This past week, my son had a school fundraiser with a fun twist: the kids had to create and sell their own items to help raise money for his 5th-grade class’s trip to Space Camp—how exciting is that?! After brainstorming some ideas, we landed on fabric bookmarks. Not only were they quick and easy to make, but they also turned out to be a huge hit at the expo!
I am so proud of my son—he took charge of the entire process! He cut out a total of 90 bookmarks (yes, 90!), sewed them, ironed them, and even marketed them at his booth. By the end of the week, he had completely sold out! Seeing him pour his heart into this project and gain confidence in his creativity was such a proud mom moment for me.
Since this was such a fun project for both of us, I thought I’d share the simple step-by-step tutorial with you today. These DIY fabric bookmarks are a great beginner-friendly sewing project that you can make with your kids in just 10 minutes. Plus, they make adorable gifts for friends, teachers, or anyone who loves to read!
Supplies You’ll Need
To make one bookmark, gather the following materials:
• (2) 2 ½” x 6 ½” fabric strips (All Fabrics used here are Art Gallery Fabrics)
• (1) 2 ½” x 6 ½” strip of lightweight interfacing
• A tassel or ribbon for embellishment
• A tube turner (optional but helpful!)
• An iron
How to Make DIY Fabric Bookmarks
1. Cut Your Fabric and Interfacing
Start by cutting two strips of fabric and one strip of interfacing to the dimensions listed above. This is a great step for kids to practice their cutting skills!
2. Fuse the Interfacing
Lay one of the fabric strips wrong side up and center the interfacing on top. Using your iron, fuse the interfacing to the fabric according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will add some structure to your bookmark.
3. Add a Tassel or Ribbon
Lay the tassel or ribbon at the top edge of one of the fabric strips, ensuring the loop or tail of the tassel is inside and the raw ends extend slightly beyond the edge. Clip in place. I like to baste the tassel in place at this point to avoid any movement.
4. Sew the Fabric Strips Together
Place the two fabric strips right sides together, aligning all the edges. Pin or clip them in place. Sew around the edges using a ¼” seam allowance, leaving a 1” opening on one of the short sides for turning.
5. Turn the Bookmark Right Side Out
Trim the corners to reduce bulk, being careful not to clip through your stitches. Use a tube turner (or a chopstick) to gently turn the bookmark right side out.
6. Topstitch
Fold in the raw edges at the opening and press the bookmark flat. Topstitch around all four edges, about ⅛” from the edge, to close the opening and give your bookmark a finished look.
Let the Kids Take the Lead!
What I love most about this project is how kid-friendly it is. My son did everything—from cutting and sewing to pressing and adding tassels. It’s an awesome way to teach kids basic sewing skills while giving them the satisfaction of creating something useful and beautiful.
Whether your little ones are working on a school project, making gifts for the holidays, or just looking for a fun weekend activity, these bookmarks are sure to be a hit. And who knows? You might just inspire a budding entrepreneur in the process!
If you give this project a try, I’d love to see your creations. Be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can cheer you on!
Happy sewing,
