Those of you who know me well know that I balance a lot of different things in my life — full-time job that is busy, managing Create Whimsy (my passion project) and making time to create — whether it is making my own clothes, art quilts, home dec or small creative projects to keep me busy. I use journals to keep notes and write my to-do lists. And I like to use different color pens for my to-do lists, so it is clear what needs to be done for the segments of my life. Here is how to make a composition book cover with pen quiver, to keep all of my colored pens close at hand!
For this project I used Kraft-Tex, a paper product that looks similar to leather but cuts, sews and washes like fabric. Learn all about working with Kraft-Tex in this article on Create Whimsy.
How to Make a Book Cover with Pen Quiver
Keep your pens handy with this custom book cover with pen quiver that is super simple to make with Kraft-Tex.
Materials
- 1/2 yard Kraft-Tex or other sturdy fabric like canvas or home dec fabrics
- Fabric scrap for pen quiver, 3-1/2 inch by 12-inch, and a scrap that is about 3-3/4 inches by 4-inches
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Ironing board
- Iron
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Wonder clips
Instructions
- Start by laying your composition book open on your Kraft-Tex (or other fabric that doesn't ravel like felt, or a piece of fabric where you finish the edges).
- The width of the Kraft-Tex allows for about 1-1/2" on each side to make flaps to hold the notebook in the cover. Cut the fabric about 1/2-inch more than the height of the book, so you have room for seam allowance. This book is 11-inches high, so I cut the piece 11-1/2".
- Next, sew the background of the pen quiver to the fabric for the front of the notebook cover. Make sure to remember that about 1-1/2" at each end will be folded to the inside. Use quilt clips, like Wonder Clips, to hold the fabric in place. (NOTE: If you are making the cover from Kraft-Tex, don't use pins - they leave holes!)
I had this scrap of an old damask linen napkin that I had painted with Dy-na-flo paints and then did some surface design with stamps. I thought it was perfect to make the pen quiver on this green Kraft-Tex. I cut it 3-1/2" wide by 12-inches. This gives a little extra to trim up later.
- Topstitch the background of the pen quiver to the Kraft-Tex. I used my 1/4-inch foot to make the stitching line nice and straight.
- Next, audition fabrics for the pockets for the pens. I make sure the pockets are the right depth so my pens will fit.
- Trim the bottom to a little longer than you need. Also, you'll see the pocket is about 1/4-inch wider than the quiver background fabric. That gives each pen pocket a little ease so that the pens fit in easily.
Stitch both edges to the background, close to the edge. You'll have that little bit of excess fabric in the middle - it doesn't lay flat (and isn't supposed to!).
Measure from stitching line to stitching line and divide by 3. I had exactly 3", so I put a pin ONLY in the fabric at 1" intervals. The pins will guide sewing the channels for the pens.
- Here I am sewing the channels for the pens. You'll see they don't lay flat against the background.
- Next, wrap the book cover around your composition book and pull it tight. Use quilt clips to hold the fold - this creates the final fold lines to make the flaps.
Gently remove the composition book, put the clips back on exactly where they were when the book was inside the cover.
- Topstitch top and bottom 1/4-inch from the edge. Again, I like to use my 1/4-inch quilting foot for a nice straight line. This secures the flaps to the inside and finishes the bottom of the pen quiver.
- Trim the edges of the pen quiver fabrics so they are even with the Kraft-Tex.
- Insert your composition book and enjoy your new composition book cover with pen quiver!
Notes
Learn more about working with Kraft-Tex in our comprehensive article.
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What can you use as a book cover?
We’ve used Kraft-Tex for this book cover, but you can use any fabric or paper to make a book cover with the same basic directions. With fabrics that ravel, finish the edge of the fabric with a zig-zag stitch or a serger. With paper, use double sided tape or glue to secure the flaps. It would be difficult to make the pen quiver with paper, though. 🙂
Have fun with different designs and fabrics. You can use stamps and markers on the cover to add design or words, making each book cover custom!
Browse through more projects using Kraft-Tex on Create Whimsy.
