Fabric Notebook Cover

Homemade fabric notebook covers are perfect gifts to personalize for those special friends in your life.  The particular cover used for this tutorial I made for a friend who loves hightop converse shoes, and favorite colors are black and pink.  I think tailoring a handmade gift to a specific person shows the time and thought that was involved in making the gift, making it special to both the creator and gift receiver.  

One of the best attributes of these covers is that they are reusable.  Once the notebook is used up, you can just replace it with a new one.

In this tutorial, I will take you step by step through the basics of how to make your own appliques as well as how to construct the cover its self.  Once you get the hang of the basics, you will be able to explore so many other possibles to make your own unique cover.  

Check out some of my other finished covers at the end of the tutorials to see what I mean about the possibilities of designing something of your very own.  

Being creative can be so much fun!  So let's get the creativity started!!!

Step 1 Materials Needed

• Most importantly, you will need fabric.  You can use as many or as few patterns as you want to include.

• If you would like your notebook to be a little more sturdier and more professionally made in appearance, I suggest buying a light-weight fusible interface to apply to the wrong side of the fabric.  Interface is pretty cheap, around $1-$2 a yard and can be found at JoAnn Fabrics.

• Also, you will need a notebook in which you plan to use for the project.  You can use any size desired, but for this tutorial I will be giving definitions for a 10 1/2" x 8" notebook.  Whatever notebook you decide to use, I suggest one that is cheap and easy to find.  I got about 10 notebooks during back to school shopping at Walmart for only $0.10 apiece.  If you do choose a different size of notebook, I will explain how to figure the corresponding measurements on your own.

• A cutting mat and rotary cutter is not necessary, but highly recommended for accurate cutting.  Here is a link that shows how to use these tools.  I know they can be expensive, but I got a kit with all three pieces (cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter) for $25 with a 50% coupon at JoAnn Fabrics.  So if these tools are something you are interested in buying, look around at the options and take advantage to sales and coupons.

• Also, you will need some applique adhesive, shown in the second picture below.  This can also be found at JoAnn Fabrics for about $3, and will last you for multiple projects. (depending on the size of the appliques you are doing)

• Embroidery thread and a needle will be needed to stitch around the appliques to insure they stay intact.  Or even just some regular sewing thread, doubled up through the needle, will create the same effect.  I use the embroidery thread pictured below.

• A sewing machine is helpful as well, but this can all be done by hand if wished.

• Scissors and a iron will also be needed for this project.