Summer Strawberry Journal Cover - Free Sewing Pattern

A simple sketchbook becomes a charming journal when you add this summer strawberry fabric journal cover to it. Use my free pattern to sew a fabric journal cover with an adorable strawberry applique. It’s a beginner friendly project that makes a perfect gift or creative keepsake!

I always know summer is on its way when I see the strawberry stands on the side of the road. I absolutely love strawberries in the summer! Strawberry shortcake, strawberries in a bowl sprinkled with a bit of sugar, strawberries in my green salads. Strawberries all the ways!

And if summer is strawberry season, then how better to take notes or practice your sketches than in a sketchbook journal with a big red strawberry appliqued on front? I’ve got a free pattern for you below.

The fabric cover is lightly padded with fusible fleece so it’s soft to hold. I used a blue gingham because the color just popped with that big red strawberry. And gingham just feels like a summertime picnic to me.

The cover also features a clear vinyl label pocket so you can personalize your journal. Is it a sketchbook? A journal? A planner? You get to say. Just write it on the label and slide it in the pocket. And if you change your mind later, you can just change out the label.

The cover sized to fit a 5 ½” x 8” Artist Loft sketchbook from Michaels.

I’ve loved these sketchbooks and have used them for various projects and purposes over the years. They’re inexpensive but have a nice quality heavy paper inside suitable for sketching or painting, but also nice for journaling. And the size is perfect for tossing in a purse or backpack!

This is a quick little project you can sew up in an afternoon. Make one for yourself or as a special handmade gift for a friend.

Supplies

Front/Lining – 2 pieces 12 ½” wide x 9” tall from quilting cotton (1 piece will the Front, and 1 piece will the lining.)

Interfacing – 1 piece 12” wide x 8 1/2” tall from fusible fleece

Sleeves – 2 pieces 10” wide x 9” tall from quilting cotton

Applique

Strawberry – scrap red quilting cotton

Leaf Cap – scrap green quilting cotton

Background – large scrap quilting cotton, at least 3 ¾” wide x 5 ½” tall

Label Pocket – 1 piece clear vinyl, 3 ¾” wide x 1 ½” tall

Fusible webbing – scraps

5 ½” x 8” Artist Loft Fundamentals Sketchbook from Michaels

Free Pattern – Strawberry Journal Cover

RST = Right Sides Together

Prep

Follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse the fleece to the back of the Front.

Trace the Strawberry and Leaf Cap applique pattern pieces to the back (paper side) of your fusible webbing. The pattern pieces are already reversed and ready to be traced.

Then follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse the webbing to the back of your fabrics. Use a scrap of red fabric for the Strawberry, and a scrap of green for the Leaf Cap. Cut the pieces out of the fabric.

Finally, for the Applique Background cut a piece that’s 3 ¾” wide x 5 ½” tall from quilting cotton backed with fusible webbing.

The easiest way to do this is to cut a piece of fusible webbing that’s slightly larger than 3 ¾” wide x 5 ½” tall and fuse it the back of the Applique Background fabric. Then, trim that piece down to be 3 ¾” wide x 5 ½” tall.

Starting with a slightly larger piece of fusible webbing and then trimming it down ensures that the fusible webbing goes all the way to the edges of your Applique Background and gets a nice clean cut edge.

Sew the Applique Design

Place the Applique Background on the Front piece, 1 1/8” from the top and 1 1/8” from the right edge of the Front. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse in place.

Place the Strawberry and Leaf Cap pieces on the Applique Background, centered and top of the Leaf Cap approximately ¼” from the top of the Applique Background piece.

Fuse in place and then top stitch around both pieces to secure.

Now place the Label Pocket (clear vinyl) piece across the bottom of the Applique Background. Use some masking tape to hold it in place. (Don’t use pins as they will puncture the vinyl.)

Top stitch around the Applique Background to secure both the Applique Background piece and the Label Pocket.

Assemble the Journal Cover

Fold the Sleeve pieces in half the short way, wrong sides together. When folded they will measure 9” tall x 5” wide. Press.

Place the Sleeve pieces on along the sides of the Lining piece, right sides up. Baste in place around top and sides with a 1/8” seam allowance.

Place Front and Lining pieces RST. Sew around all four sides with a ¼” seam allowance, leaving 2 ½” open to turn.

Sometimes the finished edge is a little wonky at a turning hole, so I make sure I leave the hole on a portion that will become the back of the journal cover.

Clip corners, then turn right side out.

Press, being careful to avoid ironing on or very near the vinyl label pocket. I use a lower iron setting for this step just to be careful. The heat from the iron may cause that vinyl to warp.

Press the edges of the turning hole to the inside so it’s even with the finished edge. Hand sew the hole closed with a ladder stitch.

I like to use a use a bit of Steam a Seam or hem tape to close the hole before hand sewing. It makes it easier to sew with those edges fused together, while also strengthening that seam.

Slide the front and back covers of your journal into the pockets. Your journal cover is finished!