Make Your Own Sketchbook

By Robyn S. Officer

You will need: three 9″ x 12″ (23 cm x 30.5 cm) pieces of felt or colored Pellon or heavy fabric, pencil, scissors, ruler, needle and thread or sewing machine, glue, 5″ x 7″ (13 cm x 18 cm) pad of paper, Velcro or button, lightweight cardboard, and miscellaneous items to decorate cover.

1. Overlap two felt squares 1″ (2.5 cm) on short sides. Pin and stitch along both edges of overlapped squares (Fig. 1).

2. Cut pocket from remaining felt and sew on outer half of one side of book (Fig. 2). On opposite side cut 5″ (13 cm) slit to hold cardboard back of paper pad.

3. Turn book cover over. Fold both outer halves to center stitched lines. Sew close to edges on top and bottom (Fig. 3).

4. Cut two pieces of cardboard about 5 1/4″ x 8 3/4″ (13 cm x 22 cm). Insert cardboard into center openings of both sides of book. Cut thin strip of felt and make loop to hold pencil. Tuck loop under one side of center openings and stitch both edges of center openings (Fig 4).

5. Sew two 3″ x 1″ (8 cm x 2.5 cm) pieces of felt together, then sew to one side of book to make closure. Attach Velcro or sew on button and cut buttonhole in strip (Fig. 5).

6. Cut out and glue felt scraps, ribbon, lace, buttons, or other materials to decorate cover of sketchbook (Fig. 6).