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Tutorial: Quick Notebook Cover

March 20, 2008 By Spoonful of Sugar - 24 Comments

Someone asked me recently for instructions on how to make a notebook cover. This is a super easy and quick notebook cover. It took approximately one hour. Sarah has now claimed it as her own. Fortunately I purchased two notebooks so will now have to get started on one for myself!  

Requirements:
• cover fabric
• lining fabric
• flannette
• 1 x button
• small piece of elastic
  1 x eyelet
• notebook with a sturdy bound cover (I found a great A6 sized one at Office Works)

Seam allowance: ¼ inch

1. To calculate the size of the fabric, measure notebook length from top to bottom and add 1 inch to this measurement. Measure notebook width from front cover to back cover (including width of spine) and add 5 inches to this measurement.

2. Cut out the fabric to the size you calculated. Cut out one piece in the main cover fabric, one in the lining fabric and one in the flannette.

3. Layer the fabric so that the right sides of the main and lining fabric are facing, with the flannel placed under the lining fabric, and pin to hold layers together.

4. Sew around the edge of the fabric using ¼ inch seam allowance and leaving a 3 inch gap for turning.

5. Clip the corners, and then turn the cover so the right side is on the outside using a chopstick or turning stick to get nice sharp points in the corners. Pin the gap in the cover. Press the cover.

6. Place the cover on the notebook so that it is centred and fold the flaps in under the notebook so that both sides are even (approx 2 1/4 inch). Pin the flaps in place. Sew along the top and bottom of the cover, sewing the flaps in place, and enclosing the gap in the cover as you sew. You will need to use a 1/8 inch seam and go through all layers.

7. Position eyelet inside back flap approximately 1/3 of the way down from the top and near to the crease and attach following directions.

8. Position button near front edge of notebook cover approximately 1/3 of the way down from the top.

9. Thread a loop of thin elastic through eyelet and cut to size. Secure by sewing through both ends of elastic and notebook cover. Press and then Voila!!

 You could adapt the design by using a patchwork cover. Instead of using the button and elastic you could either omit this altogether or use a fabric tab and velcro to hold the notebook closed.

If you make up one of these, let me know, I would love to see the pics. The possibilities are endless!

Posted by Lisa

Filed Under: Sewing, Sewing Tutorials

« Ideas File
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Comments

  1. Collins says

    March 21, 2008 at 5:28 am

    I can’t wait to do this. I have the perfect Nancy Drew fabric to make one for my daughter! Thank you

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    March 21, 2008 at 1:41 am

    Fab tute!

    Reply
  3. Lace says

    March 21, 2008 at 4:29 am

    Hey Gals!
    Thanks for posting on my blog! I just started it a few weeks back, so I get so excited when someone actually writes to me!! HAha! Great Notebook Cover, Luckily my husband brought home a couple of notebooks from work last week….(very ugly and ordinary) this cover should spice them up! By the end of the day I hope to have my never-ending quilt finished and pictures posted!!! (fingers crossed!) Cheers!

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth says

    March 21, 2008 at 8:21 am

    How very clever and nicely made! Thanks for visiting my blog. That is so cute that you and your daughter share your blog. We are about the same age…40 something, although my daughters are 22, and 18.
    Where did you get your labels that you sewed into the book cover?

    Reply
  5. MamaBlogger says

    March 21, 2008 at 9:00 pm

    Great tutorial and I love that you guys share a blog! I hope my daughter and I can do that when she’s older (she’s 2, we have quite a ways to go!) thanks for the nice comment on my blog!

    Reply
  6. Florence says

    March 22, 2008 at 3:59 am

    I love this fabric…I’ve recently bought the charm pack of Urban Chicks Swell…but oh to have such lovely large pieces to work with!

    Thank you for your comment on my blog. x

    Reply
  7. Suzy says

    March 23, 2008 at 1:46 pm

    What a great tutorial! I will definitely be trying it out.

    suzy

    Reply
  8. Marcia says

    March 23, 2008 at 7:00 am

    This was my first trip to your blog, and what did I find? A wonderful tutorial! I love me a good tut. Thanks! I’ll be back for sure.

    Reply
  9. Katie says

    March 23, 2008 at 5:04 pm

    what a great blog! thanks for stopping by mine, and for the tut!

    Reply
  10. Erna says

    March 25, 2008 at 2:18 am

    that notebook cover is so nice! Immediately want to make one myself…think I just go to town to get the supplies and whip one up today!!

    Lovely blog! and thanx for visiting mine too! xx

    Reply
  11. Melissa says

    March 25, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    Thanks for posting this tutorial- love your fabric choice.

    Reply
  12. Fiona @ Dragonfly-Crafts says

    March 27, 2008 at 2:35 am

    Wow! This looks great. Thanks for sharing, I’ve got an idea for this so I will use your wonderful tutorial.
    Thanks for popping over to my blog too.
    Hope to see you back.
    Hugs Fiona

    Reply
  13. Kate says

    March 29, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Great tutorial and love that fabric – it is one of my favourites at the moment!

    Reply
  14. Cicada Studio says

    April 2, 2008 at 7:23 am

    Thanks for posting on my blog! Now we’re even because I’m sure I can use this tutorial for a little project I’ve been planning for a while, but haven’t wrapped my brain around the details. This helps immensely!

    Reply
  15. Ginger says

    May 18, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    Wow nice tutorial haven’t ,made a tutorial yet.That was a great idea looks so pretty, nice, neat look to it. Gives me a idea for father’s day .
    Love it !

    Reply
  16. Holly says

    June 1, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    Rats! Another tutorial to add to my growing list of “must dos”… Sew Fun!

    Reply
  17. dancin_puffin says

    July 23, 2008 at 2:02 am

    Brilliant! But you make it look so easy 🙂 I must dust off my sewing machine and get it down from the loft. Oh and I’d better learn how to use it properly too rather than foot to the floor and hope for the best! I have a diary and some fabric so there isn’t a lot stopping me! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  18. Marita says

    August 4, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    Thanks I used this tute, and was really happy with the result. Found the eyelet a little tricky, will need to practice and make a few more. Thanks!

    Reply
  19. Missie Krissie says

    September 7, 2008 at 7:27 am

    Wow, you’re so clever! And yes I am in the process of reading back through all your posts! So many great ideas, so little time!

    Reply
  20. Helen Cox says

    April 8, 2009 at 1:16 am

    Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m definitely going to have a go. Time to start picking out fabrics and notebooks methinks. I’m so glad to have discovered your blog.

    Reply
  21. peachy says

    January 2, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    wow looks great!! i’ll have to handsew it as i don’t have a machine. but i can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  22. Al-Samt says

    March 6, 2010 at 10:31 am

    like the idea

    thanx …. have a nice day

    Reply
  23. Julie Hancock says

    August 13, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Can you explain attatching the elastic? I wasn’t sure about where you sew the elastic to attach.

    Reply
  24. Julie Hancock says

    August 13, 2012 at 11:13 am

    Can you explain attatching the elastic? I wasn’t sure about where you sew the elastic to attach.

    Reply

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