Personalized Notebook Cover Tutorial

I use notebooks constantly for jotting down ideas, keeping lists, and keeping track of my day to day activities. I love having a beautiful personalized notebook cover to make them unique and extra special, and today I’m sharing a tutorial to create your own personalized notebook cover!

Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts Stores has a new personalized fabric line, allowing you to create completely personalized and unique projects. They have a huge selection of fabrics, ranging from licensed fabrics such as Star Wars to trendy bicycles! You’ll find the perfect fabric for any project you can dream up!

Here we go!

Supplies:
1yd (you’ll only need about 1/2yd but it is ordered by the yard so you’ll have enough fabric for two projects!)
Personalized fabric of choice (I used this gorgeous pink floral printed on eco canvas)
1/2yd 45-60” fabric for lining
1yd 20” wide fusible interfacing (because of the heavy canvas weight I only interfaced the lining fabric, but if using a lighter weight exterior fabric, interface that as needed)
3/8” wide elastic
college rule spiral bound notebook

Supplies and compensation for this post were provided by Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores. All content, photos, and opinions are my own.

Cut:
personalization fabric – cut 1 piece 18”Wx11.5”H (for exterior), cut 2 pieces 7.5”Wx11.5”H (for inner pockets) TIP: “fussy cut” fabric to best show personalization
lining fabric – cut 1 piece 18”Wx11.5”H (for interior), cut 2 pieces 7.5”Wx11.5”H (for inside flaps)
interfacing – cut 1 piece 18”Wx11.5”H, cut 2 pieces 7.5”Wx11.5”H (for inside flaps)
elastic – cut 1 piece 11” in length

Let’s Get Sewing!

Attach interfacing to lining fabric pieces following manufacturer’s instructions.

Fold each pocket piece in half , matching short edges. Being sure to note direction of personalization, topstitch across the top of each pocket, ¼” from folded edge.

Place each pocket piece on one flap piece, aligning side and bottom edges. Stitch around side and bottom edges, ¼” from edge.

Press inner long edge of each flap/pocket piece ¼” to wrong side of fabric. Press another ¼” to wrong side and stitch along folded edge to secure.

Stitch vertical lines on pockets as desired to hold pencils, pens, etc.

Fold personalized fabric exterior piece in half to determine front and back of notebook cover. Stitch elastic to back over cover, matching ends to top and bottom raw edges and 2” from side edge of back cover (stretch elastic to fit).

Sandwich flap pieces between exterior and interior pieces, with exterior and interior pieces right sides together and flap pieces wrong side toward lining interior piece and aligned along side of interior/exterior pieces.

Pin and stitch around all four edges, leaving 3-4” opening along top or bottom center (it’s easiest if opening is left between the flaps).

Trim corners, turn notebook cover right sides out through opening, press flat along edges and press opening raw edges under.

Topstitch around all four edges, 1/8” from edges with a heavy needle (size 16). It is helpful to turn the handwheel in the bulkiest areas.

Insert your notebook, and that’s it!

Add in your favorite pencils and cards, and you’re all set!

Enjoy making one for yourself or for a gift!