Fabric Composition Notebook Cover Tutorial

These Composition Notebook Covers are so pretty, they even make to-do lists a little more fun to write!
I am a list writer. I write lists for everything. I make a to-do list every day. Truth be told, sometimes I will write things on my list that I have already done, just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing something off. I know, I’m slightly crazy.

If you have a friend who is addicted to list writing, or who simply likes to take notes or keep a journal, these cute fabric covered composition notebooks make the perfect gift! I was actually given one by a friend several years ago, and I adore it! It is just so fun having a cute notebook to write in. As a bonus, my kids know it’s mine, so it doesn’t get taken, used for scratch paper, and then misplaced.

I take mine with me to blog conferences, and use it to take notes in the classes. Then all my notes are in one place, so I can reference them later. So handy, and so much more functional than having slips of paper everywhere that I couldn’t keep track of. I love some organization in my life, even if it is only in notebook form. 🙂

Composition Notebook Cover Tutorial

Supplies:
– 2 pieces of fabric 11″ x 16 1/8″ for the front cover and inside
-2 pieces of fabric 6″ x 10 3/4″ for the pockets
– 1 piece of fabric 3-4″ x 22″
-Sewing machine/thread
-Iron
-Fabric scissors
-Composition Notebook (9 3/4″ x 7 1/2″)

Instructions:
1- Cut out all your fabric pieces. You can use coordinating fabrics for your pockets and cover, I used the same fabric. It’s cute either way!
2- Sew the ruffle. Fold the 22″ piece of fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam along the edge. Then turn it right side out. (I like to use a dowel stick to help the process along.)  Make sure the seam is in the middle, and iron it flat. Then hand or machine sew a straight stitch up the middle. Gather till you have a ruffle about 11″ long.
3-Pin the ruffle to the front of one of the 11″ x 16 1/8″ pieces, about 3 1/4 inches from the right edge. Sew it down the middle with a straight stitch. This is your outer cover piece.
4- Fold the two 6″ x 10 3/4″ pieces in half lengthwise, and iron along the fold. These are your pocket pieces.
5- Place one pocket piece on each edge of your remaining fabric piece with the folded edges facing towards the middle.
6-Place the piece of fabric with the ruffle face side down on top of the two pocket pieces. Kinda like a sandwich. 🙂
7- Pin all three pieces together, then sew around the edges with a 1/2″ seam. Leave a space about 5″ open at the bottom so you can turn everything right side out. Then clip your corners.
8-Turn right side out, then press all the edges, folding in the raw edges that you left open. Sew the opening shut with a top stitch.
 Here’s a close up:
That’s it! Now you have a pretty little notebook that is all ready to be filled with great ideas. 🙂