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How to Make a Reusable Fabric Journal Cover

Using a Printable Journal Page

by LindaM

Scrappy Garden Reusable Fabric Journal Cover

Make this reusable fabric journal cover using a printable journal page!

This reusable fabric journal cover is easy to make using a printable journal page printed onto fabric. The printed fabric is then sewn onto a plain piece of fabric to complete the journal cover. For this fabric journal cover I used one of the pages from the Scrappy Garden Printable Journal, however you could use any printable journal page at all. I love the fun floral designs on the pages of this printable journal, and they fit perfectly with the raw edge style of sewing used to make this cover. This particular cover is also reusable, so once you’ve filled the journal, you can slip a new journal into the cover and continue using it.

The pages of this journal are sized to print on a standard size piece of copy paper, so it was easy the print the page onto a piece of fabric the same size. Printing images onto fabric doesn’t have to be limited to photos or small images – anything you can print on paper you can also print on fabric. The only limitation is the size of your printer.

Supplies

Directions

You can easily make this journal cover to fit any size journal or notebook by adjusting the measurements. I made this journal cover to fit a 5″ x 7″ printable journal.

Print the Cover Image

First print out the journal page onto fabric.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Attach the Outside Cover to the Stabilizer

Cut a piece of heavyweight stabilizer 1″ wider and 1″ longer than the journal. This type of stabilizer is thick, easy to sew by machine, and is perfect for making fabric journal covers. A 5″ x 7″ journal opens out to 10″ x 7″, so I cut a piece 11″ wide x 8″ high. Cut two pieces of fusible webbing the same size. Cut two pieces of fabric for the outer cover and lining 1″ wider and 1″ longer than the stabilizer. I cut my fabric pieces 12″ wide x 9″ high.

Iron the pieces of fusible webbing to the heavyweight stabilizer, one on each side. Center the heavyweight stabilizer on the wrong side of the outside fabric piece, then iron it so that the pieces are fused together.

Iron the pieces together with the fabric side up and with a craft mat or a piece of parchment paper underneath so you don’t damage your iron or ironing board.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Center the fabric print on top of the fabric, and sew it close around the outside edges. This type of heavyweight stabilizer is easy to sew by machine using a standard sewing machine needle.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

I added some free motion stitching around the flower and butterfly to emphasize the designs.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Attach the Lining Fabric

Once the outer cover is completed, iron the lining to the other side of the fusible stabilizer and sew a strip of fabric about 1″ wide down the spine on the outer cover.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Make the Slip Pockets

To make the inside slip pockets, cut two pieces of fabric and two pieces of tear-away stabilizer the height of the cover by 7 inches wide. I cut my pieces 12″ high by 7″ wide. Fold the tear-away stabilizer and the fabric pieces in half so that they measure 3-1/2″ wide, then press.

Slip one of the stabilizer pieces inside each of the folded fabric pieces, then pin in place on the inside of the cover, one on each side, with the folded edge facing inward. Before you sew the pockets in place, slip your notebook or journal cover inside the pockets to make sure everything fits properly.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Sew the Pieces Together

Sew the pockets in place by sewing close around the edge of the stabilizer two or three times.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Trim away the excess fabric from around the edges. I like to trim close to the stitching leaving approximately 1/8″.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Tip: If your fabric tends to fray easily, apply some fabric glue around the edges after you’ve trimmed. The glue will dry clear so you won’t notice it and it will prevent further fraying.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Embellish the Spine

I finished off the spine by sewing on a row of buttons.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Insert Your Journal

Once everything is sewn, simply slip the covers of your journal inside the slip pockets.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

Add a Closure

To finish, I added a simple tie closure using a metal ring and a strip of fabric.

Scrappy Garden Fabric Journal Cover

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How to Make a Reusable Fabric Journal Cover

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