Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Tuesday Tutorial ---- Notebook Cover

Today's tutorial is for a composition notebook cover.





Supplies Needed:


Three co-ordinating fabrics
 Warm N' Natural batting
Notebook
27 inches of 1/2" wide lace
27 inches of 1/4 inch wide ribbon
3 - 4" circles of fabric
1 inch circle of felt
2 buttons
matching thread
Directions:



My notebook is 9 3/4 inches x 7 1/2 inches and the fabric is cut to fit this size.   If your notebook is a different size you will have to make adjustments when cutting out your fabric.

Cut the main fabric, lining fabric, pocket fabric and batting 27 inches wide by 11 inches tall.

Fold the pocket fabric in half lengthwise and press.   Stitch your lace to the folded  top edge of the pressed edge.

Lay the pocket fabric on top of the main fabric lining it up with the bottom edge.

Stitch the pocket to the sides and bottom of the main fabric and stitch the pocket seams from left to right at theses intervals,  5 1/2 in, 8 in., 8 in. 2 in. and 3 1/2 in. 
Black lines on the pictures indicate sewing lines.
Sew the front, lining and batting together.   Lay the batting down first.   With right side up,  lay the lining on top of the batting and with right side down,  lay the front on top of the lining.     Sew all around the edges in a 1/4 inch seam,  leaving open 3 inches at the middle of the bottom edge for turning.   Black lines indicate where to leave open.

Trim excess batting away from the seam line.
Turn cover right side out.    Pin the opening closed.   Fold the right and left sides over 5 inches on the left and 4 1/2 inches on the right.    Pin.    Stitch across the top and bottom edges.   The opening will be sewn closed as you sew across the cover and the notebook holder sleeves are sewn at the same time.
Black lines on the pictures indicate sewing lines.

The cover is now finished.
To make the flower decoration,   cut the 3 - 4 inch circles in half.   Fold the half circles in half and stitch across the open edge in a 1/4 inch seam.  Repeat for all six petals.
Black line on the pictures indicate sewing lines.

Turn the petals right side out and gather across the open edge.
Gather the edge tightly and tie a knot.   Without cutting the thread,  continue to gather the petals and tie a knot until you have all six petals strung together.
Stitch the last petal to the first one to create a circle of petals.

Sew the flower to a one inch circle of felt.

On the front of the flower,  sew a button on.    Sew or glue the flower to the top of the cover.


Handstitch the ribbon along the edge of the front,  just above the pocket,  with 6 inches of the ribbon to the left and the rest of the ribbon to the right.    Make sure you stitch only through the front of the cover.
Sew a button to the left of the ribbon.
Now insert your notebook into the sleeves of the cover.    Pull the long ribbon around the back to the front and wind it around the button to hold the notebook closed.

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial.
 Bette