Fabric Covered Sketchbook

Every designer needs a sketchbook. It's even better when your sketchbook is super pretty to look at.

Posted by Beth W.

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DIY Fabric Sketch Book Cover

DESIGN TIP
Before you cut your fabric, fold it into the finished size. Does your fabric look good in a swatch this size? Small print fabrics are better suited for a small sketch book while a large print fabric would work better on a large sketch book. If you have a border print fabric or a print with a lot of variation, you might want to "fussy cut" the fabric so that you are using the perfect section of fabric for your cover.

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You Will Need (1 thing)

  • Sketchbook

Steps (8 steps, 40 minutes)

  1. 1

    Supplies:
    Wire ring sketch book with removable cover (This is important if you want to replace the entire cover. A coil binding will not work.)
    Light to Medium Weight Cotton Fabric, cut to same size as cover
    Tag Board or Card Stock
    Tacky Glue
    Hole Punch
    Rotary Cutter or Exacto
    Clear Contact Paper

  2. 2

    Remove the cover from the sketchbook.

  3. 3

    Cut a new cover from tag board and mark the holes for the binding using original cover as a guide. Use the hole punch to make holes where marked. (You can wait until later to punch the holes if your hole punch is particularly strong.)

  4. 4

    Using Tacky glue thinned with a few drops of water, brush glue over tag board. Adhere fabric to tag board and set under heavy books overnight or until very dry and flat. (Don't forget to iron your fabric before gluing it down!)

  5. 5

    Cut a piece of contact paper 1 inch larger than the cover on all sides. For example, if your notebook is 5 x 8 inches, cut your contact paper 7 x 10 inches. Cut away the corners of the contact paper and adhere to the fabric side of the sketchbook cover. Smooth with a bone folder.

  6. 6

    Fold the excess edges of the contact paper over to the back side of the sketch book cover. Pull the contact paper taut with one hand and use the bone folder to smooth it onto the sketchbook cover starting at the edge and moving inward.

  7. 7

    Cut a second piece of contact paper just large enough to cover the back area that is not already covered. Adhere and smooth with a bone folder.

  8. 8

    Using a hole punch, punch holes through contact paper and fabric where marked. You may need to trim a bit with scissors. Put the cover on your sketchbook and you're ready to go!