Commonplace Book (or half-sheet binder) cover tutorial

I finally have it together--can you believe it?

The first time I ever heard the term "commonplace book" was in an issue of Victoria magazine. The children and I were studying the Stowe family, and reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin", so we used the occasion to start our own CPB's.

This time around, with a new set of learners, I am attempting to use half-sheet binders for everyone, since they are so much more convenient and portable for all of us. The children have chosen and bought their own cloth, etc., and I have sewn a cover for each of them (only some are pictured). We are filling them with all sorts of goodies--from scriptures to math charts to history lists to scribbly pictures (for the littles).

If you would like to know more of what a CPB is, here are some links:

Wikipedia

Notes about notes

Yale university

Corrie tenBoom had one, as did Milton, etc.

Here is the tutorial.

Things you will need:

• 1/2 sheet binder--I have purchased mine from Walmart for @$2.50 (*reinforce the binding of your notebook with tape before covering)
  
• Suitable thread, pins, etc.
• 3/4 yard cloth
• 1" wide "hook and loop" strip
• Felt to line outside cover
  
• Button or tassel for embellishment

From your cloth, cut pieces in these dimensions (please keep in mind these measurements are approximate--check and measure as you go for your situation):

A) 10 1/4 X 17 1/4"--outside cover
B) 10 1/4 X 19 1/2"--inside left
C) 10 1/2 X 5 1/2"--inside right
D) 8 1/8 X 7"--pouch flap
E) 10 1/4 X 2 1/2"--closure strap
F) 2--10 1/2 X 2"--handles
G) Felt for backing outside cover--10 1/4 X 17 1/4"



To assemble:

1. Sew G) to wrong side of A).
2. Fold flap D) in half, sew on shorter sides with 1/2" seam allowance. Trim and turn right-sides out. Top stitch 1/8" on finished sides.
3. Fold B) as shown and pin baste.
4. Baste flap D) as shown to top of folded B) as shown, 3/4" from bottom edge.
5. Cut 2, 1" pieces of hook and loop material. Using adhesive or pins, position underneath flap and on top of pouch on B) as shown. Zig-zag around edges to secure in place.
6. Sew a seam 2 1/4" from top edge to create pen-pocket.
7. Finish right edge of B) and left edge of C) with zig-zag stitch.
8. Fold E) in half, then in thirds. Sew along rough edge with zig-zag stitch.
9. Cut 2 inches of hook portion of hook-and-loop material. Sew to end of E) with zig-zag stitch.
10. Cut 1" of loop portion of hook-and-loop material. Position directly in the center of right edge of A) and 3/4" from dege. Zig-zag in place around edges.
11. Take pieces, F), fold each in thirds and zig-zag, covering where edges come together in middle of strap.
12. Position handles 3" from top of bottom edges of left and right edges of outside cover A). Baste in place at 1/2" seam allowance.
13. Place cover A) and inside left B) together, right sides facing each other. Making sure handles F) and flap D) are positioned correctly, stitch A) & B) together with a 1/2" seam allowance.
14. Place closure strap E) in exact center of left edge of A), rough edge to rough edge, so that it will cover loop piece of right edge of A) when book is closed. Baste 1/2" from edge.
15. Position handles 3" from from top and bottom edges of left side of A). Baste 1/2" from edge.
    
16. Sew C) to A), right sides together. Trim and turn assembly right-sides out.
    
17. Turn under rough edges between left and right inside cover, zig-zag over.
18. Sew button or other embellishment on outside of closure strap.
19. Slip on cover!