How to Make a Fabric Binder Cover

It is not that long until it is back to school time. With that in Mind, I wanted to make a fabric binder cover to really spruce up this school year.  I found this one at Sewspire but changed it up a bit.  This is a super simple sewing project for the beginner sewist.  It took a bit of trial and error but it finally came together the way I wanted it.  The best part about this project is you can use any fabrics you like to make it truly yours.  No more settling for black, blue, green and red.  Plus, this fabric binder cover has a zipper pocket for your pens and pencils and other small things you need for school or for simple organization.  

I used home decorator fabric for the main part of my binder cover and plain cotton for the rest of the pieces.  I purchased my fabrics at Joann’s but you could head to Fabric.com or online fabricator.net to get exactly what you need for your fabric binder cover.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  

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What you will Need: How to Make a Fabric Binder Cover

• 1/4 yd home decorator fabric for main part of cover
• 1/4 yd fusible fleece like Pellon 987F
• 1 16″ zipper
• 1/4 yd cotton fabric for zipper pocket
• 1/4 yd cotton fabric for flaps

Step 1: Cut the Fabrics

Cutting the main fabric piece depends on the size of the binder that you are choosing.  The remaining fabric pieces are the same size no matter the size of the binder.  

• 1″ Binder   23″ x 13″ main fabric and Fusible fleece — cut 2 fabric pieces and 1 fleece piece
• 1 1/2″ Binder 25″ x 13 ” main fabric and Fusible fleece– cut 2 fabric pieces and 1 fleece piece
• 2″ Binder 26 1/2″ x 13″ main fabric and Fusible fleece– cut 2 fabric pieces and 1 fleece piece
• 3″ Binder 28″ x 13″ main fabric and Fusible fleece– cut 2 fabric pieces and 1 fleece piece
• 2 Pieces that measure 12″ x 13″ for the flaps
• 1 piece that measures 20″ x 13″ for the main part of the zipper pocket
• 1 piece that measures 6″ x 13″ for the opposite side the zipper pocket

Step 2: Fuse the Fleece

Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the main fabric piece following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Step 3: Add the Pocket Pieces to the Zipper

Take the 20″ x 13″ cotton piece and fold in the ends by 1/2″ and press.  Fold the entire piece in half and press.  Sandwich one side of the zipper between the folded ends of the fabric and stitch the zipper to the fabric.  Take the 6″ x 13″ piece and fold under the raw edges by 1/2″.  Sandwich it with the other side of the zipper and stitch the zipper in place. 

Step 4: Add the Pocket to the Main Fabric Piece

Line up the short side of the zipper pocket piece with the right side raw edge of the main fabric piece and clip.  Stitch the folded bottom edge of the pocket to the main fabric piece to create the pocket. Keep the right side of the pocket piece clipped.

Step 5: Add the Flaps

Take the two flap pieces and fold them in half and press.  Place the raw edges of one of the flap pieces on top of the zipper pocket and clip with the clips that you previously used so that all layers are clipped together.  Clip the other flap piece in the same way to the other end of the main fabric piece.   

Step 6: Add the Second Main Fabric Piece

Place the final main fabric piece on top of the layers of fabric right sides together and clip all the layers together.  Stitch all the way around the piece using a 5/8″ seam allowance leaving an opening on the left side of the fabric binder cover.  Trim the seams down to about a 1/4″to remove the bulk.  Be sure not to cut through the stitching.  Turn the entire piece right sides out.  Press.

 

Step 7: Finish the Fabric Binder Cover

Stitch the opening closed using a 5/8″ seam allowance.  Trim the seam and turn the flap to the wrong side.  You have now finished your fabric binder cover.  Add it to your binder and go to school or organize your stuff.

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