Making Quick and Easy Fabric Bookmarks
Scraps of Fabric
I cannot be the only one who has a big ‘ol bucket of fabric scraps . . . or two. I diligently fill my bucket with every last fabric scrap, certain that I will turn them into something beautiful. I have a long list of scrap projects in mind. Yet, my bucket is full and not much is made. That is until I created these DIY Fabric Bookmarks! This project is perfect because it requires only 4″ × 4″ pieces of fabric, you can use all scraps. They make the perfect gift. The only extra materials you need are a little interfacing and thread. Did I mention they are super fast to make?
Making Fabric Bookmarks
CUT:
- (3) 4×4” squares of fabric. Your fabric can be all matching, different, or a mix. There is no right way to do it.
- (2) 4×4” squares of interfacing. Note: For interfacing, I prefer Pellon 911FF featherweight. It gives your bookmark a little flex, but enough stability to protect the pages of the books. I would not recommend getting anything lighter. If you want to use a stiffer interfacing it wouldn’t hurt the final product, it is just preference. You can always experiment with these if you have different types available at home.
i. Cut one square of interfacing in half diagonally to make a triangle. See photo below for reference. Note: You will only use one half of the triangle.
IRON:
After you have cut all your pieces, it is time to start ironing the interfacing to your fabric.
- Using the fabric that you want to hang over the pages of the book, Iron the half triangle interfacing onto the wrong side of the fabric.
- Then iron the square in half over the interfacing. This will create a triangle of fabric with interfacing in the center, with right sides having an open seam.
- Using the fabric square that you want to be the back of the bookmark, iron the full square of interfacing to the wrong side of that fabric square.
4. Layer your squares like the photo below, right sides together. The bottom layer is your NON-interfaced full square right side up. Your triangle is in the middle. Make sure the open corner with open seams is facing the top right. Last, place your interfaced square, right side down.
5. Pin your layers together and sew with a 1/8″ seam allowance around the entire edge leaving a 1.25-inch opening so you can turn it right side out later. (Make sure this opening is on one of the 2 sides with only 2 layers, opposite the triangle. It makes it easier to close the opening after turning the bookmark right-side-out).
6. Carefully trim the corners, and turn right side out.
7. Top stitch around the entire edge at 1/8″ seam allowance to close the opening.
8. That’s it! You’re done! You have a quick, fun, useful project to use up all those little bits of fabric.
FINISHED BOOKMARK
Enjoy your new fabric bookmark. Thank you, Mara, for this fun and fast tutorial. I am looking through my scraps now so I can make one. Be sure to check out my other free tutorials, like THIS POST on Quilt Care Cards, or THIS BLOG POST on turning quilts to wall hangings.
Leave a comment sharing what you liked most about this tutorial, and what fabrics you want to use to make your DIY Fabric Bookmark!
I love making useful things from scraps. As a sew it’s, machine embroiderer & quilter, I like to add cutaway stabilizer for added stiffness (fusible is a plus), a little embroidered motif (or initial) as well as a ribbon or narrow length of bias tape 6-12” long – attached to the left corner. This anchors the bookmark inside the spine of the book, so it won’t get lost while the bookmark dangles – just waiting to be placed back onto a corner.
What a great way to use left over fabric pieces.
I absolutely love this little project. I’ve given many along with my Christmas cards this year & plan to continue making them. The best part is I’ve cleaned out a lot of my quilt & then mask fabrics. So my family/friends now have book markers to go along with the same fabric I used for their masks. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing that detail. It was fascinating and insightful. Continue to share useful resources over these blogs…
I have outdoor patio fabric scraps. It’s thicker. Do you think I can use this fabric for this project without the interfacing?
I would say so. Give it a try. Make up one without the interfacing, and just see. Outdoor fabric is stiff enough I would think it would be fine.
These are fun to make from upholstery sample books. Many fabric stores sell these cheaply or even give them to store employees. #connectionshelp
Great! love it saved it for gifts
These are adorable! Do you think these could be hand sewn? Or is it too thick? Thanks
That would look SO great. Yes, I totally think that would work. Just be sure to use a thimble. 😉
Made several of these now. Absolutely lovely.
Oh yay! Love this – so glad you enjoy this tutorial.
Thank you for the Christmas gift idea 🎁🎄
Could you possibly use felt as interfacing?
It might be too thick, but perhaps use it for just the back layer. Certainly you can give it a try.
Perfectly simple tutorial, done in five minutes! Love these!
Thanks for sharing this, I think I’ll keep some of these handy to include with every book I give as a gift! ❤️
Why can’t I print the pattern?
There is no pattern. its just a 4×4 square
Love 💕 this idea for birthdays at work.
This is a great share! I love being able to give away little gifts like these all year round! Bravo!
Thanks for sharing! These are adorable and I will definitely be making several to give as gifts!
Great idea – I think I’ll make them for my book club ladies!
I love this and am going to try and make a couple tonight for birthdays.
Can’t wait to make one!!!! Thanks for sharing,