DIY Notebook Cover With Elastic Closure

Turn a boring notebook into a pretty custom journal. This DIY notebook cover has a soft felt texture and practical elastic closure.

I originally made this craft as part of a handmade Chrismas gift series way back in October 2013; I completely redid the craft in 2026.

This notebook cover makes a simple but elegant handmade gift. You can dress it up with embroidery or other personalization, but it looks nice without any extras too.

Find good quality felt. It doesn’t have to be expensive (and you don’t need a lot of it) but it should be thick enough that you can’t see through it.

I made mine using a sewing machine. This is the fastest option if you have one. But you could hand-sew the edges. The first time I made this, I used embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.

You can use this idea to dress up an old notebook of your own or as a handmade gift. Use it as a journal or planner. Pair it with a nice set of pens as a gift.

How to make a notebook cover

Supplies

• notebook ~ Any size. Mine is a 5×7-inch journal.
• 2 pieces of thick felt, any color
• 0.25-inch elastic
• scissors
• ruler or fabric tape measure
• sewing supplies ~ Machine or hand sewing.

Instructions

1. Measure and cut the felt.

Start by laying out one sheet of felt and putting the notebook on top of it. Measure around the notebook and cut the felt so that there is about a quarter-inch margin all the way around.

For the second sheet of felt, cut it to be the same height as the first one and about 3 inches wide. Cut a second piece the same size. These will be the front and back flaps of the book cover.

2. Measure and cut the elastic.

For the elastic closure, cut a piece of elastic that is about an inch longer than the height of the felt when pressed flat against it.

3. Line up the pieces.

To assemble the book cover, line up the smaller inside piece with the outside. Line the elastic up on what will be the back cover, about an inch from the edge. Tuck the ends of the elastic between the felt pieces.

4. Stitch everything together.

Start on the non-elastic end and stitch across the top of the front flap and continue across, starting the back flap. When you get to where the elastic is, untuck the lower end and stitch the elastic to the top.

Turn the corner and keep stitching down the side. Turn the corner and make a few stitches across the bottom. Tuck the elastic in so that its flat against the felt. Bend the already-stitched side so that you can stitch this side’s elastic down.

Continue stitching past the end of the back flap. You’ll need to pause here, lift the machine’s foot, and cut the thread so that the elastic can slide through before finishing the border.

5. Trim the threads.

When you’ve stitched all the way around back to where you started, cut the thread and remove the book cover. Trim any loose ends. Now is the time to add any other embellishments if you’re planning to.

6. Assemble the cover.

Finally, slip the paper notebook cover inside each flap of the felt book cover.

To use the elastic closure, just pull it around the outside of the notebook. When the notebook is open, it will sit flat against the back cover.

All together, this felt notebook cover didn’t take more than half an hour to make. If you have an old notebook, you can easily dress it up with this. Why not give your whole office a quick makeover with matching covers? Or make a set of journals as a gift for a friend!

What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• Dress Up a Plain Pillowcase
• No Sew Dice Bag Pattern
• DIY Kraft Paper Tags for Christmas