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Refillable Notepad cover

Materials List:
  • 1-2    8 ½" X 11 " medium to heavy weight cardboard legal pad backing

  • 1     Spiral bound notebook or tear off notepad (4"x 6" was used for examples)

  • 1     6" x 3" Strip of medium to heavyweight woven cotton, canvas or horsehair canvas

  • 2     6 " x 3" Ultrasuede, suede or leather

  • 1     Large heavy brown paper bag

  • Elmer's or Sobo Glue

  • E 6000 glue or comparable brand
Begin by cutting out the components of the notepad (pattern right). Allow at least 1/4" spacing on the left, right and bottom sections. Choose the style of polymer clay that you prefer. Apply your design to the front cover at least 3/4" away from the top edge. Extend clay 1/4" past the remaining edges and fold under to the backside of cardboard.

Following manufacturer's directions, bake. Finish your cover by sanding and/or by applying either Future or Flecto Varathane.

To Assemble:

Using pattern, cut 2 liners (1 front -- 1 back) and 1 for the slide pocket out of the paper bag (you may want to cover the back of the back section in the same manner...this is entirely up to you) . You will not need to cover the top binder. Ball and crush the paper bag liners several times until you achieve a distressed leather look. Smooth out and apply with all-purpose glue to the front, back and slide pocket sections previously cut out. When gluing the paper bag liner to the front cover, be sure to place the glue just inside the edge of the clay. Allow the sections to dry, and trim just inside the inner edge of front cover with an Exacto or craft knife.


Lay out the sections as shown (pattern left), leaving 1/8" spaces between the top binder and the front and back sections. This space will allow the cover to open and close freely. Cut a strip of medium-to-heavy weight cotton large enough to cover the top binder and to overlap at least 1/2" onto the front and back covers. Glue into place and allow a few minutes to dry. Test the flexibility of the join by opening and closing a few times. Allow assembled cover to dry while closed.

Finish by applying Ultrasuede, suede or leather, 2 ¼" by the top width of your finished cover. Using E 6000, glue to the top uncovered front, top binder, and back sections. Apply a second strip to the inside cover along the top section (picture right). Glue the slide pocket in place on the back. You will also need to test for flexibility by opening and closing a few times and then allowing it to dry closed.

For both spiral and regular bound notepads, you will need to trim the back and front covers as bit so that they will slide into the pocket easily.

This project can be adapted for use in making similar items - coupon organizers, address books, checkbook covers, diaries and more. I hope you will find this project a useful one.

Crafty Michele
CraftyM@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/1644/
©1999 Text and Illustrations - Crafty Michele

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