I used warm and natural and left it out of the "bound" edge side. Then when I top stitched around each page, I stitched the thinner bound edge together sort of backwards...1/2 of the pages top 1/2 bottom covers together and then folded correctly with covers on the outside and stitched again. Looked wonderful, washable, not too puffy and kids still get them out at 6 and 9!