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60 minutes
So-so

Binder Cover

  • Completed Project: Binder Cover Picture #1
  • Completed Project: Binder Cover Picture #2
  • Completed Project: Binder Cover Picture #3

Binder Cover Tutorial
 <  Image 1 of 3  > 

Seam allowances are 1/2" unless otherwise noted.
Measurements of your binder may vary.....adjust measurements of pattern accordingly!

The binder I used was a 1 inch Economy Binder
that measured 11.5 inches tall x 22.5 inches (open )

Interface every piece, except lining and accent pieces, with a Fusible Craft Interfacing.
Mark the pieces, with thier name, as you cut them. I use masking tape on the wrong side of the fabric. This helps to make it less confusing.

You need 4 different fabrics
Fabric 1 (berry looking)-main fabric for body of cover

Fabric 2(flowers)-contrast piece used for pencil pocket, and on outside

Fabric 3(dark brown)- accent used in small quantity

Random lining fabric

Cut everything out and fuse interfacing before you start.

Fabric 1 - Outside of Cover cut 1 @ 13 x 24, Inside Flaps cut 2 @ 10 x 13, Right Flap pocket cut 1 @ 5 x 13, inside of Snap Flap cut 1 @ 5 x 5.

Fabric 2- Pencil Pocket cut 1 @ 5x10, Contrast on Right Flap pocket cut 1 @ 3 x 13, Outside of Snap Flap cut 1 @ 5 x 5, Contrast on Outside cover cut 1 @ 10 x 15.

Fabric 3- accent for Right Flap pocket cut 1 @ 2 x 13, Pencil pocket accent 1 @ 2 x 10, accent for Snap Flap 1 @ 2 x 5, Accent for contrast on outside cover 2 @ 2.5 x 15 and 2 @ 2 x 13.

Random Lining fabric- Inside flaps lining cut 2 @ 10 x 13, Right flap lining cut 1@ 7 x 13, pencil pocket lining cut 1 @ 5 x 10, inside center facing cut 2 @ 2 x 8.

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  1. Step 1

    Step 1

    layer Pencil pocket piece, Pencil pocket accent, and Pencil pocket lining with right sides together. Stitch edge with accent.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2

    Open, fold lining under, and press seam flat. Fold accent piece under 1/2" and press. Lay it on pocket front and top stitch down.


  3. Step 3

    Step 3

    Place pencil pocket on the bottom of one of the inside flap pieces and pin in place. Measure over 1.5" and draw a line (I just used pencil). From that line measure over 1 and 1/4" and mark a line. Repeat 2 more times.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4

    Stitch down lines to form 4 pencil slots. The rest of the pocket can be left for a calculator, or whatever!


  5. Step 5

    Step 5

    Layer inside flap lining with Pencil Pocket flap piece- right sides together. Stitch down the right side. Open, fold under, and press. Edge stitch sewn edge down.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6

    Now we're going to work on the right flap pocket. Stitch flap pocket pieces (of fab 1 and fab 2) along long edge, at 1/2". Open and press flat.

  7. Step 7

    Step 7

    Take Right flap accent piece and place it along contrast on right flap edge. Sandwich it with the lining RST. Stitch along this edge. Open seam, fold it under, and press.

  8. Step 8

    Step 8

    Press raw edge of accent piece under 1/2". Fold it onto pocket and top stitch it down. You can also add stitching along center-ish seam. Pin into place along edge of Inside Flap piece.

  9. Step 9

    Step 9

    Sandwich this piece with inside flap lining. Stitch edge opposite pocket at 1/2". Open, fold under, and press.

  10. Step 10

    Step 10

    top stitch down this edge.

  11. Step 11

    Step 11

    Now both of the inside flaps are completed!!! Now it is on to the Outside contrast piece. Pin the longer accent pieces along long edges of contrast piece. Stitch, then press open. Top stitch along seamed edge.

  12. Step 12

    Step 12

    Pin short contrast pieces along short edges. Stitch, open, and press. Top stitch along these seams also. Fold raw edges, of short sides, under 1/2 " and press. Center completed contrast piece onto outside piece and pin in place. Top stitch folded accent pieces onto the Outside cover piece.

  13. Step 13

    Step 13

    The Snap Flap. Measure down 1" from edge of Inside Snap Flap piece. Center Magnetic snap washer, and mark with pencil. Cut slits on pencil marks.

  14. Step 14

    Step 14

    Stick top of Snap through front of fabric.

  15. Step 15

    Step 15

    On back of snap I like to put a piece of thick interfacing (cut slits, and poke it through). Place washer on prongs.

  16. Step 16

    Step 16

    Fold prongs over to secure snap.

  17. Step 17

    Not pictured. Place accent piece along top of Outside Snap Flap. Stitch along top edge at 1/2". Press accent piece (raw edge) under 1/2" and top stitch it down . Now put inside and outside right sides together. Stitch around edges , leaving a 3 " opening at bottom.

  18. Step 18

    Step 18

    Clip all 4 corners (not just the top two like I did here). Turn right side out. Press opening to the inside.

  19. Step 19

    Step 19

    Center Snap flap onto one of the short ends of Outside Cover. Place it about 1 and 1/2 inches from raw edge. Stitch along edge .

  20. Step 20

    Step 20

    Flip snap flap back, and pin it out of the way!

  21. Step 21

    Step 21

    The ultimate sandwich....the end is near!!! Lay the Outside cover face up. Place Flap pocket piece (face down with raw edge on outside edge) on the end with the snap flap. Place pencil pocket flap ( face down with raw edge on outside edge). Pin in place. Take inside center facings and pin along center top and bottom. Stitch around entire sandwich at a scant 1/2".

  22. Step 22

    Step 22

    Turn it right side out and press all seams!!! Now you have to figure out where to put the other piece of your snap. Fold cover in half, matching short ends. Fold snap flap over and mark where the center of snap hits opposite side of cover. Put washer over mark, mark and cut the slits (only through the outside layer of fabric...not through inside flap). Poke posts of bottom of snap through the holes, place washer on the back and fold posts over.

    You're DONE!!!! Stuff your binder into the cover. The fit is usually a little tight, but stuff it in anyway!!!

  23. Step 23

    Step 23

    Now fill your binder full of goodies and enjoy!

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Tofu Kitty

Tofu Kitty

17 Mar 15:31

I love your sewing machine!!! :D The binder looks great!

SuperCool and Really Trendy

SuperCool and Really Trendy

17 Mar 22:27

I 2 love your sewing machine!Ace binder 2!

KMOM14

KMOM14

18 Mar 02:33

It looks great! What a wonderful way to personalize and jazz up a boring old binder.

Lola...again!!! Posted By:
Lola...again!!! »
March 17, 2009 14:33
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