Cute cats book cover and pencil case
With advances in material technology, cork fabric is now much easier to get hold of, and much easier to use!
To celebrate how cool cork is as a fabric, we’ve created these two cute cat appliqué and embroidery designs for you to download.
Scroll down past the download for instructions on how to turn your cork cats into the most purr-fect pencil case and matching sketch book cover.
Once you’re done making these two items, check out the free matching bag pattern and project here.
Paw-some!
Embroidery data
Funky cat 1
Finished size: 158 x 155mm
Stitches: 16119
Colours: 5
Please note:
This design is only for machines that can take a 260 x 160mm or larger hoop.The design is in PEN format and can only be read by Brother embroidery machines. This design is not editable.
Finished size: 178 x 156mm
Stitches: 10714
Colours: 6
Please note:
This design is only for machines that can take a 260 x 160mm or larger hoop.The design is in PEN format and can only be read by Brother embroidery machines. This design is not editable.
Pencil case materials
- Denim fabric: 40cm (use 150cm wide fabric) - non-stretch and not too thin. This is for the body of the pencil case
- Handbag zipper: 30cm
- Cork fabric: 20 x 20cm - for the appliqué
- Tearaway stabiliser
- Sewing thread
- Topstitching thread
- Embroidery thread
- Sewing and embroidery machine
- Scissors/snips
- Pins
- Machine embroidery needle and foot
- Machine denim needle
- Zipper foot (optional)
- Overlocker foot (optional)
Finished size: 26 x 36cm
Pencil case how to
Step 1
Download the Funky Cat 2 pattern.Step 2
Cut the piece of denim to be embroidered approximately 40cm square. Hoop with tearaway stabiliser.Step 3
Embroider. Use the cork fabric for the appliqué.Step 4
Remove the tearaway and press on the wrong side. Trim to 29 x 28cm.Step 5
Cut the top part for the front 9.5 x 29cm.Step 6
Finish one 29cm edge of each piece with an overlock or zig zag stitch.Step 7
Lay the zipper right side down. Position the overlocked/finished edges on the zipper, just below the teeth, right sides down. Pin in place and sew from the right side. The zipper is on the outside.Step 8
Cut a piece for the back of the bag: 39 x 29cm. Place it over the front, right sides facing. Before pinning, open the zipper halfway. Sew all around with 1.5cm seam allowance.Step 9
Trim and finish edges. Clip corners. Turn out and push corners out.Step 10
Press flat, being careful of the cork fabric. Top stitch all around with a decorative stitch.Step 11
Add a ribbon tie to the zipper puller.
Book cover materials
- Denim fabric: use 150cm wide fabric - non-stretch and not too thin. This is for the body of the pencil case.*
- Cork fabric: 20 x 20cm - for the appliqué
- Tearaway stabiliser
- Sewing thread
- Topstitching thread
- Embroidery thread
- Sewing and embroidery machine
- Scissors/snips
- Pins
- Machine embroidery needle and foot
- Machine denim needle
- Zipper foot (optional)
- Overlocker foot (optional)
*The finished size/amount of fabric used will be according to the size of the book you’re coving. This embroidery design will fit spaciously on an A3 size book, or snugly on an A4 size.
Book cover how to
Step 1
Measure your book to make a pattern.
Size for book cover:
Width = measure from the front, around the spine to the back.
Height = Measure top to bottom.
Draw a rectangle with these measurements and add 2cm all around (see diagram above).
Inside flaps:
The same height as the book cover above, and two thirds of the cover width.
Make sure you draw your pattern on a piece of fabric that is big enough to be hooped. Don’t cut your pattern pieces until after you’ve embroidered, so you have enough fabric to go in your hoop.
Step 2
Lay the pattern piece for the cover right side up and mark out the placement of the embroidery. Embroider the design, press carefully from the back and then cut to size according to the pattern you marked in Step 1.
Step 3
Cut the two flaps. Finish one long edge of each with a hem folded and sewn to the wrong side of the fabric.
Step 4
Place the flaps on either end of the cover piece, wrong sides facing the right side of the embroidered cover piece. Pin and sew around to secure.
Step 5
Trim the seams, clip the corners and turn out. Push the corners out, press the seams and roll them out.
Step 6
Fold the part between the flaps over to the wrong side and pin.
Step 7
Carefully press flat. Top stitch all around.
Stitching out tips and techniques
Do the embroidery first - be generous with the piece of fabric you use for this, so you have freedom to place your design when cutting the pieces for your book cover or pencil case. We can’t wait to see what you make! Remember to tag in Brother on Instagram and Facebook so we can share your makes and inspire others.
