Make a fabric cover for your ring binder – free tutorial

the unlined version,

the lined version

how to make a fabric label

One – the unlined version

Cutting the fabric

Lay your binder open and flat.

Measure the height and add 2”/5cm for the top and 2”/5cm for the bottom turnings.

Measure the width and add 5½”/14cm for the front and 5½”/14cm for the back flaps.

I rounded this up for my A5 (9” x 7½”) binder and cut my fabric 13”/33cm high and 28”/71cm wide.

Neatening edges

Measure and turn under ½”/1cm across the top and bottom, stitch. Backstitch at both ends.

Measure and turn under ½”/1cm down both sides, stitch. Backstitch at both ends. Press.

Making Flaps

Turn the sides in 5½”/14cm, right sides together. Press and pin in place.

Stitch right across 1½”/3.5cm up from the bottom. Backstitch at both ends.

Turn right side out and fit binder. Mark the stitching line across the top with chalk/water soluble pen.

Turn wrong side out again and stitch along marked line. Backstitch at both ends. Remove pen marks before pressing!

Turn right side out, with top and bottom turned in on line of stitching. Press

Fitting Binder

Bend the binder back away from the rings, and slide cover on. It can either fit just under the flaps so you can use them to hold papers or fit under the top and bottom turnings too, whichever you prefer.

Two –the lined version

Measure and cut the fabric and the lining as for Version One

Lining the fabric

Pin cover and lining together, matching raw edges. Stitch a ¼”/5mm seam around all 4 sides, leaving a 4”/10cm gap in the bottom for turning. Backstitch at beginning and end of stitching.

Trim corners and seams, turn right side out and press.

Making Flaps

Lay the lined fabric right side up and lay the binder on it, measuring to make sure it is central.

Turn the sides in 5½”/14cm, pin and mark the sewing line along the edge of the binder. Remove binder. Stitch across the top of the flap, backstitching at the start and finish. Repeat for flap on other side.

Replace binder, pin and mark the sewing line along the bottom edge.

Remove binder and stitch across the bottom of the flap, backstitching at the start and finish. Repeat for other flap. Remove all marks.

Turn cover right side out, top and bottom flaps turn up as shown. Press.

Fit binder inside cover, either just under the flaps or under the top and bottom turnings too.

Three - Making and adding a fabric label

You can use one of the following methods to make your label;-

a) Use your Embroidery Machine (if you have one)

b) Print your label on printable fabric, following the product instructions. You can buy it in the U.K. from http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk and Amazon.com in the States.

c) Hand-embroider your label. Trace the words with a water soluble pen, fit the fabric in a hoop and embroider it with floss, then spray it with water to remove the pen marks.

Once you have your label, attach it using Vilene Bondaweb/Wonder Under, then zigzag round the edges with your sewing machine to finish it off.