Natty Notebook Cover

Add the personal touch to your diary or notepad

Posted by HotPinkCrayola

About

I learnt how to do this at school when I was 11 years old. Nearly 14 years later I'm still using it! A simple way to personalise a diary or notepad.

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • Pretty Fabric
  • Lining Fabric (optional)
  • Decorations (optional)
  • Sewing Machine (can be hand sewn too)

Steps (8 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Measure your book. You need the height, plus the width when open (make sure to include the spine).

  2. 2

    Draw out a rectangle the size of your book, plus 2cm seam allowance (so if your book measured 6 inches by 4 inches, you'd make a rectangle 8 inches by 6 inches).
    Cut one from your pretty fabric, and one from your lining (if you're using a lining - you don't have to).

  3. 3

    On your pretty fabric, also cut out two more rectangles measuring three inches by your book height plus 2cm seam allowance (so using our example above, 3 inches by 6 inches).

  4. 4

    At this point, hem everything (should take up 1cm of your seam allowance). If you're using a lining, place it back to back with the big rectangle, them hem the pretty fabric over it so it is encased.

  5. 5

    Layer your fabrics as so:
    - Lining face down (if using - it'll be sewn into the big rectangle anyway!).
    - Big rectangle face up.
    - Small rectangles face down.

    Sewn where indicated in purple (so round the outside edges of the little rectangles). For a really secure edge using a sewing machine, sew round with a running stitch first, trim the excess to about 2mm, then sew over the edges with a zigzag stitch. If you're hand sewing, use a back stitch.

  6. 6

    Fold your small rectangles back on themselves so they over lap the lining/ back of the big rectangle if no lining was used. Everything should now be right side out.

  7. 7

    Decorate your book cover however you like. Add a strap to keep it closed, add lace trim, appliqué or paint on images and text, bead it, embroider it... it's really up to you! I used to sew pockets onto the small rectangles too to keep pens in.

  8. 8

    The book should slip into the flaps created by the small rectangles and stay there securely. If not, you may need to make the smaller rectangles slightly wider - try 4 inches instead of 3 inches.