Everything is about making a fashion statement these days! Whether you do it with a tote bag, shoes, hat or jacket, you are making a statement. The moment you step out of your door, you are showing the world what you like! Here is another accessory to add to the mix!
I started covering softcover journals and notebooks that I write in. Huge improvement from the scraped covers and curled edges of my books. I really am a hot mess, so I have to create things that fit my lifestyle - to save me from myself! Not kidding so from personal experience, I will say, a journal cover could save the cover and pages of your precious book. It also looks good using a fabric that interests you and you get to hide your book from wandering eyes. Do you ride public transportation; a bus or train - with tons of people in your space? Perfect! This will be useful, and nice, to have!
If you prefer to watch the video, watch it here:
The cover you will be making here will fit books like this:
As shown in the picture below, you will need:
1 outer fabric - 10"h X 14"w
1 Inner lining - 10"h X 14"w
2 coordinating fabrics (or same outer) - 10"h X 7"w
1 Fusible Fleece interface - 10"h X 14"w
(My flaps were cut at 10x7; resulting in a 3" wide flap when complete. If you would like your flaps to be wider than the blue flaps shown above, you can always make the width of your flap larger so when you fold it, it will produce a larger flap.)
Begin the project.
1. Fold both flaps in half so that wrong sides face each other. Iron if desired for a crease.
2. Apply interface to the back of the outer cover fabric.
(Fusible Fleece is preferred for the padding protection. You can use sew-in interface if you do not have fusible fleece. I just prefer for the interface not to shift. I also find it to be a thicker interface, making the padding soft to the touch when complete.)
3. Place your folded flaps with the right side of the fabric touching the right side of the lining fabric. Raw edges should face outwards on both sides.
4. Place the outer fabric on top of this fabric. The right side of your cover should be face down on top of the flaps and inner lining. Interface should be facing you.
5. Sew around all four sides of the rectangle fabric, using 1/4" seam allowances. Leave a 4 inch gap in the middle of the project to turn right side out.
(I leave my opening at the bottom. If you would like to add a ribbon between these layers, to create a bookmark option, leave your opening at the top of the project and insert the ribbon.)
* Do not leave the opening on the far left or right sides. These areas will be your flaps. The fabric will be thicker to fold under for closure.
6. Clip corners of fabric to reduce bulk when turning right side out. Watch your stitches.
7. Turn cover right side out. Poke out your corners with a chopstick or eraser on a pencil. Be sure not to poke too hard so you don't create a hole in fabric.
8. Flatten/smooth out cover - pushing down seams. Iron to prepare for topstitch.
9. Topstitch around entire rectangle using 1/8" seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch.
10. Place your book, or journal, inside of the cover. Shift the book to fit comfortably.
Viola! All done! Quick and easy project for yourself, or the bibliophile in your life! I am quite excited about this project because I have a few different methods I want to use incorporating my love of the Cricut with fabric and journal covers. I can't wait to share them with you all. (I'll post an update picture here at a later date when I get to doing that).
If you do this project, tag me on IG so I can see your projects! I'd love to see what you're sewing! These are just a few of what I have done.
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