Handmade Fabric Bookmarks

Our house loves to read. It is very rare that I don’t have my head in a book, and often have more than one on the go. And now it is back to school season these are a great idea for keeping your place in your various school books. A great scrap busting pattern, I make these from the remnants of dresses I have made over summer. These are our handmade fabric bookmarks.

Handmade Fabric Bookmarks

You will need

• some fabric – my pieces measured approx 40cm by 10cm – but you may need longer for thicker or larger books
• a piece of thin round elastic about 10-12cm long – but I used hair elastics as these come in so many lovely colours
• a button – or two – mine are about 2.5cm diameter.
• some scissors
• a sewing machine is preferable.
• an iron

Starting with the piece of fabric, fold it in half and press. Sew a scant seam about 4-5mm from the edge – I use the edge of the presser foot as a guide.

Turn the tube created inside out (I love my rouleau turner) and then press this tube flat. I actually like to press the seam to the middle of the back.

Tuck the ends of the tube in – and press flat so that a clean end is created.

At one end tuck in the ends of the elastic – you may want to knot it if it is not already joined. Then sew along the open edge, sealing the tube shut and sewing the elastics securely into this edge. You may need to backstitch. Again I use the presser foot as a guide.

At the other end just sew a plain seam using the presser foot as a guide again to close the edge.

Sew a button onto the opposite end to the elastic.

And you have an elasticated handmade fabric bookmark!

Because they are easily personalised they also make brilliant teacher presents for the end of term or Christmas.

See some other great back to school ideas such as earbud holders or scrunchies in this post about fabric scrap busting!

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