Say goodbye to your boring notebook cover that looks like someone else's book. It's time to make these creations yourself! We'll cover fabric covers, decorative tape, glitter, decoupage (the art of decorating things by sticking colored paper cutouts), and more. See Step 1 below to get started creating your own notebook!
Step
Part 1 of 2: Using Felt Cloth or Plain Cloth
Step 1. Take your notebook measurements and cut your fabric to match
You can use any size notebook. Start by measuring the spine of the book, from back to front. Whatever size you get, add 16 cm. You will need additional measurements to wrap around the book later. Meanwhile, from top to bottom, add 1.25 cm. If your notebook measures 13x28, the final result will be 14.25 cm wide and 44 cm high.
- You can use a piece or two of regular/or felt. For felt, you usually only need one piece; For regular fabrics, you may need to use two pieces of cheesecloth to make each side look attractive. If you chose plain fabric, cut it in half and sew the two pieces together, each showing its pretty side.
- You can also use old T-shirts!
Step 2. If you want a pen holder, shape it now
(If you don't need this step, then skip it.) Take your favorite pen and cut the felt to an inch or so long and extend about 2.5 cm from your pen on both sides.
- Place the book, open, in the center of the fabric. Wrap the sides around it tightly and neatly. Look at the outer edge of the front cover, mark where you want to attach the pen holder (a washable marker works best to mark it). You should draw a line down the edge on the right side.
- Cut the line into a slit.
- Insert the pen into the small rectangle of fabric to find out how tight you need it to be.
- Hold the edges in place and machine sew all the edges together. The ends should be slightly curved towards the crease at the edge.
- Trim excess material. Finished!
Step 3. If you are going to sew a design on the front, do so now
Because eventually the cover will be sewn and you will no longer be able to sew the design -- so decide! You can decorate with various shapes from plain cloth or felt or you can sew some interesting buttons! Since the shapes of the fabrics are pretty self-explanatory (cut into shapes, and sew), we'll talk about adding buttons:
- Apply some glue (just apply!) to the buttons. Place the buttons where you want them on your book cover. Repeat on all the buttons until all of your designs have been pinned into place. Let dry.
- Sew the buttons onto the felt, with 2 or 3 stitches on each button.
Step 4. Place the front of the cover face down on a flat surface
Fold the sides of the cover inward (the excess fabric is folded into the inside of the book) and secure with a pin.
You may need to rearrange the book into the center of the fabric to double-check how large the edge of the cover should be
Step 5. Sew along the top and bottom of the cover with a flanket stitch
Embroidery thread (pearl cotton) is very good for felt. Start at one corner, finish at the other, and repeat on the other side.
You can also do hand sewing, it just takes more time and perseverance. Remember to keep the seam 0.6 cm from the edge on each side to give your notebook enough space
Step 6. Slip your notebooks into the cover pockets
Tada!
Part 2 of 2: Discussing Other Add-ons
Here are ideas if you've finished creating a notebook cover, but the cover you've created feels empty and boring. You can also check out the wikiHow article How to Decorate a Notebook for details
Step 1. Use decorative tape
With only the materials needed, namely tape and scissors, this method only requires precision and time. but if you have plenty of time during the day, you can create very intricate, beautiful, and awesome designs. Decorative tape is the same as regular tape, only this tape has a pattern and is sturdy.
The idea is to cut various kinds of patterned tape into geometric shapes (usually triangles). Hundreds of carefully placed pieces of tape combine to form a stunning abstract masterpiece. If you have a steady hand, make your own
Step 2. Use your art decoupage skills
Do you have pretty colored paper lying around you? Or some paper music, maybe a book you ripped? Or even wrapping paper? Very good. With a stick of glue, a little varnish (decoupage glue is 1 part water mixed with 1 part white glue), and a brush, you're good to go!
- Cut your paper into strips -- or tear the paper for an elaborate look. You can make it completely disorganized or more jumbled.
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Glue each piece on the cover, slightly overlapping. Make sure the paper edges cover the entire side, so that the original cover is not visible when the book is turned over or looked at.
Make sure you press down on the paper strips to release any air bubbles as you glue each piece
- Apply a coat or two of varnish on all sides. Let it dry and you're done!
Step 3. Add your favorite quotes
If your book cover looks like paper (plastic doesn't work), there's an easy way to make it as unique as you are: add your favorite quote!
- With Photoshop (or other similar program), write your favorite quotes in the font style and design you want. Make sure the dimensions match the size of your notebook cover.
- Print out the paper and stick it in front of your book cover with transparent tape to hold it in place. Make sure the tape doesn't cover the letters in the quote.
- By pressing firmly with a ballpoint pen, trace the letters. Check near the edges to see if the pen's ink has moved slightly, creating a stencil pattern.
- When you're done tracing, remove the cover and tape.
- Color your letters with acrylic paint. If you like, take a scrapbook pen that is black and bold the edges of the letters. Cover each letter with a coat of glossy varnish to cover it and let it dry.
Step 4. Apply glitter
When in doubt, use glitter. With a permanent white glue (modge podge) and a brush, you can create shiny, shiny designs that will make them really eye-catching. Just apply white glue to the cover wherever you want to apply the first color. Apply glitter and let it dry. Then apply white glue to the next area, apply glitter, and let it dry. Repeat as many colors as you want!
