How It All Began
I started making handmade book covers because I love bullet journaling and wanted to make my A5 notebooks more beautiful and unique. I thought others might enjoy making their own notebooks beautiful too, so I began refining my designs to share them. Each cover tells a story—I carefully choose the fabric, trim, and ribbon to create a cohesive vibe that brings the cover to life.
From Idea to Materials
Everything begins with an idea. Once I know the concept I want to create, I head to my local craft store to select the materials. I try to gather everything at once and usually plan to make about three covers with the same story.
Back home, I take a small sample of each material and attach it to a page in my bullet journal. This keeps me organized and allows me to record important details, including material costs and ideas for the cover’s name.
Preparing the Fabric
Before sewing, I wash the fabric in a delicates bag to remove any manufacturing chemicals. I try to save energy by washing on a short cycle and drying it with other items. Once dry, I iron the fabric, cut out the pieces I need, and quilt it to batting. Then, the real assembly begins.
Sewing and Assembly
The trickiest part of the process is incorporating the trims, ribbon ties, and elastic pen holder. I carefully pin each piece into place, measuring as I go, before sewing everything together. Before turning the cover right side out, I surge all the edges to keep them neat.
My favorite moment is finally turning the cover right side out and seeing it all come together. I inspect the corners, iron it flat, and ensure everything lines up perfectly. I finish by sewing the opening closed by hand and slipping the cover onto an A5 notebook to check the fit. At this stage, I take a deep breath and admire the hard work—each cover is a small labor of love.
Bring a Handmade Cover Home
If you enjoyed reading about my process, you can explore the finished covers in my shop. Subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to hear about new releases, tips, and behind-the-scenes updates.