Covered Journals

I don’t remember where I found instructions for constructing composition book covers – there are so many great tutorials on the internet, not to mention the great blogs written by fellow fabric lovers!  Eventually I compiled instructions and modified them to create a Crazy Quilt version such as the one shown here.

Here are the basic instructions for making the cover (not including the modification to create a Crazy Quilt pattern):

Composition Book Cover

Materials needed

2 Pieces of fabric 16” x 10 ¾” – Outer cover and lining

2 pieces of fabric 10 ¾ x 13 ½” – cover flaps

14” ribbon – book mark

Instructions

Flaps

For each side, fold fabric in half, wrong sides together; press and pin along the fold. 

Assembling the cover

Place outside piece, face up, on mat.  Find the center, then pin the ribbon to the center.  Put Flap pieces down on each side of outside piece, matching raw edges together; pin in place.  Place lining piece, right side down, on top; pin.  Mark the curved corners using the composition book corners, to create the stitching line.  Start sewing 3-4” from the bottom edge of one side, using a ¼” seam allowance.  Leave a gap for turning.  Remove pins as you sew, but be careful of pin holding the ribbon – if removed too soon, the ribbon might shift and not be sewn down.  Press seams, trim corners, then turn right side out.  Use a turner to poke corners out.  Press seams, turning the raw edges of the turning gap in.  Pin all outside edges, then edge-stitch 1/8” from the edge.  Press.  Insert composition book.

For you quilters, I know you can imagine how to create a quilted piece to serve as your outer piece.  You can also make this with a solid piece of fabric, but it will look better if you do some decorative quilting on it before sewing the cover.  I did some with just solid pieces of fabric, and they are not as attractive – see below:

However, if you are just looking for a quick cover idea, this will work and takes less time!

By the way, a quick tip on inserting the composition book:  slide one side into the flap, then bend the other side back a little before sliding into the other flap.  Once in straight, then gradually bring the covers together and the book will slide into place.  Another fun way to use up that fabric, and a great gift item for anyone who journals or for a student taking notes in class!