I love to customize everything including my composition book. So today’s tutorial is
a really fun and easy patchwork cover for your composition book. Let’s get started.
Check this out. I’m super excited about today’s composition book cover. 1. Because
I love to customize like I said. But 2. Because I wanted to build a project for all of us
that was focused on the use of ten inch squares because I always fall in love with these wonderful
bundles of fabric. Today is Gypsy from Windham. And it’s just another great line of fantastic
and fun little prints. So I wanted to create covers that we could really mix up the parts
and pieces so you could get extra scrapy and extra patchy with it if you want to. Or you
can make them kind of like I did which is going to be a two cover or two fabric exterior
cover. And then on the interior we have a liner and then we have little pockets or the
sleeves that will hold the cover of the actual composition book. So the construction is very
simple. Please bounce down into the description below, we have a free printable for you. And
as you’re getting ready to hit print on that I want to just point out a couple of
things here for you. If you’re making your own style using just solid pieces of fabric
the diagrams have the finished sizes. The cut sizes down below in the list, those are
the cut sizes I had used to make it patchwork. So we’ve kind of tried to set it up for
you both ways. So you can play with it and make it your own. Like I said it’s all about
customizing. Now let’s get into those parts and pieces because I’m dying to show you
how it works.
So the first thing we’re going to build, we’re just going to use this as our reference,
is what I’m going to call the liner. That’s going to be this interior piece that’s in
there. And I’m going to start with two of my ten inch squares.So this is what the piece
looks like finished. Technically it’s just 10 ½ by 16 inches. So if you’re making
it with your own piece of fabric. What I simply did is I took two ten inch squares and created
this seam here first. So we’re going to do that by going over to the sewing machine
right sides together on two ten squares. And everything is done with a quarter inch seam
allowance and even though it’s construction of gear we’re using cotton thread today.
I’m not worried about seam allowances and structure of my thread today. We’re going
to do a lot of this construction because of the use of the ten inch squares, we’re going
to sew on parts and pieces and then we’re going to slice them off to use for scrap and
building. So I’m going to take this real quick, hit it with my iron. Ok. So now technically
I need to make a piece that’s just 16 inches long as I go across here. So I can use my
mat and come down here to 26 because I’ve started at ten. That’s why I said 26. Sorry.
I did that math quick in my head. Then I’m going to cut this piece off. And then what
I do with this piece that’s leftover here is I basically divided it in half. And it’s
about 1 ¾. That piece there is then stitched together like that. That piece was sewn on
and you can see it go across here. And then the whole thing has just been like I said,
trimmed down to fit at a 10 ½ by 16 and that’s the interior cover. Now let’s get ready
to do the exterior cover. That’s where I think the magic is because that’s the part
the everybody will get to see. So we’re just going to set this aside for now. We’re
going to need that in a bit.
Now the interior cover, excuse me, the exterior cover, like I said, I’m excited which means
you know I’m trying to go too fast. So we’re going to zen into this for a minute for you.
We’re going to use three ten inch squares. So what was originally built here is going
to finish and look like this. This was one square, this was the second square and here’s
the third square right here. We need to divide these pieces up to make them. This piece here
was cut as a seven by ten which left a three by ten. That was stitched onto the bottom
just like you saw on the orange fabric a second ago. And then it was simply trimmed off and
then this was also trimmed to 10 ½ inches tall that way. And then the center or the
spine of our cover is made by a three by ten and a three by three piece there. Those have
the exact same thing happen. I’m going to stitch those together along there. And then
let me point out two other features as we come into the cover again. You can see that
the spine was stitched on. But here I want to point out, this is where I’m keeping
my seam allowance. And that’s really fun if you have all of those down here because
these could be alternated fabrics. One of the reasons I built this using a bunch of
different fabrics from the ten pack was that I was thinking you could make these cuts and
then mix and scramble them and then bring them all back together and have a ton of different
looks in your journals. The other thing I want to point out which I love is someplace
to place our pen. It’s just a simple piece of elastic. It’s a one inch elastic with
a little bit of extra firmness. It’s got these ridges in it. But then it’s 1 ¾ inches
long. And that was folded and that was set into the seam, 1 ¾ inches down from the top.
So that was pinned into place as I sewed two of these cut fabrics to this fabric to make
the exterior cover. And then once that was made we have to put a little bit of interfacing
in just to give it a little bit of structure and strength and just on the exterior of the
cover. So you can also see that I had a piece of interfacing that was cut at 10 ½ by 16.
And that was ironed onto the back side of the exterior cover. That’s the only place
we’re going to use the interfacing. And I apologize, I forgot to tell you that. You
saw it at the beginning in the supplies that I was using the wonderful Heat N Bond Featherlite
Fusible interfacing. It’s not the fusible web. It’s an interfacing and that give us
body right where we need it there.
Ok moving on. On the inside of our cover here we’re going to build two pockets that are
going to match. But they have another fun fabric on the inside also, right? So let me
show you how those work. So here’s what our finished product is going to look like.
Let me make a little bit more room so you can see. What I’m really going for is two
pieces here and these are going to be 7 ½ by 10 ½ always 10 ½ is the height. You can
see there’s another piece of fabric here. We have all finished edges. You can see that
I’ve pieced on. I’m going to show you how to do this here in a second. But what
I want to point out is my seam allowance is here topstitched. Seam allowance here, topstitched.
And that way when you put your journal together here, put it just the same. I have those same
seams all running across there. And it just looks organized that way. It’s not crucial
but I just thought I’d point that out. While we’re building that’s what we’re going
for. Now to get these pieces you’re going to have four more squares so we used a total
of nine squares in today’s cover. And what we’re doing is we’re going to take one
of these here and I’m going to cut 2 ½ inches off of it. These are ten inch squares.
So I’m just going to come over here and count two and a half. Looking at that line
here. So that 2 ½ is cut like this, ok? And now this piece is going to be stitched onto
the bottom. And it’s up to you whether you want to sew it on and then trim it or if you
want to it to begin with, however you like your construction. I was also trying to think
of this as a great way to work with some of our younger sewers and quilters making their
own composition book covers. And I thought the more of these little skills we could teach
folks the more we’d get them hooked on quilting forever and ever right? So part of my sneaking
up on you becoming a quilter plan. Ok so we’re going to hit this with the iron also like
yay. And then what I’m going to do is I’m going to take and I’m going to use this
edge I’ve been working with and I’m going to trim it here, ok? But I’m also only want
it to be 10 ½ inches tall. So here’s another fun trick I can show you. Even if you’re
working with a ruler that’s smaller than what you have to work with. Then what I’m
going to do because I want to trim off the excess from the top. I want to leave that
sew on piece so it looks like I intended it to be there. Then I’m going to come down
and I’m going to come where it’s 10 ½ on this line back here. And then what I can
do is I can start to make my cut here because I have a square line and a square line. Now
I can move the ruler without moving the blade. Park it right there. And now looking at the
square line across the back. And I’m just going to finish that cut out. So that worked
there. And then I had this little piece floating about, perfect or the exact size. Now what
I want to do is as I go right sides together I want to keep both of these pieces down here
at the bottom, ok? So we’re going to stitch one of these two sides. Now if I had one of
these already made, this is the crucial part. Just make one and then prepare to make your
second one. So let’s say I want this fun minty color on the outside, that means that
I want this to be right sides out. This is going to be underneath here right sides down.
When it’s all done that will be my topstitch edge. So now what I do is I flip it over.
I know this seems confusing but I’m building it as I go to my sewing machine. I just switch
it. Bottom came to top and now my seam is where it needed to be as I approached the
machine. Alright, so now we have that where we need. We’re going to bring this over
here, get ready to press it for the topstitching as well. So I”m going to first kind of set
my seam. Now I’m going to fold it over so you can see what I’m doing a little bit
better. Get that line up,. I actually like to use my left hand also in there. There we
go. So we get a nice little press.And now as I go to topstitch I’m going to run not
a quarter of an inch seam but right on the edge. Putting that needle right where that
seam is. And this is a great place to practice because later on we’re going to topstitch.
We want a nice little fine topstitch. We don’t want to go too deep. So practice it here where
it’s not important, ok?
Now we have these pieces built now we’re ready to construct the entire cover. So what
we’re going to do, we’re going to start by building with our interior liner. And that’s
going to be right sides up. I”m looking at all of my seams are going to be at the
bottom of the journal. So I said I wanted my green to now be my exterior of the inner
pocket. That sounds like a big word. But I’m going to line these up like this. And we’re
going to catch all of these seams at once. So if you were nervous that some of this were
to slip around I guess you could put a pin in here but then it would be hard to see.
So I”m going to encourage you just to go ahead and make sure everything stays nice
and square. I am now going to take and I’m going to put that cover. I want to make sure
again that I have all of the bottoms lined up. I’m going to put the exterior cover.
Now it’s going right sides together ok? Everything is right sides together. And we’re
going to sew around here about, you know 80%. We’re going to leave about a three inch
opening over here on one end that we can let ourselves out. So I’m bringing us over.
Now my math is pretty accurate to fitting the composition cover. So we’re going to
make sure we do a quarter of an inch here because we don’t want to let our seams get
too deep because then we’re going to have our covers be a little bit too small. I’m
going to sew all the way off of the corner. Leave my needle down and pivot at the corner
instead of trying to guesstimate where the quarter of an inch is. And if you were watching
very carefully you’ll notice that the other pocket just fell off, is laying on the floor.
So in a second, after I get this secured, I’m going to stop and I”m going to get
that other pocket. We’re just going to build a blooper reel into today’s tutorials for
you. But I’m not going to stop until I need that pocket. So I’m securing this all the
way through. And I just finished securing the first pocket. It’s right here where
that spine basically ends. Excuse me a moment. This is what I was referring to. And remember
it was green sides up but you know you can check, you can just look here it’s easy.
And I’m down here where my seam side was and my topstitches are into the center. So
I’m just going to now bring this in. Line up this back corner, line up this back corner.
Fold all of this over. Lining up these corners first because that’s where I’m sewing
to, pulling that edge no problem whatsoever. However maybe those pins wouldn’t have been
such a bad idea after all. Ok let’s get back to work here. So I”m just going to
sew off this edge as well. Rotate. And because I did drop those pieces on the floor I’m
going to take an extra second, let’s get a stitch in here to hold it. Make sure it’s
nice in here in that corner. Now I’m just going to make sure that everything stayed
as it should have. And it’s looking imperfect. I’m not worried at all. One more rotation.
And don’t worry about those loops of thread.We’re going to dog ear those corners in a second.
Ok I want to make sure my other pocket hasn’t slip from its top location so I’m just going
to double check that corner as well. Make sure everything is as it should be. And as
I come around this fourth corner don’t sew it all the way closed. We have to let ourselves
in so we can turn it right sides out. So again about a three or four finger opening is all
we’re going to need. So I”m going to stop, I’m going to lock that stitching in. And
now as I come off, because I want a really crisp and nice finished cover, I am going
to dog ear the corner. So I’m cutting. I’m not cutting into my stitching. I”m just
cutting basically just right past where the cross of the thread was. Ok, nice and easy.
Now I’m going to reach on in here and start to roll all of my stuff here out. And then
sometimes you have a little panic moment because the pocket comes out on one side. Don’t
worry, you’ve got it. You did it right. Swing that around and now I’m just already
tending to those corners because it just goes right there. And a lot of times I’ll put
a purple thing or a stiletto or even the back end of my little shark rotary cutter in there,
just to get the corners all crisp. Because like I was saying a moment ago we’re going
to now topstitch this to close up that back end. And that’s where I’m going to start.
And then we’re also doing it for a nice finished look. So I’m going to get you started
on that and then I’m going to show you one last trick so bear with me a second while
I fix the corners. You can’t rush this motion. Beautiful. Ok now one of the things I like
to do before I topstitch is I like to try to get this seam. Because again I really want
the smallest amount of seam allowance. I don’t want to take any extra. So I’m just going
to take this and kind of it hold it. Carefully bring in my iron to set a crease like yay.
And now as I come over here and begin my topstitching again I’m just going to stay, just stay
right along this edge. Because if we make too deep of a topstitch we’re just going
to actually start to reduce our seam allowance. And that’s going to make it so that the
cover doesn’t fit perfectly. And I told you I have a trick for that so let me show
you. We’re just going to go right along this edge here. And I’m just going to take
you to one corner because now instead of sewing off of the corner because it still has a little
bit of a rounded effect, I’m going to give it a couple of stitches. And then I’m going
to swing it one more stitch. Swing it all the way, boom, boom. And now I’m again on
that edge and I’ve got a really clean, nice topstitch as I go along there. Now let me
show you what I’m referring to with one of these finished journals. Here you can see
the actual topstitching again that goes all the way around. It was a continual motion,
right? But I had one that I put it together and it was a little bit snug. So let me show
you, the much easier solution than cutting out all that beautiful stitching work is you
can go in here to one of your journals you could take a razor knife and you could just
shave the edge of that. Or you could just shave any of your composition book covers
themselves that are just not fitting because you did such a beautiful job with your journal.
Leave the seam ripper sheathed today and just pull out the razor knife and take care of
business the old fashioned way. Like we love to do, right here at Man Sewing.
But before I let you go today I want to hear from all of you, what did you think of the
actual patchwork version of the composition cover. I thought it was genius, I hope you
did too. We’ll see you next time at Man Sewing.
Oh, hey are you still in here. I thought you would have been checking out some of those
other great videos. You know we’ve got a link there, over there. And hey don’t forget
to subscribe. Make sure you never miss a minute of the action. We’ll catch you next time,
at Man Sewing.