Sunday 19 April 2015

Ho Ho Ho: Covered Notebooks

On the 18th of every month there is a linky party with free Tutorials co-ordinated by Fiona @Celtic Thistle Stitches and Paula@Mud Pies and Pins.  It's called Ho, Ho, Ho and On We Sew.  The idea being to get a head start on presents and makes for Christmas that we always leave to the last minute.

I know Spring is finally here and Santa has been relegated to the North Pole but for some reason, I can never get myself motivated to start Christmas makes until after Halloween and then never get things finished by the time December rolls around.  So this year I thought I'd join in the fun.  After all my Night sky quilt was finished in January so I thought I was off to a good start!

February was crazy busy and then 18th March was the day after St.Patrick's day so I completely forgot!  This month though, I'm linking up to the linky hosted @SLIK stitches where Benta has a tutorial for a countdown to Christmas calendar (according to the xmasclock.com its 249 sleeps 'til Christmas in case you were wondering!)


So my festive make this month is a notebook cover.  I have 2 swaps I'm making for and in the nerds craft it better swap my partner is a big English Literature fan.  So for the small gift, I thought a covered notebook would be a nice idea.  I enjoyed it so much I made a second in Christmas fabrics.

Both are made from scraps!  I took some scraps left over from my Bounce quilt (still love this and can't believe I gave it away! It went to G's aunt so it hasn't gone too far!  Pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company).         


Using left over border scraps I added a few strips to make up a front and back piece.  I used Fluffy Sheep Quilting's easy tutorial to make up the cover.


To make up the rest of the cover you just need some fabric for the flaps and a lining fabric.  I used Me and My sister prints and for some reason I like the geometric madness with the old fashioned flowers which won't be seen anyway when the notebook is put in.


It is great fun and a quick make so I decided to make a second with Christmas scraps!  These are scraps from the Night sky quilt above and I love these blue, not quite traditional Christmas colours.  The dark blue is Folk Art Holiday and the light blue I got free with Quilt Now magazine last year.


As these were scraps I squared them up to a common size after putting together as half square triangles.  3 1/2" worked but left me a bit short on the width.  You need about an inch wider that your notebook measured all the way around.

So I added a navy strip to both sides and then trimmed back to the correct width.  The second notebook had a spiral binding and if I was making again I'd add another little bit extra as it pulls a little when closed.


Using so much white in the top might not have been the best idea!  It will get dirty easy; I can see one navy thread from a seam peeking through and it meant I had to use white for the lining too!


Still, I really like the navy pockets and the strip on the end.  Next time, I'd add a loop to carry a pen. So that's some small makes ticked off the list!  I think I might have to make one of these for me too.  Does it count as Christmas sewing if you keep it for yourself?

Linking up to

Quilting is more fun than Housework
Celtic Thistle Stitches 

21 comments:

  1. these are a great idea for Christmas presents - I need to remember when December comes around! And I love the blue Christmas fabric - a great change from the usual red and green!

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  2. Nice notebooks Ruth, I need to check out that tutorial.
    Thanks for linking up to Ho, Ho Ho and on We Sew too, we will have you so organised by December you won't know what to do with yourself :)

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  3. the picture with your pup and quilt is awesome. Love that quilt's colors and gentleness and border. I follow your blog by email so I don't always comment but do enjoy you. LeeAnna at not afraid of color

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  4. Super cute! I have been wanting to make some notebook covers and yours turned out great.

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  5. Very nice and I admire that you are getting organized so early. :)

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  6. lovely! Thanks for linking up, good luck!

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  7. I love your notebook covers, definitely a really great way to use up scraps and leftovers.

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  8. Isn't it especially satisfying when you make something wonderful out of scraps Ruth? these notebooks are really cute! And it is a great idea to get a head start on Christmas gifts!
    I love your bounce Quilt and the name sure seems perfect with Charly nearby, LOL. I have a Miss Rosie book and need to pull it out again.

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  9. Lovely. I like the stripe one. Butdon't want talk about christmas!

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  10. This is a great idea Ruth - Thanks for sharing on Oh Scrap and reminding me to get an early start on gifts. These notebook covers are being added to my list!

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  11. I didn't know about all those tutorials...thaks for sharing! I so wish I could get a picture of Jackson like your did with your pup! I just love that picture!!!

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  12. Your notebook covers turned out great and I'm sure will be much used and appreciated. Our daughter and future son-in-law said they love using the ones I made them for Christmas last year.

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  13. I love and do make covered notebooks quite often . Nerds make it crafty sounds great fun , a swap I would enjoy , being one myself snd the Mother of several !

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  14. Neat! Your quilt looks so pretty BTW! :)

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  15. I love both of them! Totally counts for Christmas sewing because Christmas fabric was used :) It's just a little gift to yourself!

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  16. Great gift idea. Might have to give that a try. I suppose it makes sense to think about Christmas now rather than in November LOL

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  17. Your patchwork is lovely, and your JR adorable too:-)

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  18. Oh those are gorgeous notebook covers - particularly the one with the greys and pastels - I love scrappy, and yours are both amazing! I think it counts when it's for yourself ... you could always use it to keep Christmas lists/notes ;)

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  19. I always buy a few treats for myself in the Christmas shopping, so I think making things for yourself is perfectly acceptable. Go ahead! Love the quilt. I see why it is a favourite.

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  20. Oh ! I too made Bounce pattern, I LOVE your colour's choice !

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  21. Oh ! I too made Bounce pattern, I LOVE your colour's choice !

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