I’ve been making small lately. One of the fun things has been sewing mini journal covers. They cover mini composition notebooks, just perfect for your pocket or purse.
The first one I made when figuring out the measurements turned out way too puffy and big. The fusible interfacing, the stuff I use for the regular size journal covers, is too thick.
So after some adjustments, I came up with the following dimensions for these mini books.
Here is what you will need:
Cover and lining – 7 3/4 x 5 1/2
Inside flaps (2) – 4 1/2 x 5 1/2
Light fusible interfacing for all pieces. I used Pellon 906F.
Sewing machine and thread
scissors
bone folder or chopstick
iron
Let’s get started.
Cut out fabric. Iron fusible interfacing to the back of all pieces.
The cover on the left in the first picture was pieced. Instead of cutting one piece of fabric for the cover, I tore strips and ironed them to the fusible.
Then using the zigzag stitch, sewed the pieces down.
Then I ironed it.
Don’t cut the cover to size until you have zigzaged the complete cover. Skip those directions if you won’t be piecing your cover.
Next, fold the flaps in half and iron. They will now be 2 1/4 x 5 1/2. Sew 1/4 inch all the way down the piece from the fold.
Now it’s time to put this baby together. Place the cover right side up. This is the other cover that I just sewed a strip of fabric on it. The front of the cover will be on the right.
Next place the flaps, right sides down with the sewn edges to the center.
Place the lining right side down on top of these pieces.
Then pin all around. You will be sewing all the way around this sandwich except for an opening to turn the cover inside out. I leave the opening in the middle of the back which will be on the left side, but you could instead leave an opening at the bottom.
Once it’s sewn, trim the excess fabric at the corners.
Now it’s time to turn it inside out pushing it through that opening you left. Use a bone folder or other blunt object to help push out the corners. I spend a little time on this.
Then give it a good ironing.
Add the mini composition book and you are done. Yeah!
This was a fun and fast project. These would make great stocking stuffers for Christmas. Who couldn’t use a small notebook with a cute cover. I will be making some of these with my own fabric soon.
Don’t forget, you still have a couple days to enter to win the Printed Fabric Bee Giveaway #9. Click here and comment. Deadline is Wednesday at 8 am CST.
Journal cover, mini sized would be perfect for all those little scraps of hand painted fabric I have. Thanks.
Eileen Gidman recently posted..Baby Book with Textile Art
Thanks for sharing pattern. I think I will make a few for gifts.
Jean, You are so welcome!
Eileen, Yes! I’ve got lots of small pieces of my fabric that I need to use up too! I made the first one of my sun printed fabric and then since it wasn’t “perfect” I thought I’d experiment on some commercial fabric I have. Now that I’ve got it down, I’ll be digging in my stash for the next ones. You are so welcome!
lovely….did you use a particular brand of mini notebook?? Just curious as to which brands this might fit!
Marsha recently posted..Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure
Marsha, These are mini composition books. They are 4.5 x 3.25 inches and they are sold right now with the school supplies.
Thank you so much, this is exactly what I have been looking for! I have bought a bunch of mini books and have had a hard time finding a good pattern for them
Hi Sandra, So glad my tutorial helped you. Thanks for dropping by and letting me know.