A Note: Not all composition books are the exact same size. These are made by Norcom and are 9 3/4 X 7 1/2 inches. You may need to adjust the measurements a little to cover the books.
You will need 3 pieces of fabric. A lining fabric (which can be pieced to the proper size), the outer fabric and a contrasting pocket fabric.
Cut a plain lining fabric 11 X 24 inches. If you have scraps of fabric you want don't want to waste, simply sew them together until you have a lining the right size. I forgot the take a photo of the lining fabric - but its pretty self-explanatory.
Cut the outer fabric 12 X 24 inches. You can piece this fabric - either crazy or patchwork, and cut the patchwork to the right size when you finish piecing.
Cut the contrasting pocket fabric 4 X 5 inches.
Iron a 1/4 inch seam to the WRONG side on all four sides of the contrasting pocket fabric.
Flip it over and press it well.
Lay the 12 X 24 outer fabric down on your ironing board, RIGHT SIDE DOWN. Lay the plain lining fabric on top of it - RIGHT SIDE UP. Note that the lining is pieced. :)
Iron the long 1/2 inch edge of the outer fabric towards the inside - over the plain lining fabric.
Sew the folded-over edge down each side.
Fold and iron down the short edges on each end.
Sew the short edges down.
You now have all raw edges sewn under, towards the lining fabric. Press the seams, and flip the outer fabric facing up.
Lay the composition book in the middle of the two layer fabric sandwich. Adjust so that its centered. It doesn't have to be perfect, just try to get each side even. I don't measure, but you can if you want it perfectly even.
Turn the flaps over the book ends, and iron well.
With the book still in the cover, mark the sewing line at the top and bottom of each flap. The sewing line will be at the very edge of the book's front and back cover, top and bottom.
Open the front flap - which is on the RIGHT SIDE. Using the book's position as a guide, place the pocket where you want it - and at least 1 1/2 inches ABOVE the bottom seam line. Pin in place.
Sew around the outer edges of the pocket, leaving the top open.
Sew a seam up the middle of the pocket. You can measure, but I don't, I just center it as best I can.
Turn the flaps back down and pin at top and bottom. Sew each flap at the top and the bottom, just a smidge to the right of the drawn lines (this is for easement when inserting the book).
Turn the flaps inside out, using a poking tool to push the corners out. Iron down the top and bottom edging in the middle of the book cover.
You can machine sew the middle part of the upper and lower seam down, but if the outer fabric isn't "busy" the seam lines will show. If you like that look, its fine. I prefer to do a quick handsew running stitch and fasten the seams down.
The finished cover, on the inside.
Slide the book's front cover into the front flap.
Roll the back cover up some, and then slide it into the back flap. You may have to wiggle and adjust the cover a little so it fits properly.
The composition book, inside the cover.
The covered book, with the pen and pencil pockets.
