Craft Project: Bookmark Holder

Bookmark Holder

Check out this easy, DIY craft project–a bookmark holder.

 

I love to read.  Over the years, I have accumulated a large collection of bookmarks.  I still have a few bookmarks from elementary school!  Now, my son loves to read too.  He also has a growing collection of bookmarks.  I came up with a quick, easy way to make something to hold all of those bookmarks.

Here’s what you need:

1. Container:  A fairly lightweight container, medium size (about the size of a large drinking cup).  It can be made of just about anything–tin, plastic, wood.  The container can be round, square.  I would avoid a glass container if you are using this for kids.  Also, avoid containers that are too short, or all of your bookmarks will just flop over in the container.  I found this tin/metal container for a few dollars at Wal-Mart.
2. Fabric:  A fun fabric of your choice.  We chose a Star Wars novelty print (of course!).  How much fabric you need depends on the size of your container.  About 1/2 yard should be enough.  Avoid stretchy fabrics, or fabrics that are too fuzzy, as they will be harder to work with.
3. Thread:  I typically like to choose thread colors that blend in.
4. Ribbon:  Choose a ribbon color that will go with your fabric.
5. Batting (optional):  I had a medium-thick batting in sheets, so I used that.  You can use any kind of batting.
6. Glue:  I used a combination of Gorilla Glue and a hot glue gun.  You can use any strong fabric glue, or any other glue that you like.

What’s next?

1) Measure and cut your batting to fit around your container.  I like to add batting because it gives the finished holder a soft, dimensional look.  This step is optional.  You could just affix your fabric straight onto the container.

 

2)  Affix (glue) your batting onto the container.  I use Gorilla Glue (afflink) because it is so strong.  You could use any other type of glue that you think will work to affix the batting that you have to the type of container that you have.

 

3)  Measure and cut your fabric to fit around your container.  I allow a 1/2 inch-1 inch seam on all 4 sides, and iron those seams down.  This makes the fabric easier to work with.

 

4)  Sew around all of your seams.  This will help give your edges a clean, crisp look, and prevent the fabric edges from fraying.

 

5)  Fit your fabric around your container.  Make sure it fits before you affix it.  Make adjustments if necessary.

 

6)  Affix your fabric down onto the batting and/or container.  Again, you can use something like Gorilla Glue.  You can also use hot glue, or fabric glue.  Any glue that you like to use should work pretty well.

 

7)  Measure a length of ribbon to fit along the point where your 2 edges come together.  This will hide the seams/edges.  Affix the ribbon down with glue.

 

8) Do the same thing around the top and bottom edges.  Measure and cut the ribbon to go around the container.  Affix the ribbon down with glue.

 

9) (optional) Add little felt or rubber pads to the bottom of your container to prevent the container from scratching surfaces, and to prevent the container from sliding around.

 

That’s it!  You have a cute, fun bookmark holder!

Tip:  If I were to make another one, I would probably use a wider ribbon that I can fold over the top of the container as I wrap it around.  This would give the finished product a more polished look, and hide the top where you can see the batting edges.  Since this bookmark holder is for my son, I knew that he wouldn’t care, so I guess I’ll have to make another one for myself! 🙂

I made this bookmark holder many years ago.  My Gone With the Wind wedding dress fabric was crazy expensive, so any little scrap that I had leftover, I tried to use.  I used a scrap of my dress fabric to make myself a bookmark holder.  For this one, I used a square, tin container.  I folded the padded fabric over the top into the inside.  But, that ended up being extra work that isn’t necessary.  Again, I would try to use a wider ribbon and just fold that over the top.

Happy crafting!

Do you love to read?  Where do you keep all of your bookmarks?  Your other reading accessories (lights, covers, etc.)?  Share them in our comments!

–Mellie