At this time of year I’ve always got my eye out for sweet and simple DIY projects that make the perfect gifts, all the more special because you added a bit of your own elbow grease to the mix. There’s nothing more I personally love to receive at Christmas than a new notebook, the perfect accessory for the fresh start that goes hand in hand with a new year (along with a hangover and soon to be defunct new year’s resolutions). Add a little bit more love to your notebook gifts with a hint of customised fabric, I went with girly florals but you can tailor yours to the needs of your giftee (whether than be you, or someone else!).
You need:
- A notebook
- white/school glue
- scissors
- a ruler
- a length of white and floral fabrics
How to:
1. The white fabric is to line the notebook so no colour shows through and the notebook has a soft, luxe feel. Cut your white fabric to the size of your notebook.
2. Spread some glue on your notebook and use the paintbrush to distribute evenly all the way to the edges.
3. Press the white fabric on and smooth with your fingers, and then close the book to tighten the fabric. Trim the edges using scissors. Repeat with a second layer of white fabric if you choose (we wanted extra softness so that’s what we did!).
4. Place your book on top of the floral fabric. Using a ruler and pencil, mark 2.5cm (1 inch) all the way around the book.
5. Cut the fabric out.
6. Add the glue on top of the white fabric and use the paintbrush to once again distribute evenly.
7. Place the fabric on top, making sure to line up evenly with the edges.
8. Use your fingers to press the fabric into the spine.
9. Turn the book over and open to the inside cover. Add glue about 1 inch around the long edge using the paintbrush.
10. Fold over and press the fabric down.
11. Cut the fabric to the corner as shown.
12. Place some glue on the edge of the fabric as shown.
3. Fold over into a triangle.
14. Put some glue along the short edge and then fold the fabric over. The folded triangle edge should cover the raw edges of the other side.
15. Trim the fabric away from the spine of the book and add a dab of glue to secure it.
16. Finally, put some glue on the page you just folded into, and press down the first page so you cover all the edges
Voila!
lovely diy!
adorable idea! might do something like this as a gift for my coworkers – always in need of cute notebooks 🙂
So cute, I must do it
http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es
I’ve done this before on a picture frame. Now I found another reason to use those old fabrics. This will surely make for a great Christmas gift. Thanks for the inspiration.
Fantastic DIY idea! I love receiving (and giving) gifts like these – something that you’ve put your own time and thought into and you know is going to be used well!
I saw some amazing watermelon print fabric in the store the other day but didn’t buy it because i thought i’d never wear it…but it would be so perfect to make this gift with!
Kate x
my blog: bleached mort
Such a simple and easy DIY- love your step by step photos, they make the tutorial very easy to understand! Thanks!
–Margo
Maybe spray the outside once complete with scotchguard, so that the fabric does not soil as much.
What a great idea! I have to try this!
Such a lovely idea, these are gorgeous! 🙂
http://www.notanotherbeautyblog.co.uk
I too love a good notebook – I have way too many though but I just can’t help myself!
I’m definitely book marking this page, it’s such a simple idea but looks the real business!
Such a great diy and I have this ugly notebook laying around in my room so I’m defenitely going to try this out 🙂
xx Julia
http://followthefashionrookie.blogspot.de/?m=1
These are lovely! Definitely going to make them at some point 🙂
What a lovely idea! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
This is such a great idea!! I have a diary that could do with updating! x
Laviniah
http://bffbestfootforward.blogspot.co.uk
Love it! Will have to try.
Love of Cuteness
This is so cute, I have to try it!
**GIVEAWAY** on my blog!
http://ladykfashionparty.blogspot.com/2013/12/giveaway.html
That’s great. I keep diary and that idea it would be even more personalized.
accidentallyblogger.blogspot.com
Really nice!!
Kisses…
Yo, yo misma y mi armario
Wow, these are beautiful 🙂
You’re absolutely right; the handmade present is awesome. 🙂
A very cute result <3
XO
http://great-fashion-passion.blogspot.de
This is such a cute idea! I think it’ll actually be great for covering all those unused notebooks I have lying around 🙂 Maybe it’ll inspire me to start using them again…
Thanks for sharing, these are adorable and would make wonderful gifts!
This is such a great idea- may have to try this for my sister Charlie <3
Lovely idea
Such a cute idea! I will definitely be trying this!
http://staciamia.blogspot.com.au
Great DIY! Would love to try it!
xx Nicole
http://npk-blog.blogspot.com
This is such a great idea!!
Oh this reminds me of the times when I used to decorate everything with floral napkins and glue 😀
http://love-your-ego.blogspot.de
this reminds me of how my grandpa used to wrap all of my books at the beginning of each school year!
thank you for the recall of my sweetest memory <3 have a nice day!
wawachunks.com
Such pretty fabrics! A lovely tutorial 🙂
What a lovely idea! I’m making DIY hampers for friends and family Christmas presents this year so something like this would be a lovely addition!
Cool! I never thought about making my own notebook covers before. I use a lot of notebooks and I normally buy ones with pretty covers. Now I can select a fabric and do it myself.
Such a simple yet lovely idea, going to try this out! 🙂 x
Oh this is fantastic! I’ve been wanting to add a personal touch to some gifts (and am a total budget this year), and this looks like exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’m picturing a kitchen recipe version for my mother-in-law, a wine notes version for my Napa-dwelling friend… Off to the craft store for me!
As always, thanks for sharing 🙂
Sarah
http://sanfranista.me
[…] of handmade gifts (see yesterday’s post), over the last couple of weeks I’ve been collecting ideas for presents made from second hand […]
Sweet idea! Simple enough and perfect as a last minute gift 🙂
http://cafecraftea.blogspot.com
What a unique and affordable gift idea!!
such a great idea, why didn’t I think of this?
I like the fabrics you chose, very liberty london
That’s what I thought actually 😉
two thumbs up!
Thanks!
[…] out there{Country Living} 5. Fabric Covered Notebooks ~ why not a journal kick start the new year? {A Pair & A Spare} 6. Potato Print Tote Bag ~ more room to fill with clutter {Childer House Blog} 7. Neon Dipped […]
thank you for the tutorial. i’ve made one for myself but using white flannel for extra softness and Indonesian traditional fabric called batik 🙂
Świetny pomysł !
Precioso, me encanta.
incredible, so cute 🙂
gracias, saludos desde España.
a kiss for you!! <3
I made this to decore my school notebooks and don’t know what happened but fabric doesn’t glue to the cardboard, the glue just dries into the fabric 🙁
I’m trying this right now! My notebook where I list every book I read is going floral!
[…] * thank you to : les falbalas for this lovely post * recipe : chocolate hazelnut pavlova with marinated raspberries* a favourite from the past year : bleu et blanc* fashion inspiration : on carven coats & cashmere [mybougeotte.com]* travel : the almalfi coast, bologna, venice, london & dublin* pretty underthings : one & two* for the new year : winter detox [goop.com]* at home : open closets, one & two [lefashionimage.blogspot.com]* at the office : malachite desk accessories [neimanmarcus.com]* DIY : floral fabric covered notebooks [apairandasparediy.com] […]
[…] (source: a pair and a spare) […]
Woah this looks so cute!! Definitely gonna do this soon! 🙂
[…] * thank you to : les falbalas for this lovely post * recipe : chocolate hazelnut pavlova with marinated raspberries * a favourite from the past year : bleu et blanc * fashion inspiration : on carven coats & cashmere [mybougeotte.com] * travel : the almalfi coast, bologna, venice, london & dublin * pretty underthings : one & two * for the new year : winter detox [goop.com] * at home : open closets, one & two [lefashionimage.blogspot.com] * at the office : malachite desk accessories [neimanmarcus.com] * DIY : floral fabric covered notebooks [apairandasparediy.com] […]
Oh I did a very similar DIY myself back in early 2013. Mine’s of course not as well described as yours but here it is 🙂
http://pridenstyle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/refashioning-boring-notebooks-to-pretty.html
[…] DIY Cheap and Easy Fabric Covered Notebooks Tutorial from A Pair & A Spare here. […]
I love how detailed this tutorial is! Thanks for sharing. I’m not super girly and I even love te tiny floral print you chose. I’ll definitely be working on this over the weekend!
[…] blogu A Pair and A Spair znajdziesz super tutorial jak wykleić sobie ładny zeszyt. […]
These looks great! Must do it 🙂