Stitch a gift tutorial: fabric journal cover

If I had all the time in the world I’d make every gift I give. One Christmas an old friend of mine decided to make all her gifts. It took her months, but she managed it – working full time too and juggling a frenzied social life. There’s no excuse on my part…

This A5 journal or notebook cover is a quick make. If you’re out of fabric then take your scissors to your husband’s retro cotton top old summer dress. Upcycle, that’s it. I’ve mentioned this in a post before, but old pillowcases (even old cushion covers) are perfect for those small sewing projects.

Here’s what you need:

Fabric 10cm x 50cm

Fabric 18cm x 50cm

Fusible interfacing 26cm x 50cm

Fabric lining (I used calico) 26cm x 50cm

50cm ribbon (to decorate the front)

Buttons (to decorate the front)

Embroidery thread (to stitch the side folds)

Hardback A5 notebook

Fabric (or craft) glue

Step one: Decide what ribbon and buttons you want on the front of the cover. Pin and stitch the ribbon across the centre of the smaller piece of fabric. Pin the two fabric lengths together along the longest sides (right sides facing) and stitch. Press the seams open and flat.

Step two: Iron on the fusible interfacing and then pin and stitch the lining fabric. Make sure the right side of the lining fabric faces the right side of the outer fabric. Stitch all around apart from a 4cm opening, from which you will pull the fabric the right way out. Before pulling the right way out, clip the corners.

Step three: Once pulled the right way out, stitch the opening and iron the fabric. Place the A5 notebook on the fabric and measure up the side flaps so each flap is equal length. Pin in place and then, using the embroidery, hand stitch – back stitch – the flaps/folds in place. The front and back notebook cover should easily slip into each fold.

Step four: Glue the buttons in place on the ribbon strip across the front cover.

Inside fold

Tip: personalise the cover by embroidering a name or brief inspirational quote on the front cover or inside fold. Do this before stitching the fusible interfacing and lining.

PS: Kids love making this too!

Kids’ sewing – small patchwork cushion tutorial

If you’re introducing kids to sewing then this small patchwork cushion is a simple and fun sewing project to do with them.

Adapt it for boys too by allowing them to choose the fabrics. Replace the felt cupcake and flower appliqué with a basic car or dinosaur shape, or even stars or a felt cut-out of their hands. Swap pretty girly beads for colourful buttons to match their boyish bedroom. Choose a mix of plain and patterned fabrics in various colours. The fabrics don’t need to match, but keep the colours complementary. This cushion can be hand or machine stitched, once made up it measures about 25cm x 25cm.

Here’s what you need:

4x fabric squares, measuring 15cm x 15cm each
30cm x 30cm fabric square for the cushion back
2x felt shapes – or four if you prefer a shape on each square (cupcake template here)
Buttons and beads / cushion stuffing
Embroidery thread (to appliqué the felt shapes)
Bondaweb – optional – to transfer the felt shapes to the fabric
Embroidery needle to appliqué the felt shapes

Step one: Stitch felt cupcake and flower to the fabric squares
If you’ve got Bondaweb then transfer it to the felt shape and stick it onto the fabric squares. You can also add a dollop of fabric glue to the back of the felt shape and press it in place on the fabric square.

Embroider around the edge of the felt shape and add a button to the centre if you’re attaching a felt flower. Kids will enjoy doing this part.

Step two: Sewing the squares together
Put all four squares on a flat surface in your chosen pattern. Place the top two squares together so the right sides are facing. Repeat this with the bottom two squares.
Pin and stitch the top two squares together along the side that will form the centre seam Repeat this process with the bottom two squares.

You should now have two rectangles. Place the two pieces of fabric together so the right sides are facing. Pin and stitch the fabric together then press flat.

Step three: Sew on the cushion back
You will now have one large square. Place the square fabric back and the patchwork square together, right sides facing. Pin and stitch all around the square and make sure to leave a 7 cm opening to insert the stuffing. Clip the corners.

Turn the cushion right side out and use the back of a pencil to gently push the corners out. Add the stuffing into the cushion through the small opening bit by bit.

Once all the stuffing is in the cushion, fold the seam opening inside and stitch in place.

Easy as pie! Talking about pie, one of my favourite food recipes to follow soon… You’ll love it. And if you decide to make this cushion with your kids please let me know how it goes

Another patchwork cushion, make a couple of months back with my daughter.

We used different floral fabrics.