DIY.. Mini Book Tote and Journal Cover

Do you have a reader or budding author in your house? Or maybe you’re hoping to create a little book worm..  Well, I’m happy to share this fun mini book tote and journal cover today.

I learned how to make the journal cover from the blog Darling Adventures.  Ginny hosted a Sew A Long a few months ago and we made the journal cover. I made it for a friend, who requested I make one for her 8 year old niece, Grace.

I was originally only going to sew Grace the journal cover.  After completing it, I realized that most 8 years olds LOVE little bags, so I created this pint-sized version to hold the composition book.

These projects are great for beginner sewers.  They are easy and there are just a few steps within each. Why not involve your child and design/sew the projects together? You can call it project “book worm”.  The 2 of you can come up with a unique word, color scheme and choose the fabric together… For Grace’s journal, she wanted the color pink and “LOL”.  I thought it would be fun to make everything match, so the tote straps match the lining of the journal cover. Wouldn’t this be an entertaining project to take on!?

Here is what you need to get started:

Mini Book Tote Supplies:

1. Cotton canvas for exterior
2. Fabric for straps
3. Sewing supplies and sewing machine
4. Iron and ironing board
5. Word/ letters to trace
6. Freezer paper
7. Fabric ink, sponges
8. Paper scissors
9. Cardboard

So let’s get going..

Before we get sewing, you will need to cut your tote and strap:

1. Canvas fabric – Cut a rectangle measuring 25″L x x 13″W
2. Strap –  Cut a piece measuring 15″L x  3″W [ the length depends on the size of little person. However, when you cut this in half and it should make 2 straps ]

Steps to complete the tote:

1. Turn and fold each end of the cotton canvas – 1/2″.  Press with an iron. Turn and fold again – 1″. Press again
2. Place into sewing machine and edgstitch along the top and bottom. Repeat for the other end
3. Fold the rectangle in half. The folded top edge is on the outside. Pin. Place into your sewing machine and sew the side seams with a 1/4″ seam allowance
4. Follow my strap making tutorial here. Cut your strap piece in half.  Turn and fold each end 1/4″ and press. Pin down to the outside of the tote. Place into sewing machine and topstitch making a little square
5. Now add your “design”. For additional info on freezer printing, check out my tutorials here and here. Trace your design onto the freezer paper.  Cut out the design and iron onto the face of the tote
6. Place cardboard into your tote. This stops any ink from bleeding. Using a sponge,  gently brush the ink onto the design. Cover the entire area and work quickly
7. While the ink is still stlightly wet, pull off the freezer paper
8. Voila, that’s it!

So, don’t stop halfway.. Keep on it and make the journal cover as well..

Here is your supply list:

1. Fabric for cover, lining, flaps and applique – this is a great fat quarter project!
2. Pellon EZ Steam for applique
3. Sewing machine and supplies
4. Iron and ironing board
5. Word/ letters to trace
6. Composition book

Head on over to the Darling Adventures blog for the tutorial on how to sew your journal. Ginny created an amazing video tutorial and you can see it here.  The video is concise and professional. I wish I had the capabilites to make one of these!

A couple images of my finished journal..

Well, that’s it for today. Hope I’ve inspired you to make something? Happy Sewing.