No big surprise if you have following my blog this summer, but I worked on yet another pattern this past week. I made new pictures and graphics for the Notebook Slipcover. I also got to sew some slipcovers for the new pictures which was the only highlight since I spent the rest of my free time (as in the time not spent entertaining my kids, cleaning my house, making meals, or weeding my pathetic vegetable garden) working at the computer. It reminded me of what a versatile pattern this is- and how careful you have to be in taking your measurements since I messed it up several times in my over confident rush to get it done quickly. Yes, indeedy- I mess up my own patterns on a regular basis!
Since I have "back to school" on my mind, the first round of notebooks I made were binder covers and a notebook with the matryoshkas that I mentioned in the last blog post. I chose the fabrics and created the title page thinking of a young girl or college student. I really like the above title and this next one is the other version I made to fit better on the Etsy page...
I proof read the pattern one last time last night and planned on listing it in the shop today. When I started working on it this morning I realized I had forgotten to showcase the more adult side of this project. I have made it for my friends, my sister, my mother in law- all grown women who may not prefer polka dots and matryoshkas. SO, twist my arm, instead of listing the pattern like planned, I made yet another notebook slipcover out some of my favorite "grown up" fabric (although I admit I would totally carry around polka dots and matryoshkas myself!). The result was another title! Notebook Slipcover 2 ways!
Pretty huh? I think I'll just use them both in my etsy shop since I like to have 2 of each pattern listed at a time.
I really do enjoy working on my title pages. I'm sure I could benefit from some design tips but I love how you never know what you are going to get when you start with just your picture. Just a whole lot of trying things out and clicking on this and that in Photoshop Elements and you end up with something that just looks right. Maybe you have a more specific method you could share? Hmmm? This clicking around method is working for me right now.
The changes I made to the pattern were some small changes to the materials list, the shape of the flap, more pocket options, attaching the velcro differently and a better explained method of making the quick and easy notebook cover without a flap. SO EASY! I really just use the flap on the binder now. Here's a picture of that extremely exciting new flap.
Nothing like a good flap!
The above picture makes me happy- like I wish I could take that binder to class, open up that velcro flap, and start taking notes. All those manilla dividers with the different subjects written on them were so pristine at the beginning of the school year. Can you tell I am a nerd for nice school supplies?? The weird thing is that up here in Pennsylvania, at least in my school district, the teachers provide all the school supplies! Paper, notebooks, crayons- all of it. It's actually really nice but it means no shopping for this momma!
Now for your chance to win. Tell me what your favorite school supply was- nice new pens? Fresh clean notebooks? A cool new backpack? I will choose 1 winner (I'm sorry, it's just too confusing to choose 3- my brain gets overloaded going through the comments and counting on my fingers) on Wednesday August 10th.
Pens that write really smoothly and with colored ink.
Posted by: Krista | August 16, 2011 at 08:55 PM
I LOVE school supplies!!!! My favorite is probably pens.
I bought this pattern, but would LOVE to have the updated one... especially since I've never made it.
Posted by: Nicole Scott | August 10, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Definitely a few college ruled notebooks. And the paper had to be super smooth.
Love the notebook and binder covers, I was just thinking of adding some notebook covers to my craft fair collection this weekend!
Posted by: Mary Kay Christensen | August 10, 2011 at 11:22 AM
These are great Virginia! What a wonderful pattern!!!
Posted by: Maureen Cracknell | August 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM
Great pattern!! I will want to make bunches of these for my girls!!
Posted by: Shannon | August 9, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Notebooks were my favorite hands down (and still are; I'll use every excuse to buy myself a new notebook. . .)!
Is the give-a-way for a pattern or an actual slipcover? I would love to hold one of these in my hands - that would certainly help me to understand how to make one myself. Do you sell them in your Etsy shop?
Posted by: Zane | August 9, 2011 at 06:50 PM
My favorite thing was brand-new erasers. The gum ones with the corners still intact. It seemed like they wouldn't stay that way for long...
Posted by: Sarah | August 9, 2011 at 03:31 PM
I love this pattern! I always liked getting brand new crayons.
Posted by: Shelly | August 9, 2011 at 12:47 PM
I reread your post this morning, and I too live in Pennsylvania, a little further south than you do, not too far away from you, and the teachers in our (affluent) community DO NOT provide anything for the children. Also, we are EXPECTED, as in required, as it is on the school supply list, to supply kleenex, hand sanitizer, ziploc bags, clorox wipes and anything else the teachers deem necessary. And, we have to replenish everything a few times throughout the year. How I long for the good old days when the school district paid for the necessary items as we have 3 boys in school. We literally spend hundreds of dollars that we don't have, on supplies. We are also expected to pay for our boys to participate in sports and clubs as well as pay for the lowest paid coaches or sponsors salary that they make for coaching the team or working the club. Nice, huh? And although we live in an affluent community, my husband and I by the grace of God, had the privilege to buy a very tiny 2 bedroom house built in 1944 in which we are stuffed into. We are by no means affluent, except in our love for our boys and each other. All of the supplies and fees are putting a HUGE stress on our already meager living. So, as you can see, not all schools in PA supply everything. Some supply nothing.
Posted by: Louise | August 9, 2011 at 10:44 AM
I always spent a long time selecting folders. There were so many designs. I still prefer patterned folders over the plain bornig ones for my grown-up organizing!
Posted by: Kristin Gilbert | August 9, 2011 at 08:30 AM
I love this pattern -- I think it would make a great gift for my sewing friends who keep inspiration journals. I used to love shopping for back to school supplies at People's Drug in my hometown. I think my favorite was a new 3-ring binder AND the little zipper pouch that went inside -- a blank slate for the school year's worth of doodling. Thanks for walk down memory lane.
Posted by: Julie B | August 9, 2011 at 06:47 AM
My favourite school supply was new rubbers/erasers. Especially as over the summer I would buy them at every place we visited on family day trips. Having them in my pencil case kept those fun memories close by!
Posted by: Annie Mc | August 9, 2011 at 06:33 AM
I always liked getting a new backpack and a new folder :)
Posted by: Stefanie Gott-Dinsmore | August 8, 2011 at 09:41 PM
I always loved brand new crayons and pencils. And new notebooks.
Posted by: Babe | August 8, 2011 at 06:18 PM
I loved getting a new sketchbook and good quality pens each year!
Posted by: Nadia | August 8, 2011 at 05:23 PM
I love ink pens (NOT ballpoint) and handy cases to keep them in!
Posted by: Eleanor | August 8, 2011 at 04:08 PM
when i was about 12/13 we were all became obsessed with fountain pens at my school - and my favourite thing to buy was purple ink for them... if only i had the time to write with them now!
Posted by: charlotte | August 8, 2011 at 04:01 PM
I love school supplies! That was always my favorite thing to do before school. I love binders and pencil cases!
Posted by: Pink Stitches | August 8, 2011 at 03:55 PM
oohh.. new notebooks. I love the possibility of them. Blank pages just waiting. Now I have an 8 year old and I love to supply shopping.
Posted by: Melissa Hannon | August 8, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Oh wow, if we go WAY back I remember my favorite school supply were the fun erasers! Dinosaurs, basketballs, soccer balls, etc.. loved them all :)
Posted by: Sheri Petersen | August 8, 2011 at 02:23 PM
This is the first time I have seen a cover for a binder. Very cute!
I too love school/office supplies. I almost dread back to school sales because I get a little carried away. :)
A new Trapper-Keeper was my fav as a kid with the school bag a close second.
Posted by: A.J. Dub | August 8, 2011 at 01:06 PM
I always loved new notebooks! I still do, notebooks, notepads, journals, doesn't matter! And I rarely use pencils. I hate it when they smear across your page. At work, blue pens for me. At home, black pens... what's up with that?
Posted by: April | August 8, 2011 at 11:57 AM
I love school supplies!! Binders and notebooks and notepads are my favorite. Although a good pack of crayons is always well loved also :)
Posted by: Dawn A. | August 8, 2011 at 11:56 AM
I still get to choose new school supplies - I'm a teacher ! I always choose some fancy pens to do my marking with ! LOVING the patterns - fingers crossed for this one !
Thanks for the opportunity !
Posted by: Margaret C | August 8, 2011 at 11:46 AM
I loved to get a new Box of crayons and glue. I also loved having a new box of freshly sharpened #2 pencils.
Posted by: Emily | August 8, 2011 at 10:40 AM