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Ruffle Notebook Cover Tutorial

*I was given fabric to participate in the This and That blog tour. All opinions and projects are my own.

Notebook cover with ruffle accent

I love the florals in the main print of the This and That fabric line, but what I love even more, is the accent of black that runs throughout this line. It’s such a fun contrast to the bright colors. That element of contrast is what led me to create this ruffle notebook cover. The pleated ruffle on the front is a fun element, made even more fun with the contrast of the black fabric. This tutorial will show you how to create your own, so that you can dress up your composition notebooks for doodling, bullet journaling or keeping track of your sewing projects, which is what I use mine for!

Ruffle Notebook Cover

Fabric:
4 fat quarters
OR
1/3 yard for lining
1/3 yard for front accent (less if not directional)
1/3 yard for back of cover
2 1/2″ strip of accent fabric, or 1″ wide ribbon

decorative elastic if desired for closure

ruffle notebook cover cutting requirements

Cutting:
1-10 1/2″ X 16″  Lining fabric (stripe)
3- 5″ X 10 1/2″ front feature fabric and cover flaps (floral)
1- 2 1/2″ X 10 1/2″ front feature fabric (floral)
1- 2 1/2″ X 20″ strip ruffle fabric (black)
1- 9 1/2″ X 10 1/2″ back cover fabric (red)

Assembly:

pleated ruffle to front accent piece of cover
  • Press ruffle strip in half along the length
  • line up raw edges of the ruffle strip with the right side of the 5″ front accent piece. Pin pleats into the accent strip so that it covers the length of the 10 1/2″ side.
  • baste into place 
  • Place 2 1/2″ front accent piece on top of ruffle, right side down, lining up right sides. 
  • Sew in place using 1/4″ seam allowance
ruffle notebook front cover assembly
  •  press the ruffle toward the 2 1/2″ accent piece
  • top stitch on both sides of the seam a scant 1/8″
  • line up the left side of the accent piece with the right side of the back cover piece- right sides together
  • Sew the accent piece to the back, using 1/4″ seam allowance
  • press toward the darker piece (in this case, the red side)
  • add top stitching if desired
add elastic for closure

  • if using decorative elastic for closure, line up the elastic 2 1/4″ from left edge of front cover
  • pin in place
put the notebook cover together
  •  press the cover flap pieces in half along the length (5″ X 10 1/2″ pieces pressed to create 2 1/2″ X 10 1/2″ pieces)
  • line up raw edges of flap pieces with both sides of the notebook cover front. *tip: pay attention to the direction of the print on the fabrics at this point
  • place the cover lining right side down on top of the cover front.
  • pin in place
  • Sew around the entire cover using a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving a 3-4″ opening on the bottom for turning
  • clip all four corners and turn right side out
  • press
  • stitch opening in bottom closed
tutorial to create ruffle notebook cover

 Slide your composition notebook into the flaps and bring the elastic around to the front to keep closed.

ruffle accent cover for composition notebook

Now you have a beautiful new cover for your composition notebook! I use mine all the time to keep track of the projects I am making, adjustments to patterns and ideas for future projects. I LOVE having one in my sewing room (or two or three!!).
Enjoy!!
xoxo,
Amy

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  • Jillily Studio
    November 8, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    Wonderful! It's so great that you shared the pattern so your audience can make their own! Thank you so much for working with my fabrics–I really appreciate having your talents to help showcase the collectiob!
    Jill