Saffrons Blog

To start your new project you will need cool fabric that you want to look at, touch and makes your life a whole lot happier. I chose my Dandelion circles on white. You can too if you fancy! Apparently it might have been smarter to cover the black folder in paper first to hide the black. However I didn't and I can't see the black. So up to you.

The equipment you will need

1. a folder or ring binder
2. glue that sticks fabric to plastic—the clear glue is the one I like, they call it craft glue
3. scissors or rotary cutter
4. ruler
5. cutting mat
6. Oh, and 2 x 40cm of fabric to cover inside and out

Step 1 - cutting:
Lay the folder on top of the wrong side of the fabric, the right side is the side with the print on it. Cut out the fabric with a good 5cm (2 inch) around the folder, which you will use to glue to the inside of your folder. Cut a another piece of fabric the same size as the folder and trim off 3mm all around. Then cut this piece in half so you can cover the insides of your folder. Leave out the inside spine so you can open and close the folder easily.

Step 2:
Glue the outside fabric over the edge of the folder's top and then the fabric at the bottom to the inside of the folder, make sure the pattern is facing out.

Step 3:
Now fold in the sides and glue to the folder. Some might worry about corners, you can do a mitered corner but you will cover all your work in the next step when you cover it with fabric on the inside. But first close the folder to make sure the fabric's not too tight. If it is, loosen it and reglue.

Step 4:
On the inside of the cover glue in the two pieces of fabric a couple of mm from the edges of your folder.

Step 5:
Once the glue is dry trim any wayward threads.

Step 6: Fill your funky folder, yes your very own creation with your stuff.

Yes you can go crazy and cover your tissue box, your diary—or are they called journals when you are over being a teenager? :) With school holidays around the corner you could make it a family affair.