Friday, August 26, 2016

Back to School Blog Hop: Day 3

Parents everywhere are rejoicing as school begins again! In celebration of this special time of the year, we're hosting a Back to School Blog Hop. But "back to school" isn't just for the parents of school kids...it's also for anyone heading off to college, returning to school, or even just looking for a fresh start. With that in mind we're sharing three tutorials this week (plus fabric giveaways!) that will appeal to anyone in a back-to-school mindset!



Today Wendy from Ivory Spring is here, sharing a tutorial for creating a book cover using the Lemon Squeezy collection by Holly Helgeson. Remember back in the day when you covered your hard-covered school books with brown paper bags? No disrespect to the paper bag, but fabric is so much better! So whether it's a high school algebra book or a daily planner like Wendy's, this back-to-school project can protect and beautify your every-day books! 



Here's Wendy: 
Hello Friends, it's great to be back on Sew in love {with Fabric}!  Today, I will share with you the simple way I used to cover up my new planner.  I have a 17-month planner, and I know that the cover will not survive the wear and tear of daily use.



So I decided to cover it with a fabric book cover.  I used a total of (5) 10" squares from Benartex's Lemon Squeezy Precut 10" squares for my planner that measures approximately 12 3/8" (W) x 8 1/2" (L) when opened up -- 2 pink dots for the inside of the cover; and pink lemon, green daisy and yellow banner for the outside of the cover.



Step 1:  I first sew together (2) 10" Precut Squares, result in (1) rectangle that measures 10" (L) x 19 3/4" (W).  So, for a 12 3/8" wide edge to edge (when opened) width of my planner, I will have enough on each side for the flap.



Step 2:  For the remaining squares, I cut 6" x 10" rectangles from the pink lemon and green daisy squares.  I sew the rectangles and the yellow banner precut square together, and that will be the outside of my planner cover.



Step 3:  Now, the pieced outside cover will be a little larger than the pieced inside cover.  So, I laid the two pieces together, and trimmed off the excess from the inside of the cover so that both pieces are even.  That takes care of the dimension of the width.  To take care of the length, I added 1" to the 8 1/2".  So, I trimmed the length of both pieces to measure 9 1/2".  So now, both of the inside and outside of my planner cover measures raw edge to raw edge 9 1/2" x 19 3/4".



Step 4:  Once both pieces were trimmed to size, I sewed both pieces together (right sides together) at 1/4" seam allowance, leaving an opening.  I then turned the inside out through the opening.




Step 5:  I then pressed the cover flat, capturing the seam allowance from the opening. Then,  just stitched the opening shut.  You may choose to finish it by hand so that the stitches aren't as visible, but that was going to be the back flap. So I was okay with those stitches. :)



Step 6:  Once that is done, I laid my opened planner on the planner cover, with the inside of the cover up to decide how wide I want my flaps. I wanted my back flap to be a little wider than the front so that I can slip in papers in the back flap for safe keeping.  Once I decide on the placement, I place a pin to mark the spot, and then, I sewed the flap down (backstitched - sewed - backstitched) on the top and bottom edges about 1/8-1/4" into the edge, depending on how tight you want the fit to be.




I then did the same to the front flap.  You can see from the following picture better the reason to stitch down the bottom and top edges of the flap - because that actually "makes" the flap.



And there you have it!



It's a really quick project to complete in the midst of the back to school chaos.... I got the project done in time for tea time to enjoy a piece of cake!



***

This simple method works for covering other books as well -- you will just need to adjust your Math a little as you go through the procedure.

So to recap -- to do this to fit your book/planner, you will need two pieces of fabric (can be pieced for fun visual effect) of:

Width = width of book + 3-5" extra on each end for flaps

Length = length of book + 1" extra.  You can get by with 3/4" if you are careful, and you will more than likely get a tighter fit.

***

I hope you all have a most wonderful school year ahead!

Thanks Wendy!


For a chance to win Lemon Squeezy fabrics, make sure you follow us here on the blog (options are in the right-hand sidebar). Leave a comment letting us know that you do, as well as telling us what book you'd make a cover for. This giveaway is open through Tuesday, August 30th at 11:59 pm EST. We'll randomly draw a winner and announce it here on the blog. 

Make sure to catch all of the tutorials in our Back to School Blog Hop!
Wednesday: Chris from made by ChrissieD featuring Simply Chic
Thursday: Benartex Blog Design Team featuring Transformation Black & White
Friday: Wendy from Ivory Spring featuring Lemon Squeezy
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79 comments:

  1. I follow your Blog. I would like to make a quilt journal and cover it like this, thanks.
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  2. I'm a follower. Wendy did a great job and the book covers are so much more stylish than the old brown paper bag type.

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  3. I am a Bloglovin' follower! I have a plain ol' black sketchbook that I use for drawing and doodling. I take it with me when traveling and on some walks so I can stop and draw the scenery. It needs a cool book cover like this!

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  4. Very cute fabric and great tutorial. Thank you. As Wendy is so talented and also so organized, I want to find out where she found her 17 month Family organizer? I definitely want to make this cute cover, but also get such an organizer. #CreativeGoodness

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

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  5. I follow by email. I would love to cover my poor old Better Homes and Gardens cookbook which I've had since 1970. It has been well used and really needs a new cover.

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  6. I follow by email. So many of my books would be greatly improved with a cover like this, I guess I'll have to make a bunch!

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  7. Lovin' the Lemon Squeezy! I follow the blog and via email. The book: well, my cancer journal has a rather boring cover. Perhaps something in pink?

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  8. I follow by email. Would love to cover a photo album with fabric that represents the destination visited.
    basaran.family@rogers.com

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  9. I follow by email. My first cover would be for the sketchbook that I've just started using. Thanks for the tutorial and chance to win.

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  10. I follow you through email. I would make a cover for my quilting journal. Thank you so much for this tutorial.

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  11. Thanks for a great tutorial! Love the idea of having a bigger back flap to put papers etc behind it. I just bought some notebooks and planned to cover them for my different projects and class notes. This post came just in time! :-D

    Thanks for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. I follow you by email. I would love to make a cover like this for my quilt planner. Perfect!

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  13. I hadn't thought about making book covers, but now I'll be looking for a book that could use one! I follow on my blogger dashboard/GFC.

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  14. I follow the blog by email. I make a cover for my planner also! Great idea!

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  15. I follow by email! I would make covers for several of my favorite hard cover quilt books. This is a great tutorial! Thank you so much for sharing and for the chance to win this beautiful fabric collection! Have a fantastic creative day!

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  16. I'm a blog follower.So yummiest fabric.I made one to cover book when I go to the park or bech or when I travel by bus train or tube...This one would be gorgeous for my journal..Thanks for the tutorial.

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  17. I follow via Bloglovin. I'd mKe a cover for my bread machine cookbook...it gets used to death! Thanks for sharing the giveaway!

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  18. I follow the blog with email and GFC. I would make a cover for my address book.

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  19. I am a follower. I would cover my notebook I take to classes.

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  20. I follow by email. Nice tutorial, but then I like everything Wendy! Will cover a composition book.

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  21. I follow by email, and I'm dating myself, but I made plenty of book covers from those brown paper bags! LOL This is a wonderful alternative, and the fabrics are so cute! I would want to make a cover for my journal...composition book size.

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  22. I'm an email follower and I'd love to cover my daily journal thanks.

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  23. I follow you by email; with these cute fabrics, I'd make a cover for my day planner.

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  24. Oh, Wow!! I remember those brown paper bags being cut up for book covers and then doing it again mid-year!! I follow through blog-lovin and email. If all books were the same size, I could make one cover and move it to whichever book I was reading.

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  25. Id love to stitch a Lemon Squeezy cover for my favorite Smoothie Recipe Book. Two little gals w/September birthdays will get one too, right on time for start of school season. I follow Sew in Love w/Fabric by email. Thank you ever so much.

    schimmel(dot)db(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. Too cute! I follow via email. I would make a cover for my favorite cookbook.

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  27. what lovely fabrics. i like the cover. thanks for sharing how to do this. so simple really. i follow by email

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  28. I follow by email and bloglovin! I'd cover my fav cookbook with some Lemon Squeezy....might keep it from falling apart!

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  29. I follow you via email (wordygirl@earthlink.net). I'd like to cover our family phone book with the lemon squeezy fabrics; they're so cheery!

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  30. I follow by email. I would make covers for several books that my daughter is reading..she reads 4-5 books at the same time. I don't know how she does it.

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  31. I follow your blog via email. I would make a cover for my Bible. dawnm1993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. I follow you thru Email & Bloglovin :)

    I covered a notebook with a Hexie print fabric...just to doodle in :)

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  33. I follow by email. My great niece loves drawing - I would purchase a sketchbook and cover it for her.

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  34. I follow by e-mail--I would cover a notebook to document quilts I have made.
    bjkaup(at)(abbnebraska)(dot)(com)

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  35. I followed on bloglovin and suscribed.
    I would make a cover for my quilting notebook so it does not get mixed in with my others like it always does...lol
    laura333369@gmail.com

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  36. I followed on bloglovin and suscribed.
    I would make a cover for my quilting notebook so it does not get mixed in with my others like it always does...lol
    laura333369@gmail.com

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  37. I am a follower on bloglovn! What sweet fabric! I would love to make a cover for my recipe book I am making! thanks!

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  38. I follow you via email notification.
    I think I would cover some of those small cheapy dollar store photo albums to make them cuter! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
    kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  39. E-mail subscriber! I'd make a cover for my Crossword Puzzle Dictionary!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  40. I follow via email as a subscriber. I would make a cover for a family photo album. Thanks!! micheletimms at gmail dot com

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  41. I follow this blog via Bloglovin. I scribble my quilt notes in so many small spiral bound notebooks it would be nice to have a larger journal covered in some fantastic fabrics to use instead. I really need to create one.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  42. I follow on bloglovin......Would make great book covers for my reading books.... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  43. I follow via Google Friends Connect and will make a cover for the planner I use to plan my daily menus. Thank you Wendy for a great tutorial.

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  44. I follow via bloglovin'. I would probably make a cover for my son's therapy binder.

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  45. I follow the Benartex blog and the Facebook page and get the Mr B's preview packs. I would cover my planner/journal; I have gotten a bit obsessed with my bullet journal

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  46. I follow the Benartex blog and the Facebook page and get the Mr B's preview packs. I would cover my planner/journal; I have gotten a bit obsessed with my bullet journal

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  47. I follow via email. And, I think a cover for a quilt journal is in order.

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  48. I follow via Bloglovin'. I keep notes of all my projects in hardcover notebooks so I'm thinking I should make a cover for my current one!

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  49. I follow via email! I love how sweet the Lemon Squeezy line is! I'd most likely make a small snuggle quilt. :)

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  50. I follow on Bloglovin. I have a cook book that I received as a wedding gift 40 years ago that I would make a cover for. Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  51. Hi all,What a great idea. Here In Callifornia we covered composition books with a pocket on the front to hold a pen or pencil, plus a ribbon sewn into the top middle as a bookmark. Most academic (17month) calendars can be found at a stationary store, or Barnes and Nobel, there are a few at WalMart too. Thank you for your wonderful blog.

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  52. I follow on Bloglovin'. Would like to make a cover for my weekly planner.

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  53. I follow via email. I would make a cover for a quilt book. Thanks.

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  54. HI,I follow on blog lovin'! I'd make a cover for an old Cook Book of my Grandmother's>so neat! Thanks for your blog+giveaway too! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  55. Cute use of the fabrics, Wendy! I follow via email. I have a planner I need to cover. I also have a small notebook I carry, and would love to make a cover for that. Thanks.

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  56. I follow by email. My granddaughter would receive a covered journal for her birthday. Next I would make a sketchbook cover for my granddaughter in law.

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  57. I follow by email. My granddaughter would receive a covered journal for her birthday. Next I would make a sketchbook cover for my granddaughter in law.

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  58. I follow on bloglovin. I have a few plain notebooks that could use some sprucing up!

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  59. I follow on bloglovin. I have some journals that I carry everyday that I would make covers for.

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  60. I follow on Bloglovin. I would probably make a nice new cover for my bible. It is looking a little worn and I'd like it to be bright and cheery inside and out. My email is agatto1@msn.com

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  61. I follow on Bloglovin and a cover for my quilt journal would be nice. cotten.gloria@gmail.com

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  62. I follow via email....these fabrics are so cute....I love the lemony yellow. Wendy's tutorial is great---but then, they always are. Thank you.

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  63. I follow you on bloglovin & your blog. I have a large ring binder that I keep all my quilt patterns in that I am working on, this cover idea would be perfect for it! Great idea!

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  64. I just started following you by email! I love the cover and would make a nice flashy cover for my organizer that I keep in my purse.

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  65. I already follow your blog! Yay! I am in the process of getting all of the free patterns and info that I have printed out for the past 5-6 years into a 3 ring binder. A pretty cover on the binder made of this fabric would look great!

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  66. Wendy did a wonderful job with her planner cover. I would cover my small notebook that goes with me everywhere. The top pages are getting to show quite a bit of abuse. :o I tried to follow with bloglovin, but the link didn't work, so I am following with FB until I figure out how to follow with bloglovin. ;) Thanks for the fun!!

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  67. I follow you via e-mail. Love this cover -- I'd make one to cover my ideas book where I keep notes and rough sketches of quilt projects I'd like to make.

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  68. I follow your blog and Wendy's blog. I think I would make a cover for a composition notebook. The Lemon Squeezy fabric is cute!
    Thanks for the giveaway?

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  69. I follow you via bloglovin (along with Wendy, too). I have a binder that I use to store PDF patterns I've bought. That would be a great use.

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  70. I would do as you did and cover the 18 month planner I plan to pick up today.

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  71. Love following your blog; it's full of great ideas. I'm going to cover my planner; what a great idea. It will look so nice on my desk!

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  72. Fun new blog.....thank you! Cute, cute book cover. Not sure which book will receive a cover, but I'll figure it out!

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  73. I follow on Bloglovin. I've been making covers for composition books to sell at our guild fundraiser but I think Wendy's method may be easier! Will have to try it out!
    cathylouwilson@gmail.com

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  74. will hane to make Wendys book cove so cute'

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  75. I follow you through Blog Lovin and on Facebook! I would cover my quilting notebook that I use to keep track of my projects that I am working on.

    Sandy A

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  76. I follow by email. I would make a cover for my sewing planning notebook and for my prayer journal.

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  77. Love the fabric. Planning on covering my date book and a journal. Thank you for the tutorial and giveaway. Now following by email.

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  78. I follow Wendy's blog, and now I'm a new email follower to your blog! I've already started making my FIRST cover for my quilting journal, and then there's my favorite cook book and some cupcake fabric, and...this could be addictive! Thanks for the give away--really cute fabric!

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