PitterAndGlink: How to Easily Sew a Monogrammed Fauxdori

Hey, y'all! Are y'all into the whole traveler's notebook phenomenon that seems to be sweeping the nation? Okay, maybe it isn't exactly "sweeping the nation," but for a while now, I've been seeing all these cute fauxdoris all over the internet and social media. Every time I see one, I think, "Oh, that's so cute!!! I want one!" But then I talk myself out of ordering one because I know I could make one. But my sewing machine isn't exactly my best friend because it scares me a little, so I don't make one. Well, I DIDN'T make one for a while. But a few weeks ago I decided to just go for it, and, y'all, it was so easy!!! So I knew I just had to share the tutorial with y'all. That's right: today I'm showing you how to easily sew a monogrammed fauxdori!!!

How to Easily Sew Your Own Monogrammed Fauxdori

Like I said, I am not totally comfortable with my sewing machine, but if you can sew a decently straight line, you too can make your own fabric-dori. This is normally the part of the post where I would share a supply shot and then a supply list, but since this was the first time I created this and I didn't really know what I was doing, I neglected to take that picture, so today we're just starting with the supply list. This supply list contains affiliate links, which is just a fancy way of saying that if you decide to purchase a product through one of my links, you'll be supporting my blog at no extra charge to you. (Thanks!)

Supplies:

Two Pieces of Coordinating Fabric (9 1/2" x 12" each)
One (or two) Pieces of Fusible Interfacing (9 1/2" x 12")--I used Pellon Fusible Interfacing 931TD. There may be a better kind to use, but this is what I had on hand.
Sewable Heat'n Bond
Sewing Machine
Thread
Rotary Cutting Set
Iron
HTV Monogram--Black HTV cut with my Silhouette Cameo.
Crop-A-Dile
Eyelets
Elastic

Coordinating fabric for your fabric-dori.

Step One

Cut your fabric and fusible interfacing. You'll need to cut two pieces of fabric: one for the cover and one for the lining (or inside of the cover). You'll also need to cut the fusible interfacing. (I only used one piece, but if I were to make this over again, I think I would try two pieces.) Cut all the pieces 9 1/2 " x 12". This will give you a finished cover that will comfortably hold two notebooks. If you'd like your fauxdori to hold more notebooks, you'll have to adjust the measurements accordingly. Once the pieces are cut, follow the package instructions for ironing the fusible interfacing onto the back of the fabric you cut for the cover.

Heat'n Bond fuses fauxdori cover with lining

Step Two

Cut a piece of sewable Heat'n Bond a little smaller than the size of your fabric. Iron the Heat'n Bond onto the fabric you cut for the cover. Do not peel the paper off of the Heat'n Bond once you iron it on.

Step Three

Place your fabric right sides together and sew around the cover, making sure to leave an opening so that you can turn the cover right-side out. Once you've sewn around the cover, remove the paper from the back of the Heat'n Bond; then turn the cover right side out.

Step Four

Following the Heat'n Bond directions, iron the cover flat and fuse the two sides together, making sure to fold in the edges of the opening you left so that it's even with the rest of the cover.

Step Five

Sew around the edge of the cover. I did this twice using pink thread just because I wanted a bit of contrast with the fabric I chose. (Also, I really need to practice sewing corners because mine turned out less than stellar.)

Step Six

Iron on your monogram following the heat transfer directions. I created my monogram using my Silhouette Cameo and black heat transfer vinyl from Expressions Vinyl. You can learn how to create a monogram with your Silhouette HERE.

Adding eyelets to the fauxdori with a Crop-A-Dile

Step Seven

Punch holes and set eyelets in your cover. In the middle of the cover, you'll need to place two eyelets at the top, one in the middle, and two at the bottom. I used my Crop-A-Dile for this. I also added a little Fray Check around the holes I punched in the fabric before I added the eyelets just to ensure that the fabric didn't fray.

Step Eight

Add elastic to the fauxdori. I purchased this elastic from the dollar store because it's hard to find colorful elastic in the limited places I have to shop around town. To create the closure for the fauxdori, fold one of piece of elastic in half and thread the folded end through the middle hole of the cover from the inside. Tie a knot at the end on the inside. This will be your closure. Fold a longer piece in half and thread each end from the outside of the cover through one of the bottom holes to the inside of the cover. Thread one end through both holes at the top and tie the ends of the elastic together. And that's it! Your brand new monogrammed fauxdori is complete!

Make your own monogrammed fabric fauxdori

I put two Moleskine journals (5" x 8.25") in my fauxdori, and they fit perfectly!

I just love that I was able to easily make this for myself inexpensively, and, of course, my little Southern heart just LOVES that it's monogrammed!

I already want to make another one using different fabric, but I really don't NEED another one. (Not that not needing something has ever stopped me from buying or making something before...)

I hope that this tutorial encourages you to try your own hand at sewing a fauxdori. If I can do it, you can too! If you make one yourself, I'd LOVE to see it. Tag me on Instagram or Twitter or share it on my FB page! Happy sewing!