Quilted Journal Cover {Sewing Tutorial}
Hello Friends!
I’ve been working on a few journal covers to give to my grand-girls and their friends and it’s a project that anyone can do! I’m sharing a step by step tutorial today so you can make some too!
As with all my tutorials, there are pictures for each step so that it will make it easy for even a beginner sewist to follow! Lets get started by gathering your supplies!
Necessary Supplies
- 12 x 28 inch fabric for outside (see *note on this below)
- 11 x 16.5 inch fabric for lining (could be a larger piece)
- 13 x 30 inch quilt batting
- Clover Wonder Clips
- Clover Hot Ruler
- Clover Rotary Cutter
- Clover Fabric Marking Pen
- Composition Journal size 9.75 x 5.5 inches
*Note on outer fabric: You can use one piece of fabric, or you can use up scraps and get creative by piecing together your outer journal cover. I’ve done both as you see in the picture below. You will do some machine quilting on either option.
Instructions
Step One: Prepare your outer fabric. Either sew together scraps (in any way you would like!) or use one piece of fabric. Either way you will need a piece of fabric cut to 12 inches x 28 inches.
Note on my fabric choice for this tutorial: I used what you call “cheater fabric”. Which means that it looks like it is numerous little squares pieced together, but it is actually printed to fabric to look that way. It is a super fast way to make a project that looks pieced, when it is not! If you google “cheater fabric” you will find links to many options. Below is a picture of some of my favorite cheater fabrics that I’ve used for many projects and one I’m using on this journal cover today.
You can also use whole cloth fabric that is a print you love. Below are a few fun whole cloth fabrics that I’ve enjoyed using.
Step Two: Cut your lining fabric to size 11 inches by 16.5 inches, set aside for now. Cut your quilt batting to approximately 13 inches x 30 inches.
Step Three: Place your outer fabric piece, right side face up, on top of the quilt batting. Quilt as desired. You can do some fun wiggly lines of free motion quilting, or you can follow the lines on your cheater fabric, or quilt straight stitching along seams. Get creative and have fun. I promise that the finish will look great even if it isn’t perfect. You can also use your Clover Fabric Marking Pen and draw lines that you can sew on.
Step Four: After you have quilted your fabric, use your Rotary Cutter and trim to size 11 inches x 28 inches.
Step Five: Take your quilted outer cover to the ironing board. Using your Clover Hot Ruler, fold over each 11 inch edge to 1/2 inch and press. Fold that over again and press well. Use Clover Wonder Clips to hold it in place. Do this on both 11 inch sides. (You can certainly do this without the Hot Ruler, but that handy little tool makes it so much easier!)
Step Six: Sew 1/8 inch from each edge making a perfect hem for your cover. Repeat on the other 11 inch side.
Step Seven: Lay your outer cover flat and using a ruler, fold over each side of the cover 4.5 inches. The batting will be facing up. Hold in place using Wonder Clips. Repeat for the other side. This creates the flap that your book cover will slide into.
Step Eight: Baste stitch 1/8 inch seam along the bottom and top of each side of the cover, this will hold the flap in place.
Step Nine: Take your 11 x 16.5 inch lining fabric and place it on top of the outer cover, right sides together and on top of the flaps (they will still be batting side up). Use Wonder Clips to hold in place all the way around.
Step Ten: Sew a 1/2 inch seam all the way around your journal cover, leaving an opening about 4 inches along the bottom of the cover.
Step Eleven: Clip corners, being careful not to clip into stitching.
Step Twelve: Turn your journal cover right side out by pulling it through the opening you left. Carefully push out all four corners.
Step Thirteen: Press the seams of the opening so that they are hidden and hand stitch in place (or you can close it with an 1/8 inch seam on your sewing machine if you prefer).
Step Fourteen: Give a final press of the entire cover making sure all the edges and corners are ironed flat.
Step Fifteen: Slide your notebook into place, by putting the front and back covers in each flap. It should fit comfortably, and a little snug is okay.
Congratulations! You have completed your Journal Cover! Now… do what I did and make more! I mean, how can you resist right?
Be sure to get creative and have fun with this project! They make the best gifts and kids of all ages love them; as well as adults! Be sure to tag me on Instagram @redfeedsack so I can see your journals!
~ Dori ~
