Wondering how to make a fabric bookmark? Bookmarks are a fun and easy way to use up precious small scraps – they make great gifts and stocking stuffers too!

I worked on these right as my baby woke up out of her sleepy newborn phase  a few years ago and it was so satisfying to actually finish something, fast. I have several shirts I’ve been working on for days… in 30 minute increments. If you’ve sewn for very long, you don’t need a tutorial for these. But if you’re a beginner or don’t want to mess with guessing at measurements, read on! I have a whole list of fabric scrap projects if you still have leftovers. Updated in 2023 – see a slightly more complicated and detailed version of this: How to sew a bookmark here on Swoodson Says.

I used denim for the backing, which gave them a little weight. Perfect to use up old jean scraps too! This is a great beginner sewing project; get more beginner sewing project ideas here.

I made a second one, I was having too much fun. The book pictured is “Mollie Makes Embroidery: Adorable Stitched Projects Plus Tips & Tricks”*, see my review for it here.

How to make a fabric bookmark

Supplies

• Iron
• 3 scraps of fabric – 2 cut 3″ X 3.5″ 1 cut 3″ X 4″
• 1 scrap of fabric for the back cut 3″ X 9″
• Pinking Shears*
• Coordinating Thread
• Sewing machine

Steps

1. Lay your bigger scrap piece in the middle and decide which order you’d like the other two to be in.

2. Sew the front scraps right sides together, with 1/2″ seam allowance. Press the seams open.

3. Place the scrappy front wrong sides together with the backing fabric and sew along both horizontal seams, quilting it to the back. Press.

4. Sew with 1/4″ seam allowance around all 4 edges and then pink the edges! Boom, you’re done.

If you’re looking for some new books to put your fun new bookmark in, check out this post with links to 10 of my favorite craft book reviews!

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