Inspired Date Book Cover

Have you ever been to Just Something I Made?

Cathe does some really cute crafts

{lots of goodies with paper}

and she provides adorable downloads.

Yesterday she posted about covering her

day-planner with a vintage book

It was adorable.

And her drab day-planner that she covered?

It's the same one I've been toting around

uncovered

for four months now.

It was an IHTDIN project.

(That's technical terms for I Have To Do It Now

also known as I will not clean the toilets until this is complete!)

I went straight to my book shelf to find a suitable book.

This is when I learned I really love all my books.

What was a girl in need of instant gratification to do?

I sewed one!

You need:

an outer fabric

liner fabric

heavy duty stabilizer

decorations

pocket fabric, if you want pockets.

Start by cutting your main outside fabric.

I cut the top and bottom each about 3/4 " larger than the book.

I cut the each of the sides about 1 1/2" larger.

Cut a liner piece the same size.

Cut your heavy duty interfacing to the size of your planner.

Cut two out (one for the front, one for the back)

Then sew on your decorations to the outside fabric.

Be creative!

You could monogram your name

or print your kids' picture onto some fabric and add that

I had a vintage napkin I sewed on

and then cut it to size.

I also added some ribbon.

Fold the outside in half and slipped your planner in.

Then fold the flaps inward and make a mark where it would be creased.

This way you know where to put your pockets.

Remember to close your book all the way before marking-

it uses more fabric closed than when it's open.

Cut out your pockets and hem the top.

I used the other side of the napkin and used

the existing hem.

Then pin it in place

and sew it on.

Lay out the top you just finished decorating.

put the lining on top of it face down.

Right sides of the fabric should be together.

Pin and sew around the edges

but leave one entire edge open.

Turn it inside out and press.

Topstitch the left edge (the short side).

Lay your book in it again and pin the finished side

where it should go on your book.

Then take your unfinished side and measure up where it should go.

Fold the extra in on itself so that it is the correct size.

Press all your creases but don't sew yet.

Open it all back up and slide you interfacing in.

Use the creases as a guide. You want the interfacing to

be as close to the crease as possible.

(That was when we sew around the edge we'll be sure to sew the

interfacing down, too)

Pin the left side in place. Then insert the interfacing for the right side.

Again make sure it is close to the other crease.

Pin and topstitch the right edge.

Pin and topstitch all the way around the cover.

TaDa!

You're Done!

Clear as mud.

Confused? Email Me (:

If you make one

I'd love to see pics!