15+ Fabric Bookmarks for the Book-Lover in Your Life
Learn how to make fabric bookmarks with a whole range of patterns and templates to choose from.
This is a great way to use up all your bits of scrap fabric pieces, which, if you’re anything like me, you’ll have a huge surplus of!
These bookmarks make great last-minute gifts for avid readers, or little stocking fillers for children.
They are one of the simplest things to make, and you can sew a whole bunch in just an hour or two. Being so easy to make also makes them a great project for children just getting into sewing.
Whoever the book-lover is in your life, you can be sure to find a DIY fabric bookmark that they will love here.
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Table of Contents
Fun Bookmarks For You To Make
Fabric Bookmarks
You can make bookmarks from paper, card, felt and a whole range of materials, but there is something really special about a fabric bookmark that will last for years and years.
Some of these bookmarks are quite plain and simple, others have lots of embelishments and take a little longer to make. Whichever design you prefer, I hope you find one that you want to make for the avid reader in your life.
If you have loads of teeny tiny trimmings left over from projects, this is a great way to use them all up! You'll only need tiny slithers of fabric to create a fun bookmark.
I love how unique each of these scrap fabric bookmarks turns out, and you can add extra detailing with embroidery over the top of the scraps of fabric.
This simple project is perfect if you have larger bits of scrap fabric where you can use one piece of fabric to create a simple bookmark.
If you have pretty fabric rectangles that are detailed enough to be used, then you can whip up a few of these in no time.
If you're tired of your bookmarks always falling out of your book when you slip it into your bag, here is the perfect solution!
This elastic bookmark stretches around the cover and the pages, keeping your place no matter what!
How sweet are these hand-embroidered bookmarks? There isn't a full tutorial for this one but there are lots of inspiration images in Elefantz' blog post about them to spark your own creativity!
You could embroider anything you like onto fabric and turn it into a bookmark. For example, your child's favorite stuffed animal or your friend's favorite flowers.
These gorgeous bookmarks would be a great way to add a handmade touch to a book you're gifting someone.
I love how you can quite easily use up plenty of your fabric scraps and create a modern-looking, wonderful gift.
This one is another simple yet striking-looking bookmark. Again, you only need a couple of pieces of the same fabric, which you can then quilt to give a lovely effect.
The tutorial takes you through how to make this bookmark along with photos for each step. It's super easy to follow.
This jelly-roll friendly pattern is a great and unique way to make a bookmark because not only does it keep your page, but it also doubles as a pen holder!
Wouldn't this be a great gift for someone just starting school or college?
Another really fun way to use up all your different fabrics is this lovely bookmark, which can be customized in any way you like.
Stephanie from SwoodsonSays also has a few other bookmark tutorials, including a no-sew bookmark.
I absolutely love corner bookmarks, and I love the level of detail on these ones!
If you already have a few embroidery skills, then this shouldn't be too tricky for you to make. If you've never embroidered before, Lia Griffith also has an embroidery skills course to help you out.
If you loved the look of the elastic bookmark I featured above but don't have any elastic, this is a great alternative! No more losing your place when your scrap of paper falls out!
It's a great scrap-fabric gift and it only take 5 minutes to make, making it a fantastic 'first-time' easy sewing project too.
I love the lace tabs on these fabric scrap bookmarks, it means you can tuck the bookmark right in, and still be able to find your place!
Maggie from Smashed Peas and Carrots had a clever idea to slip a piece of scrapbook paper inside the fabric to make it a bit more sturdy.
Another really sweet corner bookmark, this time without the embroidery work.
You can choose a whole mix of coordinating colors or patterns to make this project your own.
Jessica turned her grandmother's old handkerchiefs into bookmarks in this easy-to-follow tutorial and then used pinking shears to create the scalloped edge.
If you have something special you want to keep, these handmade bookmarks are a great way to preserve items of clothing or special fabrics.
How sweet is this little page-keeper? You can follow the whole tutorial, including photos and step-by-step instructions for free on Crafty Staci's blog, and she also offers a paid-for downloadable PDF sewing pattern.
If you have some scrap fabric that has a main focal point, this would make a great choice for this mini project.
Another very simple bookmark that only requires one type of fabric and minimal sewing.
This tutorial takes you through all the steps, including cutting the sides of the bookmark, and how to put your layers of fabric together.
I really like this cute tassel bookmark. made from lots of leftover fabric.
The tassels in this tutorial were shop bought, but you could quite easily make your own DIY tassels too!
Top Tips for Your Fabric Bookmark
- Use your sewing machine to sew your bookmarks inside out so you can keep all the raw edges inside the finished product. Make sure you leave a gap on one of the long sides to turn it the right way round.
- When you’ve finished sewing the two pieces of fabric together (wrong side of the fabric to wrong side). Cut off the corners of the bookmark to make it easier to press when you turn it right side out.
- If you’re making a bookmark for your DIY journal, why not make one in the same colors or theme as your journal?
- If you’re looking for embellishment ideas for your bookmark, these fabric flowers would make a lovely addition!
- Bookmarks make great beginner sewing projects. They’re a great introduction to sewing for children and even adults who have never sewed before.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make a bookmark out of fabric, cut two pieces of fabric to your desired bookmark size (roughly 2 x 6 “) and attach fusible interfacing to the wrong side of one piece of fabric.
Then, sew the second and first piece of fabric, right side to right side. Leave a small gap to turn the bookmark inside out and hand-sew the hole closed.
The best way to make a fabric bookmark stiff is to use fusible interfacing on the reverse side of your fabric to add extra durability and strength to your project.
You won’t need to sew the fusible interfacing onto the bookmark as it sticks to the fabric using steam from your iron.
Use heavy-weight interfacing if you want your bookmark to be completely stiff. Use a light or medium-weight interfacing if you want your bookmark to retain some of the flexibility and softness of your original fabric.
Your bookmark shouldn’t be any thicker than 3mm, or you won’t be able to close the book properly, and it will break the book’s spine.
If you use two pieces of fabric and a fusible interface, this should keep you within the 3mm thickness.
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