FREE SVG
- Oh hello leaning porch sign + FREE SVG
- Quick & easy Dollar Tree moss bunny sign
- Flying bat Halloween sign
- Simple reclaimed wood picture holder
- Kid-friendly wood block snowmen ornaments

Affiliate Disclosure. Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if you click on the link or make a purchase using the link. If you make a purchase you will not be charged anything additional.
GIFT BAGS & A STACK OF BOOKS
Those are the main materials you need to make this DIY book stack for your farmhouse decor. Check out this even easier book stack I made using paperback books, my Cricut, and black vinyl. I show you how to apply a decal to the spine of your book stack.
PLACES TO FIND HADCOVER BOOKS:
- dollar store
- thrift store
- garage sale
- old books around the house
- family & friends
- or if you don’t want to use real books you can use scrap wood pieces for a faux book stack
Supplies & materials to make a feminine farmhouse DIY book stack

Floral print farmhouse book stack
Equipment
- 1" foam brush
- ink pen
Materials
- 3 hardcover books
- 3 floral print gift bags
- matte finish mod podge
- antiquing wax
- paper towel
Instructions
- MEASURE & CUT- If the hardcover book has a jacket remove that first. Then, open your book and lay it so that the spine and both the covers are touching the gift bag. Trace around the book, leaving about 1" allowance all the way around the book.
- GLUE- Matte finish mod podge is a great glue for this craft project. But, if you don't have that you can use Elmer's glue. I just don't recommend hot glue as it won't give you a clean smooth finish.
- DISTRESS- Allow the mod podge to mostly dry then you can distress. Using a sanding sponge or a piece of sand paper is a great way to do this. You want to focus on the edges, corners and lightly go over the front and back covers. Start with a light hand then apply more pressure if needed. Wipe with a paper towel to remove the dust.
- ANITQUE WAX- A little bit of wax goes a very long way. Lightly dip the tip of your chip brush bristles into the wax then paint on your book stack. Focus just the same as when you distressed.
How to make a book stack
1. MEASURE & CUT
If the hardcover book has a jacket (aka paper dust covers) remove that first. Second, open your book and lay it so that the spine and both the covers are touching the gift bag. Third, trace around the book, leaving about 1″ allowance all the way around the book.
2. GLUE
Matte finish mod podge is a great glue for this craft project. However, if you don’t have mod podge you can use Elmer’s glue. I just don’t recommend hot glue as it won’t give you a clean smooth finish.
TIPS FOR GLUEING:
- foam brushes work great for this craft
- glue the book spine first, then glue the covers
- use a vinyl squeegee to get the air bubbles out
- use a light hand when pressing the gift bag down
- cut slits to make covering the edges of the book easier
3. DISTRESS
Allow the mod podge to mostly dry then you can distress. Using a sanding sponge or a piece of sandpaper is a great way to do this. You want to focus on the sides of the books, the spine of each book, corners and lightly go over the front and back covers.
Start with a light hand then apply more pressure if needed. Wipe with a paper towel to remove the dust.

4. ANITQUE WAX
One of my favorite things to use is antiquing wax. It gives so much character to DIY craft projects. A little bit of wax goes a very long way. First, lightly dip the tip of your chip brush bristles into the wax. Next, paint the dark wax on your book stack. You want to focus just the same as when you distressed.
CLICK HERE for more tips on how to apply antique wax.

Now, cover a couple more books with gift bags and you will have yourself a chic farmhouse book stack.

I hope you enjoyed this DIY craft tutorial. If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below.
Happy Crafting!