DIY Scrappy Fabric Notepad Tutorial

Welcome to my first DIY tutorial!  Since this is my first tutorial please bear with me and feel free to post any suggestions or questions.  In this tutorial you will learn how to take a plain 5x8 inch notepad and make it beautiful with a small amount of fabric.  Just in time for teacher appreciation week this would make a perfect teacher's gift.  Pair it with a pretty pen or make a few out of different fabrics and give as a set. Hope you enjoy!

 

Supplies

1. 5x8 inch notepad-find at office supply stores such as staples or office max

2. Ruler (don't mind my daughter's scribbles on mine)

3. Mod Podge

4. Fabric scrap-at least 5.5"x 2"

5. Plain paper (or any other paper to cut from)

6. Scissors

7. Paint brush

1. Take your paper and measure out a rectangle 5 inches wide by 1.75 inches tall.

2. Cut out your rectangle, creating your pattern.

3. Take your pattern and place on the wrong side of your fabric. Next, use a pencil and trace around the pattern onto the fabric (pencil marks will not show since you are writing on the wrong side of the fabric).

4. Next, protect your work area with some extra paper or other material (you don't want Mod Podge on your nice things).  Then use your paint brush and apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the front of the notepad binding. If you get a little on the paper, just wipe it off with your finger.

Now apply Mod Podge to the top binding.

5. Take your fabric piece.  Match up the edges of the fabric with the edges of the front and top binding.  Smooth out any wrinkles while applying gentle pressure until it's lined up and even on all edges.

 (notepad back)

6. Now apply Mod Podge to the back binding, staying within the binding area.  Now smooth the rest of the fabric over the back.  Gently press into place and get rid of any wrinkles while lining up edges of fabric with the notepad edges.  If any extra Mod Podge pushes out the bottom (like mine did) just simply wipe away with your finger.

Trim off any excess fabric that may be hanging off the side edges to make it flush with the notepad.  Also cut off any little stray strings from the fabric.  Eventually after some use the edges of the fabric may fray a little, but it just adds to the character of it.  Now just let it dry and you're all done!  So simple and fun!

 Beautiful as a grouping!

Tie with a torn piece of fabric for a finishing touch and pair with a pretty pen.  I found mine in the dollar bin at Target.  Thanks for visiting my tutorial and hope you have fun making lots of pretty notepads!