Check out my quick (and I mean really quick – I’m talking about 10 minutes quick!) video tutorial on how to make these Easy Cork or Leather Notebook Covers!
Before you watch the video, be sure to download the templates here:
PATTERN – Easy Cork or Leather Notebook Cover
You can make this project with ANY fabric that you can cut and leave raw – that includes cork fabric, leather, vinyl, and wool. Leave the cover plain or decorate it with some hand embroidery, machine embroidery, or even some English Paper Piecing!
I used one 18″ x 27″ piece of fabric to make one cover. You can find beautiful cork fabric or glitter vinyl from my shop to make your notebook cover with!
The pattern fits one standard-sized composition notebook sized 7-1/2″ x 9-3/4″ (which you can find at your local office supply store, or even at the dollar store!). I’ve also included a bonus pattern for your 2018 Quilter’s Planner!
Thanks for the pattern. Can’t wait for the video. I have lots of home dec vinyl leather like ‘samples’ that would be perfect for this. And, you just can’t go wrong with Tula Pink and Tula’s embroidery designs. 🙂
Definitely, the samples sound like the perfect thing to use!!
Thank you so much for sharing this project
Thanks for stopping by, Rosineia!
Thank you for this tutorial. I’m excited to try this with cork and EPP. I live in the UK please could somebody tell me the height/width of a standard composition notebook as there are a few different sizes available when I’ve looked on eBay and non are described as standard. I’d like to try it with the correct sized notebook before I try it on other sizes so I know how it should fit. Thanks in advance for your help.
HI Sue, the ones I have are about 9-3/4″ x 7-1/2″. Hope this helps!
Thanks very much Sara … it does help. Much appreciated.
I have about ten notebooks, now I can spruce them up. Thank you for toturtial and pattern.
love your videos. so comprehensive and easy to follow. Love making Bags!
Thank you Diane, happy sewing!
Hello from phila.
Hi Sara, Thanks for the tutorial! One question: Where did you get the teflon foot for a Juki 2010Q? Thanks!
Hi Carolle! I believe I bought it on ebay (it was a generic foot that fit the machine)
Sara, thank you so much for this video and pattern. What a great, quick, easy project. Love it when there is a blank canvas to decorate!
Thanks for the pattern and video. I enjoyed it. I’m inspired to go make some as gifts
Thanks Debbie, can’t wait to see what you make!
Sure looks easy enough … your instructions were quite clear … thank you
Thank you Jeanne!
I cannot wait to try it with Kraft-Tex!
Your video for the book cover was very good. However the notebook that I want to cover is a little
larger- 26.6 cm x 20.3 cm. Could you please let me know what size of cork should I use. I would make a template but I don’t know what dimensions I should use. If you can tell me how to figure it out, that would be great.
Barbara Noyes
Can you tell me how to care for the cork fabric?
The cork is really easy to care for – I would suggest keeping it rolled (rather than folded) in your sewing room. Once it’s sewn into a bag, it’s water-resistant, so just use a damp rag to wipe it as needed. Thank you!
Thanks for the video. Are there any restrictions on the type of embroidery (i.e. # of stitches or density)? Have tried embroidery on Kraftex & design was too dense & cut the fabric. Thanks.
Hi Diane, I actually did not embroider those myself (I don’t have an embroidery machine), but I’d invite you to ask in my Facebook group – several of the ladies have already made this with cork. https://www.facebook.com/groups/sewsweetnessfans
Thank you so much for the video! Can’t wait to make one!
Thank you
Hi Sara. This looks like so much fun & the video is great. I can buy either soft cover or hard cover notebooks. Is there one you would suggest over the other?
Hi Debby! I actually used both – you just need to open the hardback wide in order to get it in the lining ‘sleeves’. Hope this helps!
Loved your video! These designs look like they are a pretty high stitch count? Any advice with stabilizers? Thanks, Sandy
Hi Sandy! I actually don’t have an embroidery machine yet (these were embroidered for me by friends), but the ladies in my Facebook group suggested floating the cork rather than hooping it, to avoid creases to the cork. Hope this helps!
I have made coasters with the cork & I hooped sticky stabilizer & then finger pressed the cork to it. I’m finishing by sewing felt to the back. Works well.
I’m going to use Tula Pink with binding. Thank you, great pattern, as always.
H Sara! I will definitely be making some of these for my teacher coworkers. I don’t have an embroidery machine but I do want to add something to the front. I have a silhouette machine so my question is it ok to use HTv vinyl on the cork fabric or adhesive vinyl?
Hi Tina! I’m not completely sure since I have not done that – my first inclination is that would be okay, but I would suggest testing it on a small scrap of fabric first. Thank you!
So happy to have found your page, 🙂 Where did you find the embroidery designs that you used?
It seems like if you are not sure you have the exact same notebook size, you could trace the notebook cover onto the pattern piece with a pencil to check the size.
What stitch length do you use on cork fabric?
Hi Lori! On my machine, for the topstitching I used 3mm stitch length. Hope this helps!
I am printing from Adobe reader at actual size, but the pattern is printing at exactly the same size of the composition notebook. Not sure if this is a coincidence or a product of wireless printing or ?? I have confirmed that my composition notebook is indeed the same size as Sara’s. I have played with percentages… but am unsure how much larger this pattern needs to be than the notebook. How much ease should be included in addition to the 1/8″ around? I don’t want to waste cork/vinyl trying to figure out the best approach.
Hi Tami, my pattern piece measures 9.85″ along the straight (cut on the fold) edge, is that what you have? I have a video showing how to print a pdf pattern, in case you need to check your printer settings: https://sewsweetness.com/2022/05/video-how-to-print-a-pdf-sewing-pattern.html
I’m in Germany, and the notebook sizes are different from the American dimensions. How do I accommodate for that? Thanks!
Hello there, I would suggest increasing the length and height of the pattern piece based on the difference of your notebook (the notebook in the example is 7-1/2″ x 9-3/4″).