It’s about time I’ve been able to get back on here and post something. I guess all I can say is that I really have a 2 year old ;). I had made this journal a while back to give to my husband for our anniversary.
He journals a lot when he does Bible studies, quiet time, writes songs, etc, so it’s a perfect gift. I’m planning on making a few more for some Christmas presents for those who like to write, draw, journal, etc.
I’m going to share a tutorial for how I made the journal cover. I know journal covers have been done before, but I tried to make one the easiest and fastest way I could. And a sneak peek…
…this is a tote bag I did using the same method. See further down for pics.
Journal Cover:
What you need:
-2 pieces of felt
-Scrap Fabric
-Journal
-2 Buttons (for closure)
1. Sew two pieces of felt together
2. Place journal on top, so it is in the middle, and measure how much to cut off. Make sure to leave about a half inch or so extra around the bottom and top edge (I forgot to do this and ended up gluing the cover on, but if you sew the flaps, it can be reused on other journals later).
3. Cut off excess felt at the bottom and on the sides if necessary. Make sure to leave enough on the sides to fold over to create the flap.
4. Lay the piece of felt right side up. Take your scraps and just start placing them all over.
5. Pin all the pieces in place.
6. Sew the them all on however you like. I just kind of went crazy with it. No order or anything to the fabric or the sewing. Just did what I felt like. It reminded me of how my child does art. It seems chaotic, since she is only 2, yet comes out really cool anyways.
7. Cut two small pieces of elastic. It should be long enough to be sewn onto one inside flap and come over the journal side to the top to loop onto a button.
8. Pin the elastic where you would like it to hold the journal together at. Sew it on.
9. Then, cover the ends with a small piece of fabric and sew that on.
10. Fold the ends in and place the buttons to line up with the elastic. Take journal cover off and hand sew on the buttons.
11. Place the cover on the journal again and fold the flaps to the inside and sew together at the top and bottom to create the pocket to place the journal cover (unlike what I forgot to do :).
The Tote Bag:
I basically did the same thing. I took a blank tote,
Covered it in scraps.
Pinned them in place.
Sewed them on and added other embellishments (crocheted flowers, felt heart, embroidered stems on the apples).
3 sweet P's says
October 18, 2009 at 9:36 pmI love the bag!! Looks like something you could buy at a super trendy boutique! I can never seem to get stuff like this right w/o it looking all wrong.Very good job!
Christina says
October 18, 2009 at 9:55 pmI love the journal cover!! I’m going to have try to out myself. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Myrnie says
October 18, 2009 at 10:31 pmThis is so great! So, I guess with all that sewing it can’t possibly fray too much! Definitely going on my list of “things to make” 🙂
Kari @ Ucreate says
October 18, 2009 at 11:05 pmLOVE the journal cover and the tote bag. These are AMAZING!
Tracie says
October 19, 2009 at 12:48 amI’m definitely trying this!!!! Such a great idea.
Laurie Anne says
October 19, 2009 at 5:51 amThese are both great projects/gift ideas! and such clear, easy tutorials 🙂
Thank you x
JoYfuL PrAiSe says
October 19, 2009 at 6:54 amWow! This is awesome! I love reading your blog. Love it!
John_n_Tascha_Piatt says
October 19, 2009 at 7:19 amsooo cute.. have made journal cover before, but it was a single fabric – this look i quite fun! thanks for the idea! and 2 year olds are the BOMB! lol
Su says
October 19, 2009 at 7:56 amThis is another reason now as to why I can’t throw out scraps 🙂
Great job! I especially love the journal you made for your husband.
Sewmarm says
October 19, 2009 at 8:13 amMmm…that journal looks so inviting to write in! And I agree with Laurie Anne that both the bag and the journal cover make great gift ideas.
Kali's Korner says
October 19, 2009 at 9:31 amim loving the journal cover. I just bought a few of those journals at walmart and was trying to think of a way to make them cute, this would totally work! Thanks
marisa says
October 19, 2009 at 10:18 amthat bag is awesome! thanks for the ideas!
Heidi says
October 19, 2009 at 12:29 pmSuch a neat idea! Thanks for the tutorials. I also clicked on the baby block post and that would make a great gift for an upcoming shower I’m attending in addition to a diaper bag and a box of diapers!
Heather - CROQZine.com - Dollarstorecrafts.com says
October 19, 2009 at 12:48 pmFun technique. I really like how the tote turned out!
Julie A. Cox says
October 19, 2009 at 3:09 pmThe bag is so pretty! I love it!!!
j.g.photography says
October 19, 2009 at 4:05 pmI think both of those are super cute! My hubby is a musician too, and could use one of them “men” journals. Thanks for the tute, just a suggestion, adhesive spray basting might make it just a bit easier, no pins to fuss with. Thanks again, love your blog!
Hi I'm Amy, says
October 19, 2009 at 5:08 pmOH my Word! I love your journal! i have been wanting to make one for myself for the longest time and just haven’t gotten around to it. I Think I will make this tonight! Love it! Super easy and pretty much free…. Cool thanks for all your Fabulous ideas! Keep on Rockin!
Aleta says
October 19, 2009 at 11:41 pmOh I love this tote! What a great way to use up all my yummy scraps!
mój kolorowy świat says
October 20, 2009 at 2:37 amYou have fantastic ideas, I really like your blog 🙂
Rachel@oneprettything.com says
October 20, 2009 at 1:16 pmThose are so fun! I love scrap busting projects! I’ll be linking.
melee says
October 21, 2009 at 10:12 pmThe same basic idea for the notebook can be used with paper and works great also! (hodgepodge is my best friend) but I love the color and stuff you put in the journal and tote!
monicc says
November 4, 2009 at 5:15 amHi
i’m Monica to Milan italy
Compliments your tutorial is very nice
November 8 will do an article on my blog where you talk about your idea
By Bye
Moni
Jaimie says
December 10, 2009 at 8:25 pmThis is so cute! I looove that bag! I really need to learn to sew.
Thyme at Home says
December 31, 2009 at 3:25 pmI just finished my post on the scrap journal I made from your tutorial, thanks for such a great frugal Christmas gift idea!
Anonymous says
January 25, 2010 at 10:15 amThe information here is great. I will invite my friends here.
Thanks
Linda says
September 24, 2010 at 8:34 amI just found your great tutorial – thanks so much for sharing! I’ve just added your link to my Purses, Totes and Handbags Listings at http://www.linda-matthews.com/free-purse-patterns-and-tutorials/by-date/#sep2010
Diggy Ross says
January 9, 2013 at 5:00 pmOkay, I’m excited! I love the tote. I needed a pattern and I finally found this idea and I love.e.e.e IT! Simply because I won’t waste time cutting pattern pieces and I have a ton of scraps. I will be starting on this one asap! Thank you so much for sharing.
D. Ross Curington says
January 9, 2013 at 5:20 pmHello, I just had to say thanks for the tote bag idea. That’s what I call genius!
Rhonda McFarland says
October 15, 2017 at 10:17 pmhow did you sew the fabric on the tote bag – by hand or with a machine?
Jessica says
November 1, 2017 at 4:49 pmI used a machine. But you could totally do it by hand, it would just give it a different look. But still a pretty look 🙂