Learn to draft

Drafting Basics 1 - Online Course

Fabric Covered Journal - Tutorial and Giveaway



This is one of my favourite things to make for gifts, and it doesn't involve any sewing!

Since 'Sew, Mama, Sew' is having a Giveaway Day, I thought I'd join the bandwagon and have one too... except mine includes a tutorial as well

Materials:

1 x notebook/journal (I'm using a retro notebook bought from a thrift store)
fabric to fit notebook
batting to cover notebook (polyfill)
1 x multi purpose glue (UHU)
1 x A4-sized paper (coloured or patterned - the size of the paper actually depends on the size of your book)
scissors, marking pen (air-erasable)
acrylique stencil paint, stencil design & stencil brush (all optional)


Cut a large enough sheet of the batting to cover the notebook. Allow about 0.25" to extend out from the edges of the book.


Put glue along the edges and fold the batting over and on the book.


Do this for the other side as well. Trim any access batting.


Place the book on the fabric and mark out the corners as a guide for the stencil placement.


Cut out the stencil - I've printed a pattern on manila card.
You can also use a ready-made one.


Some examples of home-made stencils (on manila card) which have been re-used a number of times and ready-made stencils.


Using the marked guidelines, place the stencil in the centre and hold down with tape.


Fill in with colour. Use the stencil brush and 'stab' the paint on. Do not overload the brush with paint or it will bleed under the stencil.


Wait for the paint to dry before peeling off the stencil.


Test the placement of the motif on the notebook.


Without shifting the fabric, open the book and let the fabric lay on the table. Put glue along the side edge of the inner cover ONLY.


Fold the fabric over and paste down. Let it dry.


Do the same for the other side.


Make 2 cuts on the fabric down from the spine of the book. Stop the cut just at the batting line.


Put glue on the bottom edge of the inner cover.


Fold the fabric over and paste down. Use a pointy tool like an awl to hold down the inner fabric while folding over. Let dry.


Repeat on all 3 remaining sides.


Fold in, and under, the excess fabric at the corners. Paste down the corners with glue.


Tuck the strip of fabric at the spine into the hollow between the bound pages and the hard cover.


Squeeze glue in there and close the book to let it set.


To cover the mess on the inside, cut the A4-sized paper into 2. I've printed the same motif to carry the design on the inside as well.


Trim the paper to fit.


Put glue on the back of the paper.


Fit it to the first page and paste down on that side first.


Make a crease down the centre with your fingernail and paste down on the hard cover side. Repeat same for the inner back cover.

At this point, the project is basically done.



You can continue to embellish your cover design if you wish. I've used relief paint to 'draw' out the leaves which were earlier omitted.


The completed journal.


I'd love to hear what you think of this tutorial :)

For a chance to win this very same fabric-bound journal, just leave a comment here or create a link to your own blog or other online pages. I am happy to ship internationally (free) so just jump right in!

Last day to enter is May 31 and the winner by random drawing will be announced on June 1st.

Thanks for looking!

**At the point of writing footnote, it is 9.54 am, 1 June 2009. The contest is officially closed, but I will accept the last few entries that came in the early morning hours because I realize the time difference was not made known :)
Results out shortly!



Comments

  1. Hey....... me, too. Both for the bandwagon and the UHU glue. You gave me one of these way back when E was born - lovely! So you can exempt me from this giveaway. I just wanted to comment to say the stencil embellishment on this one is gorgeous, so lucky whoever wins this! Also wanted to say it is a very good tutorial and I love all these recent tutorials you've been posting. You want another handmade bag? Come over and enter (or exempt yourself from) my giveaway, too!

    xoxox
    L

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the great tutorial. So if I don't win this journal I will know how to cover one myself! lol

    Swedie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very well explained tutorial! Good job adding the pics along with it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome tutorial and I love the journal, thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So generous -i haven't seen a tutorial in a giveaway yet!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! this is such a great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing! I've always wanted to try something like this but never knew how to! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  7. hey I want to win but NOW can make my own but PLEASE let me win

    ReplyDelete
  8. great tuorial & giveaway! thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's awesome, thanks!! I'd love to have that!

    pattywolffe@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is like everyone is a winner with the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great tutorial - thank you!
    I love the fabric and design you chose for that journal.

    heidig@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, this is gorgeous. I'm very impressed with your stencil cutting skills too :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cool! Thanks for the tutorial too! What a great handmade gift idea!

    Thanks for doing the giveaway!
    Cassie Driver
    cmdoduck(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Adorable! I love it! and a tutorial as well,you rock!
    JloMamaJama@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very cool idea! I would love to win it!

    Thanks for the great giveaway, if I am the lucky winner, you can contact me through my website www.radseams.com.

    ReplyDelete
  16. cute! easy to understand instructions, too.

    www.mpaisley.etsy.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. You are SO AMAZING. Thanks for the tutorial, this is great. I think I will attempt one of my own.. but only if I don't win ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nice tutorial. I would love to win this book though!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just started learning to book bind, so this tutorial is great! And the boo you've made it gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm jumping in :) Please pick me :) Thank you !

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the tutorial! You are so crafty!! Join my giveaway too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is fantastic! I can't wait to try it!!! Thank you for the tutorial & giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great tutorial. If I don't win, now I know how to make one (or three)

    ReplyDelete
  24. It looks so easy with your tutorial...
    I can't help thinking that making it myself I would have glue all over my fingers, and ruin the fabric...
    (I'm a kind of a two-left-handed person, as we say in french...)

    ReplyDelete
  25. oh wow, what a lovely way to dress up an otherwise plain notebook. :) abby

    abi-gail7@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. what a great way to use up all of those journals i bought for no reason off the dollar rack! thanks for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks for the great visuals, I'm going to try this myself. Wish you had 'followers' on your blog, I'd like to follow you work.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great tutorial!

    Thanks for a chance to win! :)

    hootie364@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. That tutorial was really well done and clearly demonstrated.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm going to totally be bummed if I don't win this, but I'm glad you posted a tutorial, because I'm needing a new project to try out. I'd rather have the one you made though, since I know mine won't turn out that great.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for the giveaway and tute. I can be contacted thru my blog: www.luscofamily.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a great tutorial! Also, a beautiful journal, I'd love to win!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Fantastic tutorial! I love the detail, and the stencil designs! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow! A great tutorial! I love that you use batting. It really gives it that "oomphf" lol.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Awesome tute. That is really cute (I didn't mean for that to rhyme...sounds cheesy now). Thanks for the giveaway too. That doesn't look too hard either, I love it.
    spondah(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  36. love the tutorials!
    (and the journal!)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you so much for your no-sew tutorial. Yes, I am a quilter, but I always love to learn new techniques. Your instructions are very clear to read.
    And it's so good to meet people around the world through the internet.
    kathleen
    villagequilteratgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  38. Love the notebook and the tutorial--step by step--makes it easy!! Awesome! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  39. What a great tutorial. I'll have to go and dig up those old journals with the ugly covers!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Loved you tutorial...you do very well with those...

    I would love to win the notebook - it is great!

    nhsarab at yahoo do com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I think this is just beautiful. Count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  42. What a great tutorial. I especially love the stencil! Very nice personal touch.

    ReplyDelete
  43. My!!! What generosity! You share the tutorial and the actual book!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Your tutorial is well-done! The journal is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love the idea of adding a tutorial, thank you!

    sandyandcosmo(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. How very lovely of you to add a tutorial. It was super easy to follow and I just love the stencil you used! Thank you!!

    Hugs & Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thank you for including the tutorial! I have put your site into my favourites and hope to try it one day ! thanks for taking part in the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thank you for the tutorial and the giveaway!!
    Its fantastic! Can't wait to give it a try...but first I'll try my luck:)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Great tutorial and I'll make one even if i win... im adding it to my to do list!! we're having a give away too!!

    xo Steph

    ReplyDelete
  50. Beautiful and thanks for the tutorial!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Fantastic! This way, everyone's a winner! I sure would love that book though....

    ReplyDelete
  52. Wow! What a great giveaway - Thanks! And thanks for the great tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank you for the tutorial. That was clever knowing your high traffic bloggers were coming. Your work is lovely. THanks for a chance to win.
    Jenny
    Krousegirl2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a great giveaway idea. The tutorial is excellent. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Thanks for the great tutorial! I love your stencil, it's gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  56. The stencil you used is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  57. i'm so glad you gave the tute!

    ReplyDelete
  58. great tutorial... love all the pictures, great for a visual learner like me!

    Please enter me in the draw, and don't forget to enter mine. :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. Wow! So cool. Thanks for the tutorial. It seems easy enough to follow.

    Jodie
    jodcoz(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hello from Canada. What an elegant journal - well done!
    Please count me in for your generous giveaway.
    kareno369(@)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. What an amazing giveaway & great tutorial. I really enjoyed it, easy to understand. Love all the pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Wow, this is cool. I love the journal and I love the tutorial. It's cool to see where it came from and how it came to be!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Great tutorial. I'm definitely going to try it!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Love it! Would love to win it and have a great new craft journal to note my workings from your tutorial! That would be an over the top win!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I would love to win this sweet journal. Thanks for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Really cute journal! I'm going to have to try that tut. out soon!

    ReplyDelete
  67. So pretty! I'd love to win! Thanks for the chance. If I don't win, I might even be brave enough to try making my own!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Great tutorial! I've bookmarked it.

    Thanks for the chance to enter!

    ReplyDelete
  69. What a lovely idea. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  70. What a lovely journal--please count me in for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  71. the painted pattern on the cover really adds such a unique and beautiful touch! Very creative :)

    Thanks for the great opportunity!
    suserat at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. What a great tutorial. Though, yours is much prettier than what I'd slap together! So, I hope I win! I though UHU was just glue sticks... learning things on my blog tour.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I thought that was a great tutorial! I liked that you included so many photos. Thanks for offering the chance to win such a pretty journal.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Wow everyone's already a winner with such a clear easy to follow tutorial. Love the clear photos.
    If I don't win I can make one for myself. Even if I win I will probably make one, or two or three etc for myself. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  75. Thanks for the great tutorial! And for the give-away too :)

    ReplyDelete
  76. Thanks for the tutorial. I've bookmarked it, and will come back later to browse your site. Ahem, when I'm not entering all these giveaways. ;)

    Great to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  77. This is wonderful - and thanks so much for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Lovely - great idea for a gift.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Hey hey! You're on One Pretty Thing today, Jeet! Eeeee! Hip hip hurrah! Love, L

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

It is always a treat to get a comment! Thanks for yours :)