I’ve kept a journal, or some type of notebook, on and off since I was fifteen years old. My current journal is full of messages, reminders, sketches, and sweet notes and drawings I’ve collected from Maggie over the past few weeks—which, since Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, includes a lot of heart-shaped and heart-adorned things.

I first started making these covers for well-worn (and well-loved) books. Soon, most of my binders, notebooks, and journals had covers, as well. Each time I retire a journal to my shelves, I slip a new one into my hand-sewn cover.

For Valentine’s Day, we made this journal cover (based on a pattern from Alabama Stitch Book) featuring our Hearts stencil in reverse appliqué. It has been a favorite project at our One-Day Workshops, as it is fairly quick and easy to complete. So, if you want to make something that doesn’t require a long-term commitment, this is a great project to choose. Perhaps crafting a beautiful journal cover will inspire you to write, draw, organize, fulfill some New Year’s resolution you’ve been putting off—or, like me these days, just keep track of all your upcoming projects.

OUR DESIGN CHOICES

Fabric weight – 100% organic medium-weight cotton jersey
Fabric color top-layer – Ruby
Fabric color bottom-layer – Ruby
Stencil – Hearts
Textile paint – Pearl Red
Technique – Reverse appliqué
Button Craft thread – Red
Knots – Inside