How to sew a bookmark (two ways) | Quick and Easy sewing project for beginners

Do you love to read as much as you love to sew? Here’s a step-by-step sewing tutorial for how to sew a bookmark two ways.

It’s a fun DIY sewing project for all ages. Quick and easy, a perfect first sewing project for beginners. It’s a scrapbuster too!

The first method is super-quick – cut and sew in 5 minutes – with pinked edges and quilt batting. Method 2 has enclosed seams for a cleaner finish, but is still a super-fast project.

Use one fabric for both sides of the bookmark or use two different fabrics for some contrast (or to suit your mood!). Use contrasting thread to add a colourful detail, or a matching thread to hide your wonky stitches!

Having trouble sewing straight? Get tips and tricks to sew straighter seams here.

Watch the video below or keep scrolling for the photo-tutorial for how to make a fabric bookmark:

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Method 1: Quickest and easiest DIY fabric bookmark

Supplies

• 1-2 small pieces of quilting cotton
• Small piece of quilt batting
• 4 inch (10cm) piece of Ribbon
• Thread
• Pinking shears
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine

Instructions

1. Cut 2 rectangles of quilting cotton, 3 inch x 7 inch (7.5cm x 17.5cm), one for the front and one for the back of the bookmark.
2. Cut a 3 inch x 7 inch (7.5cm x 17.5cm) piece of quilt batting.
3. Place front fabric right side down.

4. Place quilt batting on front fabric.

5. Fold ribbon in half to create a loop. Place at the centre of one of the short ends of the fabric, with the raw edges to the centre of the fabric.

6. Place back fabric right side up on quilt batting.

7. Pin or clip all the layers of fabric and batting together.

8. With a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew around the outside of the bookmark. I prefer to start at the ribbon, and then sew over the ribbon again at the end to reinforce it. Backstitch at the end to secure your stitching.

Tip: When you get to a corner, put the needle down, lift the presser foot and turn the fabric. Lower the presser foot, and continue sewing!

9. Trim the edges of the bookmark with pinking shears. To trim around the ribbon, fold the layers away from the ribbon and trim the front and back layers separately.

And there’s your completed bookmark.

Method 2: DIY fabric bookmark (with enclosed seams)

If you don’t like the pinked edges and want a cleaner-looking design, here’s another quick and easy way to sew a fabric bookmark:

Supplies

• 1-2 small pieces of quilting cotton
• Small piece of medium-weight iron-on interfacing
• 4 inch (10cm) piece of Ribbon
• Thread
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Iron and ironing board/mat

Instructions

1. Cut 2 rectangles of quilting cotton, 3 inch x 7 inch (7.5cm x 17.5cm), one for the front and one for the back of the bookmark.
2. Cut a 3 inch x 7 inch (7.5cm x 17.5cm) piece of interfacing.

3. Press the interfacing onto the wrong side of one of the fabric pieces.

4. Place front fabric right side up.

5. Fold ribbon in half to create a loop. Place at the centre of one of the short ends of the fabric, aligning with the raw edges with the edge of the fabric.

6. Place back fabric right side down on front fabric (so right sides together, with the ribbon sandwiched in between).

7. Pin or clip the fabric together.

8. With a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew around the outside of the bookmark, leaving a gap along one of the long sides.

Tip: Sew at right angles from the edge of your fabric in the seam allowance, and turn to sew parallel to the edge of the fabric. At the end, turn and sew into the seam allowance at right angles to your seam. This will help your seams fold in when the fabric is turned.

9. Clip the corners of the fabric.

Tip: Clipping in two steps will result in sharper corners!

10. Turn the fabric through the gap, so that the right sides after facing out. Use the ends of your scissors/knitting needle/chopstick to ease out the corners.

11. Press the bookmark with an iron.

12. Sew a row of top-stitching all the way around the bookmark, 1/4 inch from the edge of the fabric.

And there’s your completed bookmark!

More sewing inspiration:

• All the best sewing projects for beginners
• Now that you can make a bookmark, why not sew a potholder too.
• Are your stitches a bit wonky? Get tips and tricks for how to sew straight.