JOURNAL COVER

This tutorial will be showing you a fin technique 

Called  Quilt As You Go (QAYG) 

This will be fabric covered journal bit ways to

QAYO are endless. 

This is an easy way to make a quick gift.

Please read the entire tutorial before you begin!

UPDATED - September 2024

RSU (Right Side up)

RST (Right Sides Together)

WRU (Wrong Side Up)

Supplies...

• This is a scrappy version for outside journal cover 
• Fabric for lining and flaps (scrappy for QAYG) 
• Batting and a Composition Book
• Thread

Sew scraps together into 22” lengths or longer. 

Strips sizes can vary in length and width. 

Cut batting piece 15”x 18"

Lay first strip RSU angled at the center across the batting
Lay next strip on top of first strip RST
Sew using1/4" seams

Press open and continue the process, 
Alternate sides when adding strips



Press gently 


  

  Continue to sew down strip staggering seams as needed,

Pressing each strip.

  
Continue adding and pressing strips.

Cover the entire batting piece with strips.

Flip the piece over…

Trim the outside cover  to  11 1/2”  x 16 1/2”

Flip it back over.  This is the  QAYG outside journal cover! 

Cut Lining Piece 11 1/2” x 16 1/2”

Cut 2 Inside Flap Pieces 11 1/2” x 16 1/2” 

Now you have 4 pieces for the journal
1 Quilted Journal Cover

1 Lining Piece

 2 Inside Flaps Pieces

 Cut a small piece 2”   x 3 1/4” for the pen loop.
Press the short sides in 1/4"  and stitch them down

Fold in half (lengthwise - 3" side) and Press

Place the outside journal cover RS up

 Place the pen loop - raw edges out

 2" down from the top on the left side of the outside cover,
Stitch down 1/8" seam allowance

Finish the flaps (see photo below)
Fold the pieces in half WST - lengthwise  

You can add a pocket to the flaps.  

Measure the width x how deep you want them.

Sew 2 pieces RST across top and down one side.

Turn RS out, press 

Place pocket onto flap…all raw edges to outside 

Top Stitch down the folded edge of flap and pocket.

Review layered pieces 

Quilted exterior piece is RSU

Flaps with or without pockets RSD 

and  raw edges to the outside. 

Lining on top  (RSD)

Because the journal cover has "curved corners" 
Draw a curved seam line 1/2” from each corner
as a guide when you are sewing it all together.  
PIN all layers together!

Sew all around using 1/2” seam allowance
Leaving a couple inches at the side w/o pen holder for turning 

Trim seams to 1/4” all around, 

Clip the curves on corners 
 Turn project right side out! 

TIP - I luv to use a "chop stick"
 It is long and skinny to reach the corners easily
and not to pointy - helps avoid poking thru the seams.

Press all around the edges

Press the side opening in and then

Top stitch 1/8” all around the project,

Exterior cover RS Up, catch the the opening to close it. 

DONE

Slide the Composition book inside the flaps
TIP - fold the composition book outside covers
back together - away from pages
Then they will slide right into the cover!

If the book seems tight, remove and

trim  the cardboard a little 

Slide the composition book back into the cover. 

I did add a pocket on the front flap of my journal...

Add a pen into the pen loop

Enjoy!