I’m so excited to introduce you to the Crafted Life Companion, a sewing pattern to make notebook cover for your journal, diary or project planner. It’s a beautiful design packed with storage and loads of options for customising this to your personal preference.

It’s perfect for sewists who love to stay organized, jot down thoughts, or plan projects in a thoughtful, creative way. But this pattern is more than just a notebook cover—it's a tool for mindful, intentional living. I've written this as a thoughtful pattern encouraging you to slow down, enjoy the process, and create something personal as part of the experience.

This design has been a twinkle in my eye for several years now - and it was finally the right time to bring it to life! I adore stationery and have ever since I was a little girl. That fresh box of coloured pencils, that new notebook just waiting to hold the best of what my imagination had to offer - all those delicious feeling of possiblity! And when I started to design patterns I realised that the stationery effect could be recreated in fabric. Yes please!!

This is the perfect blend of paper stationery and fabric fun - a stylish, unique look, texture and padding, pattern and colour, all wrapped up in cover that you create yourself.

The pattern itself is packed with details and great step-by-step instructions and I have a complete tutorial video to take you through it as well that you can watch here:

So I’ve put all your most asked questions into this post—a space where I’ll be sharing helpful tips because I want you to feel as confident as you can while sewing this.

So grab your notebook, your fabric, your pattern, and let’s dive in!

Printing Your File Correctly

This is a project where the final size really matters because the pattern is designed to fit an A5 (6” x 8.5”) notebook. If the template pieces are the wrong size, it's likely not going to fit! There is some tolerance built into the pattern, but things can get out of hand really fast if you’re not paying attention.
Sewing success starts by making sure you’re printing at the correct size.

How to print at 100% or Actual Size:

When you’re printing your PDF pattern, make sure your printer settings are set to 100% or "Actual Size." Do **not** scale the pattern. Some printers and devices default to scaling the files to fit the page, which will lead to your pieces being the wrong size.
Often a phone or tablet will scale by default and you can't turn this off, so be aware of this and send your file to a computer or laptop if it's not printing correctly.

CHECK:

The test square included on the first template page—measure it carefully to ensure it’s exactly the right size before cutting out your fabric. When it’s exactly 1 inch square, you should NOT be able to see any of the sides of the square under the lines on the ruler - they will be hidden underneath.

TOP TIP:

To avoid wasting paper, just print the page with the scale square on to begin with until you’re sure the size is correct.

Sewing with the Right Tools

The Crafted Life Companion pattern involves working with layers of fabric and interfacing. These three basic tools are important for hassle free sewing:

A decent sewing machine:

An entry level sewing machine often doesn't have the ability to cope with sewing several layers because a very basic model just doesn’t have the torque (turning power) to punch through layers and do a good job. It's often enough to make you throw in the towel and giveup because you think it's your lack of ability. But sometimes the culprit can be a $99 machine you often see on sale at Spotlight or other big box habby stores.

The good news is you don't need a super expensive machine either. Try asking to borrow one from a friend or find a second hand model on Gum Tree - there are some great deals to be had.

Needle Size:

Use a size 80-90 needle—which is great for medium-weight fabrics like cotton. This will help your sewing machine glide through multiple layers without breaking or skipping stitches.

Thread:

I recommend polyester thread for this project.

Cotton thread, while beautiful for quilts, isn't strong enough for the construction process where seams are pushed and pulled on firmly. It’s also a lot more durable for a functional project that will get a lot of use. I use good ol’ Gutermann polyester most of the time.

Interfacing: The Secret to Structure and Support

If you’ve ever wondered how to give your cotton fabric projects structure, interfacing is the answer. For the Crafted Life Companion, interfacing is crucial to give the shape and to keep your notebook cover sturdy and professional-looking.

Why Interfacing Matters:

Cotton fabrics come in a lovely range of prints and are easy to sew with, but they are too soft and floppy for structured projects. Adding interfacing stops the fabric from stretching and sagging, makes it more durable, and gives it an entirely new structure when you need it.

I use 3 sorts in this project and layer them to achieve the perfect look:

1. Medium weight woven fusible interfacing:

This is a woven interfacing that fuses to the reverse and matches the look and feel of the fabric, without changing the texture. It’s great if you have a light coloured fabric as it prevents darker fabrics shadowing through it. I recommend using Pellon SF101 or any other equivalent brand.

2. Heavy weight fusible interfacing:

This is a non-woven synthetic interfacing that is very stiff, but also flexible and easy to sew through. I use this to give the exterior flap it’s rigid inside structure. I recommend Pellon Peltex 71F or any other equivalent brand.

3. Fusible Fleece:

This is technically not interfacing, but it goes inside the fabric layers as padded wadding or batting that adds dimension and softness. It’s easy to work with, and add extra charm. I recommend Pellon 987f or any other equivalent product.

Where to Buy:

In Australia you can find these interfacings at Spotlight stores here:
- Birch Shape to Create (sub for SF101)
- Legacy 71F - direct substitute for Pellon 71F
- Legacy Fusible Fleece - direct substiture for Pellon 987F

In the US you can find these online at fabric stores like Joann Fabrics, Mood Fabrics, or Amazon and bag specialty shops

Where to Buy the Perfect-Sized Notebook

Notebooks to fit the Crafted Life Companion are widely available worldwide as bullet journals and lined and blank books. Here are some great places to find A5 (6” x 8.5”):

In store (Australia)
- Target and Kmart
- Officeworks
- Most newsagents and supermarkets

In store (US)
- Target and Walmart, both in-store and online.
Online:
- Etsy has a wide variety of beautifully designed A5 notebooks.
- Amazonoffers a range of affordable A5 notebook options.

Make sure to double-check the measurements of your notebook before starting so that it fits snugly within your cover.

Tips to Ensure Your Project Ends Up the Right Size

The last thing you want after hours of sewing is for your project to be the wrong size.

Here’s how to make sure your Crafted Life Companion turns out perfectly:

1. Print the Pattern Correctly:

As mentioned earlier, always print at 100% or "Actual Size" and check the scale square.

2. Trace and Cut Accurately:

Make sure to cut the templates out precisely, paying special attention to any curved or small pieces. Use a rotary cutter and ruler for precise cuts.

3. Mind Your Seam Allowance:

The pattern has a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance, so be sure to sew consistently with the correct seam allowance.

4. Read the Pattern Carefully:

Each step in this pattern is constructed in a particular order to ensure everything fits together really well. Pay attention to the instructions to maximise great outcomes.

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Choosing Fabrics: Make It Your Own

One of my favourite things about the Crafted Life Companion is how customizable it is through fabric choices! You can sew it as written in the pattern with 4-5 prints.

For the Spine:

I often use a small stripe pattern horizontally to mimic the look of a book spine. This gives the cover a sophisticated, timeless look.

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For the Front Flap:

A bold, large-scale print is a fantastic way to make a statement. It adds personality and makes your cover stand out.

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Front and Back covers:

Aa smaller coordinating print that works with the Front Flap.

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For the Interior:

1-2 prints inside to keep things calm and modern. Using small geometrics, stripes, or tiny prints. This creates a visually pleasing look when you open the cover, adding to the "bookish" feel.

Accurate Sewing for Pockets and Curves

Precision and attention to detail is key for a great result in this pattern. When sewing pockets and curves in this pattern, pay attention to each seam and work slowly, especially to ensure that everything fits smoothly and looks professional.

Here are five tips to help you achieve perfect accuracy:

1. Use Pins or Clips:

Secure your fabric pieces together with pins or clips to keep edges lining up and avoid slipping while sewing.

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2. Slow Down:

Sew slowly around curves, guiding the fabric gently through the machine without pulling or stretching.

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3. Trim Seam Allowances:

For sharp corners or tight curves, trim your seam allowance down by half to reduce the bulk and snip the curves to open out the pressure on the curve.

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4. Press as You Go:

Pressing your seams open after every step can help with accuracy and keep your fabric looking crisp and clean.

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5. Topstitch Tips

Adding topstitching to pockets or along edges can give your project a polished finish while also holding the layers together along the edge. Choose a thread that matches or contrasts your fabrics. Increase your stitch length to 3-3.5 as topstitching looks great in a longer stitch and also helps you sew straighter.

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Final Thoughts

Sewing the Crafted Life Companion is more than just completing a project—it’s about enjoying the entire creative process. Whether you're new to sewing or a seasoned pro, this pattern is designed to be as enjoyable as it is rewarding.

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube tutorials for extra guidance along the way, and if you have any more questions, feel free to reach out. I can’t wait to see the beautiful Crafted Life Companions you create!

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