Book weight and fabric bookmark tutorial

GET READY FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL WITH THIS BOOK WEIGHT AND FABRIC BOOKMARK TUTORIAL

Summer is more than half way over and it’s time to start thinking about getting ready for back-to-school. Today I have a tutorial showing you how to make a book weight and fabric bookmark so your kids can read their books in style.  You can make yourself some too!  This is a very easy sewing project that you can get done in less than an hour.  You might also like my tutorial on how to make a velcro wallet. I’ve also worked with some other sewing bloggers that also have some back-to-school sewing projects for you.  You can find them at the end of the post.

Are you ready to make your own?  Let’s get started!  This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Quick links to information in this post

Material needed to make a book weight and fabric bookmark

Sewing Instructions for book weight

Step 1. Cut your fabric 

First, cut your fabric into a 5×9 inch rectangle. Then, cut you interfacing 8 5/8 x 4 5/8 inch.  You want the interfacing to be slightly smaller so it’s not too bulky in the seams.

Step 2. Pin your interfacing

Place your interfacing on the wrong side of your fabric and pin it in place.

Step 3. Fold in half

Fold the fabric and interfacing in half length wise and clip shut.  Then sew the short ends shut and turn each corner just a little bit as indicated in the photos below.

Step 4. Press with an iron

Use an iron to turn the edges of the opening before you turn right side out. Clip the corners and turn the rectangle right side out and use this Bodkin turning tool to make the corners nice and pointy. Use the iron to press the rectangle with the opening folded in. Then clip the opening shut.

Step 5. Sew sections into the book weight

I created three pockets in the book weight by sewing two lines down the width of the book weight.  This creates the pockets that will hold the weights. Also top stitch around the two short ends and the closed long side that are already sewn shut.

Step 6. Add weight

I made a book weight with rice and I made a book weight with BB gun pellets.  The one with rice worked on small books that didn’t have very many pages.  It wasn’t heavy enough for large books.  The book weight that had BB gun pellets worked great on small and large books.  So I would recommend using BB gun pellets.

You could also use plastic pellets like I used in my weighted blanket tutorial.  I think they would be heavier than rice and lighter than the BB gun pellets.

Fill each pocket with about 2 ounces of BB gun pellets, or 2 tsps.  Use a pin to hold the filler in place while you sew it shut.

Step 7. Sew shut

Sew the long edge shut by top stitching it.

Now go try it out while reading.  This really comes in handy when I’m reading and eating at the same time.  Then I can use both my hands for eating.

Sewing Instructions for fabric bookmark

Step 1. Cut your fabric into strips

I used some scraps cut into two and three inch strips. I used two coordinating fabrics but you could use more. Make sure your scraps are wider than 2.5 inches and that when you sew them all together it will be longer than 9 inches. I used 5 pieces for each of my strips.

Step 2. Organize your strips and sew together

Organize your cut strips in the order you would like.  Then sew them together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  When they are all sewn together, iron the seam allowances open.

Step 3. Cut to size

First, cut your assembled strips to be 2.5 x 9 inches.   Then cut some medium weight interfacing to be 2 x 8.5 inches. This will keep your fabric bookmark sturdy.

Step 4. Sandwich fabric together

Sandwich the interfacing in between the two fabric pieces.  The fabric pieces need to have the right sides facing out.

Step 5. Sew shut

Use clips to keep your layers together and sew all the way around a 1/4 inch from the edge.

Step 6. Trim edge

Trim around the edge with pinking sheers for a cute added effect.

Step 7. Add decorative stitches (optional)

Use the decorative stitches on your machine to add some style to the bookmark. I chose a kite tail stitch.

Didn’t they turn out so cute!  The book weight works really well and I love the colors of the fabric bookmark.

WANT TO REMEMBER THIS FOR LATER? PIN THIS BOOK WEIGHT AND FABRIC BOOKMARK TUTORIAL TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!  

Back-to-school sewing projects

I partnered with some other great bloggers and they also made some great back to school sewing tutorials.  Go check them out and start sewing up a storm of back to school projects.

DIY Pencil Case by AppleGreen Cottage

DIY Backpack coin pouch pattern by Sew Simple Home

DIY Tote bag by Vick Myers Creations

DIY Reusable Sandwich Bag Wrappers by Sister’s What

Drawstring Bag by Swoodson Says

Leather Laptop Sleeve by Life Sew Savory

Mouse Pad by Heather Handmade

Monster Earbud Pouch by Orange Bettie

Period bag for teen girls by Phat Quarters

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