Here is my very first tutorial -- I hope you enjoy making a composition cover. This tutorial was put together for the Quilt It Quick Saturday group -- I can't wait to see your pictures!
What you need: 1 composition book (from the dollar store measures 7 1/2" x 9 3/4")
Center square -- great for panels -- this one measures 7 1/2 inches **
If you don't want to use a block or panel cut the center strip 5 x 15 1/2 inches
Fabric for rectangles -- you need 12 rectangles 3" x 3 1/4"
Fabric for the back of the journal - (center strip) 7 1/2 x 8 1/2 (you can make it a little longer and trim it - when you size it up with the lining -- I would cut it 7 1/2 x 9 inches
Lining fabric cut 10 1/4" x 15 1/2 inches
Inner flaps cut 2 10 1/4 x 10 1/2inches - fold in have and press so they measure 10 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches
**If your center block measures 6 1/2 then make the the back of your journal measure 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 or 9 3/4. 6 1/2 inch is a very common size block and you might want to use an orphan block for this.
Here is the fabrics I chose for this one:
I trimmed my panel to 7 1/4 inch square
I then sewed my rectangles together -- here are the 12 I had cut.
You sew them together on the 3 1/4 inch side - once this is sewn press to one direction
Then sew the back of the composition book (mine is the green) to the panel -- if you don't want to use a panel or extra block -- just cut a 5 x 15 1/2 inch strip
Now sew the center strip to the rectangles for the top and bottom -- Press.
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This will be larger than you need -- that is ok always better to have a larger piece to trim down then a too small piece -- Now trim you top (this is now the top of the composition book) to 10 1/4 from top to bottom -- you might want to make this 10 1/2 inches to make not so tight - the 10 1/4 inch cover is tight.
so cut it 10 1/2 or 10 1/4 inches x 15 1/2 or 15 3/4 for a less tight fit.
so it should measure either 10 1/4 x 15 1/2 or 10 1/2 x 15 3/4 for a little roomy fit.
BE SURE TO CENTER THE CENTER STRIP WHEN YOU TRIM THE TOP AND BOTTOM
These are the two flaps that hold it all together --- they should already be folded in and again you can cut these a little large if you like. They should be either 10 1/2 x 5 1/4 or 10 1/4 x 5 1/4 - depending on how tight you want them to fit.
Now we are almost done -- lay your top down facing up -- then place your flaps raw edges together on the ends and then cover with the lining right sides together.
I used the same green for the flaps and the lining but there are 3 layers here -- I pin in the corners.
Now sew around the edge -- remember to leave an opeinng in the bottom for turning.
All sewed up -- just turn right sides out and press
Here it is before it is pressed -- press and then hand stitch the opening closed
Now your almost done -- just slip your composition book into the flaps
And there you now have a fantastic journal!
Happy Stitches
Dorothy
