Less than a week and my kids are back to school, yikes. So, of course I'm frantically scrambling to make sure all the supplies are bought, backpacks ready, new clothes (that actually fit) washed, etc. etc. In the midst of this craziness though, I decided to take a little fun break and make new notebook covers for their composition notebooks.
And, I put together this tutorial for you as well, in case you'd like to make some, too.
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This notebook cover fits a regular 9 3/4" x 7 1/2" composition notebook.
Use 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.
Use 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise noted.
materials needed: 1/2 yard exterior fabric (quilting cotton)
1 FQ lining fabric (quilting cotton)
one 1 1/2" x 11" strip of contrasting fabric for spine of notebook cover
one 1 1/2" x 11" strip of contrasting fabric for spine of notebook cover
11" x 16" rectangle of SF101 or other medium weight interfacing of choice
cutting: exterior fabric: cut two 11" tall x 14" wide rectangles
lining fabric: cut one 11" tall x 16" wide rectangle
interfacing: cut one 11" tall x 28 1/2" wide rectangle
1. Arrange fabric for the exterior of the cover as shown in picture below. Stitch all three parts together and press the seams towards the spine. The
panel now measures 11" x 28 1/2".
2. Fuse 11" x 28 1/2" interfacing to the wrong side of the main panel following manufacturer's directions. Use 1/8" seam allowance to topstitch along both sides middle strip.
4. Place the main panel right side up on a flat surface. Form the flaps by folding the main
fabric over at 5 1/2" mark from the edges of the main panel (your main panel now measures 11" x 16"). Pin, stitch
in place using 1/8" seam allowance.

5. Place lining fabric right side up on a flat surface. Place main panel right side down on top. Align all the edges and pin together.
6. Stitch all the way around, making sure to leave a 4" opening in the bottom seam for turning.
7. Clip the corners, press the seams open, and turn the cover right side out through the opening from the previous step. Push the corners out to make them nicely pointy.
8. Press, pin the opening closed, and stitch all the way around the cover using 1/8" seam allowance.
9. Give it one more quick press and you're all finished!!!
Wasn't that easy? Now go ahead and make covers for all your notebooks. They make great teacher gifts, too :).
And, as always, if you make a project using any of my tutorials please add it to my Flickr group. I love seeing all your amazing creations.
Svetlana
Cute - love the typewriter fabric one!!
ReplyDeleteGreat project. I just bought a stack of these composition books too. They were on sale at Office Max 10 for a dollar. Now I can get busy making covers for them.
ReplyDeletexx Beca
SEW fun! Thank you! Janita
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your tutorial! My only child is now 30 and received her Masters Degree in Business two years ago, so I really have no one to make them for. Yet, recently I have been reading and searching for notebook covers and book covers. LOL. I do believe with your wonderful tutorial, I am going to make a few. Sitting here typing this, it clicked that these notebooks, covered, would make wonderful Christmas gifts for everyone I know that uses them. So, a heartfelt Thank You for Sharing is being sent your way! I hope that you have a wonderful creative day and that all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the new school year will give you many moments of happiness, laughter and love for everything you do!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your tutorial! My only child is now 30 and received her Masters Degree in Business two years ago, so I really have no one to make them for. Yet, recently I have been reading and searching for notebook covers and book covers. LOL. I do believe with your wonderful tutorial, I am going to make a few. Sitting here typing this, it clicked that these notebooks, covered, would make wonderful Christmas gifts for everyone I know that uses them. So, a heartfelt Thank You for Sharing is being sent your way! I hope that you have a wonderful creative day and that all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the new school year will give you many moments of happiness, laughter and love for everything you do!
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea! Thanks for sharing another awesome tutorial, I may need to make one to keep all my to do lists in one place! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is super cute! One quick question for an amateur like me: in step 4, it looks like the exterior fabric if folded in on itself to 5.5 inches, but then folded back out. What's the measurement for the second fold (the one right side out). Looks to be maybe 1.5-2 inches. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThe flaps stay folded at 5.5". Flaps and cover exterior are right sides together, it's the spine that's in the middle. Hope this helps.
DeleteLooks perfect! It's time to make new note book covers! Thank you for the simple tutorial! x Teje
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! I've been meaning to make some notebook covers for ages (mainly so I can quickly see which notebook is for what - a bit of a notebook addict!). Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHannah x
Http://crafternooncabaretclub.com
Great tutorial! I've been meaning to make some notebook covers for ages (mainly so I can quickly see which notebook is for what - a bit of a notebook addict!). Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHannah x
Http://crafternooncabaretclub.com
I've always used an extra bit of fabric for the flaps, but this is a good variation, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteGREAT tutorial!! I don't have any kids, but I'll be making a few of these for myself! Thanks
ReplyDelete