I thought it might be easier to give you all the links for the fabric covered notebook all in one post – it should save a little bit of searching

So, from plain notebook to decorative fabric journal, here you go:

• You need your supplies to start the project.
• The batting & fabric get glued together.
• The edges of the cover get glued down and finished.
• Scissors make the spine a little neater and the tops of the cover are finished.
• It’s the spine’s turn to get glued down.
• A little fabric-folding is needed to make sure the corners are neat.
• Last, but not least – the finishing steps!

image: © C Findlay-Harder

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how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks – the final link round-up

I like to finish the inside of the covers by gluing in a piece of decorative paper or non-woven fabric (so it won’t unravel).  Measure the inside of the cover and then subtract a 1/4″ from the top and side.  Cut the paper out and test fit it on the cover:

 If it fits, apply a thin layer of white glue to the paper and glue it in place – like this:

 Leave the book to dry overnight and you’re finished… or if you want – we can add another decorative element

I like to add a ribbon, glued into the spine – it looks pretty and you can place it between pages to keep your page.

Place a generous dollop of white glue on the top of the spine (check the top and bottom before you put the glue on – I’ve goofed that up before

 Now take a popsicle stick and push the ribbon down into the spine, making sure it’s glued in solidly.  Let it dry and your book should look like this:

You can add more details or embellishments, but I like this fabric so much that I’m going to leave it plain.

images: C Findlay-Harder

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how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks

To begin, fold back the fabric on the corner of the book and cover the fabric underneath with glue:

 Now fold the loose piece of fabric in half, like this:

 And press it smoothly into the glue, so it looks like this:

 Use clothespins or clips to clip the glued corners closed until they’ve dried – so your book will now look like this:

Never fear – we’ll take off the clips in our next step

images: C Findlay-Harder

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how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks, part I’m not sure…

We need to trim off approximately half of the length of those little tabs of fabric that are sticking out of the top and bottom of the spine.  Liberally coat the wrong side with glue, so it looks like this:

 Now take a popsicle stick, or the end of a paint brush and poke the fabric tab into the spine of the book.  That way you’ll end up with a nice, smooth spine that looks like this:

all images: © C Findlay-Harder

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how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks, part four

Our next step is to make a cut straight down on either side of the book’s spine, leaving a tag like this, on both the top and bottom of the book:

 Now cut diagonal notches out, next to the flaps you just cut.  This removes some bulk so the book will close easily.

 Here’s a another shot of what the spine of the book looks like, with the little central flap and the two diagonal notches on either side:

 Glue the flaps of fabric at the top and bottom of the notebook the same way you glued the front edges.  Just run a good quality white glue around the edges – but leave a one inch gap at the outside edge.  Smooth the fabric over and let it dry thoroughly.

Here’s what the notebook is looking like – it’s looking like a real book now!  You’ll find out what to do with those little flaps in the next post

all images ©  C Findlay-Harder

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how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks, part three

We need to glue the fabric to the sides of the notebook now.  Run a bead of white glue down the side of the front cover – slightly narrower that the flap of fabric.  It should look like this:

 Fold the fabric over the glue and smooth it out – make sure there aren’t any bubbles or puckers in the fabric.

 Repeat on the back cover.

The book should now look like this when it’s closed:

The fabric is nice and smooth on the front cover, and the book closely flat.

Let the glue dry overnight and we’ll start the next step tomorrow!

all images: copyright C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks

 I don’t get fussy about it at this stage – an extra 1/4″ around the edges is fine.

Now take the batting off the book and lay it out onto the fabric you’re using for the cover.  Use the batting as a pattern, leaving an extra two inches of fabric all the way around the batting.  It should look like this:

 Time to break out the spray glue!

Remember to use the glue in a well ventilated area and protect your work surface from overspray – it’s awfully messy!  I like to lay the batting out, spray it with the glue and then lay the closed book on it.  Wrap the batting around the cover and smooth any wrinkles out.

 Repeat the same process with the fabric, spraying, wrapping and then smoothing the fabric out:

 I try and avoid spraying the outer edges of the fabric – I find it’s easier to leave them as dry as possible.

Here’s what the book looks like at this point:

We’re going to let the glue set overnight – so I’ll see you tomorrow for the next steps!

all images: copyright C Findlay-Harder

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how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks – part one

Cover them in beautiful fabric of course

For this project, you’ll need a notebook, scissors, spray basting glue (I use Elmer’s spray glue), a good quality white glue (I like the Ultimate), some light weight batting (I’m using Warm & White for this project) and of course, the fabric you’re using to cover the notebook!

 We’ll start working on your book tomorrow.

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

how-to of the day – fabric covered notebooks