A Cute and Easy Moleskine Cover Tutorial

I always have a pocket-sized Moleskine sketch book and an 05 Micron nearby in case I get any random ideas that I feel like jotting down or sketching. I'm more likely to look back through a little sketch book for ideas rather than look through the notes section of my phone. I think it's more fun to doodle or write than type, and I have an easier time building on ideas when I write them down or draw them than if I'm just tapping away on a keyboard. So, I decided it would be fun to make a cute little cover for my trusty Moleskine, and even better if I added a spot to keep my pen. Here's how I did it:

1. Cut out a piece of fabric that's about an inch taller and about three times as wide as your notebook. My piece of fabric was about 13.5" x 7" (I'm using a pocket size Molesking sketch book.)

2. Press the top and bottom edges down, wrong sides together. You want this width to be about the size of your notebook, plus a little extra for seam allowance. Then press the left and right sides, wrong sides together. It should look something like this:

3. Fold one side around the front cover of your notebook, and then the other side around the back cover so it looks like this:

4. Finger press along the edges of each cover so that when you take the fabric off of the notebook, you'll be able to tell where you need to pin it. 

5. Take the cover off of your notebook, press where you just finger pressed, and then pin into place. Like this:

You will notice that my two sides aren't even - I was working very quickly! You can make yours even if you want to :)

6. Stitch along the edges you just pinned, as close to the edge as you can get. Backstitch both ends so they won't come unraveled. When you're finished, it should look like this:

7. Slide the cover onto the notebook...

and there you go! You have a totally cute cover for your Moleskine. 

It would be just lovely as is, but if you feel like getting a little fancier, keep going...

8. Grab your favorite pen and a long piece of ribbon, rickrack, twill tape... something that is wide enough to hold your pen in place and long enough tie your book together. You want it to be long enough to wrap around your book and then tie a bow. I didn't have any ribbon, so I just used some bias tape. 

9. Wrap the ribbon around your book so the ends are even, then lay the pen on top of your book cover, under the ribbon, and pin on both sides of your pen. Make sure it's not too loose (or the pen will fall out) and not too tight (or it might pull at the fabric cover.) Like this:

See the pins? When you take your pen out, it should look like this:

Notice, the placement of the pins will not interfere with the sleeve of the book cover. You don't want to stitch that closed, or else you won't be able to get your book inside the cover!

10: Take the cover off of the book, and then stitch where you have the ribbon pinned in place. An easy way to do it is to line the pin up with the presser foot down, right where the needle will pass. Like this:

Then, take the pin out and sew. I made one pass, backstitched to the top, and then went over it again, so that it would be nice and sturdy. When you're finished, it will look like this:

11. Put your cover on your notebook, stick the pen in its place and tie a pretty bow... You're finished!

Cute, right? Good job :)

These would make great gifts for anyone who likes to doodle or make lists. I really want to make one out of oilcloth to keep in my purse. 

I hope you have fun making some of these. If you do, please link to a picture in the comments, I would love to see your variations!

<3 Lindsay

Comments

[Kait]

I love it! I was just thinking today how I need to start carrying one. I even have a few lying around just dying to be covered. I love your fabric! What is it? Where did you get it?

Have you seen this fabric moving around blogland? I love it and must have some! http://ow.ly/3wnSG

[EileenJosephine]

Thanks Kait! I don't know what the fabric is, it was just some fat quarter I got a really long time ago from a quilt shop in Hampton or something. I have NOT seen that fabric around blogland yet, but it is to die for! Thanks for the tip. Can't wait to see your Moleskine covers :) ps. I am going to send you some fabric that you can use for hexagons <3

[Eleni Drinks Tea]

Wow, this is such a brilliant and timely project - I filled my last handbag notebook and have been searching for a nice new one with no luck, but now I can just buy a boring one and make it snazzy! With a pen holder no less! Marvellous. Thank you for sharing :)

[moe]

I have to make one of these! I just got a sewing machine for xmas & have been messing around on it for a few days. I think finally I am going to finish a dress I started about 3 years ago. I hope it still fits lol.

I discovered your blog from The Freckled Italian. Happy Wednesday!

[Elizabeth]

I just made one! Can't say it's as perfect because I hand sewed it, but I love it! Thanks so much for the tutorial.

[hannah]

i just made one too and i lovelove the tutorial. thank you so much for sharing :) http://provinzkindchen.blogspot.com/2011/03/120311-diy.html

[Lila]

<3

[poppyinpink]

Thanks for the beautifully presented and really clear tutorial!