Notebook Cover

Although I love my laptop computer, I still love real notebooks! Opening a clean new notebook and sitting with pen poised ready to write is a joy. And the prettier the notebook, the more special this is.

So when I go to Nuffnang Blogopolis at the end of the month I’m thinking of taking an old-fashioned notebook and pen instead of my laptop. Of course, The Crafty Mummy has got to have a “crafty” notebook!

I started with two rectangles of fabric pieced together from various pretty bits. My notebook is a Spirax A5 (511 Hardcover) that measured 17.5cm high and 22.5cm from the edge of one cover around the spine to the edge of the other cover. I cut my fabrics 27 x 61cm (10.5 x 24″). I ironed some pellon onto the back of the outer piece, then I stitched the two, right sides together and turned through.

The pockets were made by folding the ends over to the cover side, stitching, then turning through – that way the seams are hidden inside the pockets. I also closed the turning opening with this stitching. Once I turned the pockets, the edge of the centre section of fabric was sticking out, so I stitched that flat as well.

Notes:

• If you’re starting with a different sized notebook, measure the dimensions with it lying open. Then add about 4cm (1.5″) to length and width to allow for the seam allowances and the puffiness of the pellon.
• If you want to quilt your cover, do that before you fold and stitch the pockets.
• If you don’t want super puffy, try using a thinner quilt batting or interfacing. You may need to make the seam allowances a little smaller.
• If you’d like a more detailed tutorial try this one by Bloom or this one by Kootoyoo.

So are you a fan of the humble notebook?

Or are you more technological these days?