Handmade Fabric Bookmarks for Old-Fashioned Reading Fun

by Vanessa Brady | Nov 2, 2015

As you read my stories of long ago I hope you will remember that things truly worthwhile and that will give you happiness are the same now as they were then. It is not the things you have that make you happy. It is love and kindness and helping each other and just plain being good.

—Laura Ingalls Wilder

Three Fabric-Covered Bookmark DIYs inspired by Little House on the Prairie

I’ve been so inspired by the new Little House on the Prairie fabric collections by Andover that I decided to try my hand at crafting some durable fabric bookmarks. Why not give your books the attention they deserve with one of these three designs? The first bookmark design is suitable for kids to work on with some adult supervision. The other two are a little more advanced.

You can pick up the fabrics at a store near you (search Andover’s store locator) where available.

Easy Window Bookmark

This fabric-covered bookmark has a peekaboo window that will allow you to choose a pattern or design to feature through the window.  This will be perfect as we begin to enjoy the Little House books as a read aloud.

Materials for Window Bookmark:

  • Little House on the Prairie® Fabric
  • Strong Double Stick Tape
  • Cardstock

1. Cut a 2” x 8” strip of cardstock.

2. Apply double-sided tape to both sides of the bookmark (leave the protective film on). Remove film from one side and affix fabric. Trim excess.

Line up the fabric the way you want it to appear in the window and use the double-sided tape to secure it for a unique one-of-a-kind bookmark.

3. Cut a square in the top of the bookmark. (Parents: Depending on the age of your child, you may have to complete this step.)

4. With the right side of the fabric showing through the “window,” stick your second fabric choice to the back of the bookmark and press in place. Line it up and attach it where desired.

Unique, no-sew fabric covered bookmark with a peek-a-boo window!

This is a great no-sew option to get kids involved in a fun craft.

Button Book Wrap Bookmark

This is another no-sew bookmark idea, perfect for creating an old-fashioned bookmark with beautiful fabric and lace. This is an unusual style of bookmark that allows you to wrap the lace through the book pages, while the button part rests on the front cover when the book is closed. Fun!

Fabric-covered button and lace bookmarks - materials needed.

Materials for Button-Covered Bookmark:

  • Little House on the Prairie® Fabric
  • Large Cover Button
  • Elastic Lace

1. Follow instructions found on the cover button packaging to cut and place fabric.

Cover the button with the circle of fabric as spelled out in the directions and then attach the lace.

2. Cut a piece of lace long enough to be stretched over book and tie a knot at the end.

3. Place lace loop and knot inside of the button and press the back of the button in place as the instructions specify.

Fabric-covered button bookmark with old-fashioned lace.

Quilted House Design Fabric Bookmark

This is a more advanced fabric bookmark, but is still easy enough to make in a single day and would be a lovely gift for a Little House book lover. Make this as a simple Christmas gift for a stocking stuffer, or add it to a gift pack of some favorite books.

Materials for the Quilted House Design Bookmark:

1. Print and cut the templates from the “Quilted Home Bookmark Pattern.”

2. Use templates to cut fabric pieces and begin sewing the quilted front together. Notice in the photo below that the non-roof triangle is the same color as the background so that the house will stand out once it’s put together. Sew the two triangles together, and then attach that square to the background strip.

Assembling the quilted house block on the bookmark

3. Now attach the roof to the house blocks so you have two halves of the house in strips. Attach the two house halves together, and lay them face down on top of a single-color background piece. Once complete, sew around the edges of the front and back, right sides facing. (Right sides facing means that you have the bookmark inside-out.) Make sure to leave a small opening to turn.

Sewing the front and back of the bookmark together.

4. Flip right sides out and press entire bookmark with iron.

Simple, quilted house makes a fabric bookmark inspired by Little House on the Prairie.

5. Sew tightly around the edge to finish. You may wish to add some decorative elements to the front of the house, but this is optional.

Simple quilted house bookmark - inspired by Little House on the Prairie

These three fun fabric bookmarks are perfect for dressing up your favorite novel or bringing to your book club! If you need inspiration for what to read, be sure to check out our Laura Ingalls Wilder recommended reading lists for adults and for children and young adults. There are some fabulous books here that you just may want to add to your bookshelf or Christmas gift giving list this season.

Three fabric bookmark DIYs inspired by Little House on the Prairie - which one will you choose?

We would love to see which bookmarks you make! Please share them with us on our Facebook page or on Twitter/Instagram using the #LittleHouseMoment hashtag and subscribe to our newsletter for more fun DIY ideas.

Vanessa Brady is the mother of two little boys and is an unabashed craft junkie. She is passionate about sewing, crafting, her children, and business. Find her original crafts at Tried and True blog.

6 Comments

  1. What a great idea!

    Reply
  2. really love this part…

    Reply
  3. Cute bookmarks–I especially like the pieced house one. I have love Laura as long as I can remember and still enjoy re-reading her books. Loving the Little House fabric as well.

    Reply
  4. I love everything about Little House On The Prairie These book marks would make beautiful gifts.

    Reply
  5. These are so cute! Will be making some for my favorite books 🙂

    Reply
  6. love the fabric and bookmarks…….but then I loved the series and I love to read….like constantly/ and quilt too !

    Reply

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