estimated reading time: 6 min

Sewing bookmarks – with a free pattern

15.10.2025 by Sabine Schmidt

Lesezeichen nähen – mit kostenlosem Schnittmuster

What do I need for that?

Sew a bookmark

Freebook · PDF
To the sewing pattern →

Time expenditure: approx. 20–30 minutes

Materials & Details

Rotary cutter^*

Machine:: Backstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H250

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Home decor fabrics are fabrics intended mainly for home decoration – anything that should look beautiful and be a little hard-wearing. They're usually woven a little more firmly than dress fabrics and therefore keep their shape nicely.

Depending on the type, home decor fabrics can be lightweight or really sturdy. They often have great patterns, textures or colours that instantly catch the eye.

They're usually straightforward to sew because they keep their shape well and are easy to work neatly. Perfect for sewing projects where a lot of stretch isn't needed.

Home decor fabrics are ideal for cushions, curtains, tablecloths, chair covers or bags.

In short: stable, decorative and perfect for everything that makes your home more beautiful.

Woven cotton

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H630

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*

Woven cotton is a classic, non-stretch cotton fabric. It's comfortable to wear, relatively lightweight and at the same time nicely stable.

The surface is usually smooth or slightly matte and feels natural and soft. Depending on the quality, it can be thinner for light clothing or a little firmer for sturdier projects.

Woven cotton is really easy to sew: it hardly slips, is easy to cut and is great for beginners too.

It's perfect for blouses, shirts, dresses, skirts or for decor such as cushions, pouches and patchwork.

In short: simple, versatile and a true all-rounder for lots of sewing ideas

Canvas^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H200

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Canvas is a very sturdy, densely woven fabric that feels really stable. It's usually made of cotton or a cotton blend and is made to withstand quite a lot.

The surface is rather firm and sometimes slightly rough, but can be a little smoother depending on the finish. Canvas has hardly any stretch, but keeps its shape nicely.

Sewing it can take some effort because it's thick and stable – but in return you get a very long-lasting result. Fraying is easy to keep under control with the right technique.

Canvas is perfect for bags, backpacks, seat cushions, decor or even sturdy jackets.

In short: strong, long-lasting and ideal for anything that needs to be really stable.

Cotton poplin^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H250

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Poplin is a fine, densely woven cotton with a smooth, slightly cool surface. The fabric feels pleasantly soft, yet it is nicely stable and has no stretch.

Typical of poplin: it is fairly lightweight but still drapes neatly, so it looks clean and a little smarter than regular cotton.

Poplin is super easy to sew – it cuts well, hardly shifts and is great for beginners too.

It is perfect for blouses, shirts, dresses, skirts, bags, cushions or summer trousers.

In short: smooth, light and an easy fabric for lots of lovely everyday pieces.

Corduroy fabrics^*

Machine:: Zigzag stitchOverlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline H200

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Corduroy is a sturdy fabric with a very typical ribbed texture. These fine or wider stripes give it its unmistakable, slightly retro look.

The fabric feels soft and textured at the same time. It is warm, comfortable to wear and really durable.

Depending on the type, corduroy comes fine (needlecord) or coarse with wide ribs – both have their own charm.

Corduroy is usually easy to sew; just keep an eye on the nap direction of the ribs.

It is perfect for trousers, skirts, jackets, dresses or bags.

In short: cosy, sturdy and a true classic with vintage flair.

Jeans fabrics/denim^*

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Interfacing:: Vlieseline G770

More info

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Denim is basically the classic jeans fabric – sturdy, tightly woven and really hard-wearing. Its slightly diagonal texture is typical, often with the blue-dyed look that everyone instantly associates with jeans.

The fabric is rather firm and a bit stiff at first, but softens over time and moulds itself better and better. That is exactly what makes denim so durable and popular.

It needs a bit more power when sewing – a strong needle and a sturdy machine help here. In return, the result can really take a lot.

Denim is perfect for jeans, jackets, bags or anything that has to stand up to everyday life.

In short: strong, timeless and a true everyday hero on the fabric shelf.

Woven fabrics^*

Machine:: Backstitch functionStraight stitchOverlock seam
Interfacing:: Vlieseline G770

More info

Needle:: Universal needle, size 60–70, walking foot
Thread:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Woven fabrics are made from two sets of threads: warp threads and weft threads, which are interlaced crosswise. As a result, they usually have no stretch and hold their shape well.

Depending on the material and weave, they can look very different – from light and airy to firm and sturdy. That is exactly what makes them so versatile.

Woven fabrics are usually easy to sew because they cut well and keep their shape. The only thing is that they can fray a little at the edges.

They are perfect for clothing such as blouses, shirts, skirts and dresses, but also for bags, home decor and many other projects.

In short: classic, versatile and the basis for lots and lots of sewing ideas.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Sewing bookmarks is fun and goes lightning-fast with the free pattern. These DIY bookmarks are a great gift for bookworms.

Sewing bookmarks: the perfect project for fabric scraps and book lovers

In this tutorial, I will show you how to sew a pretty fabric bookmark – very simply, quickly, and with minimal material requirements.
With my free pattern, you can sew the bookmark yourself in no time at all. It is perfect for sewing beginners and a great upcycling project.

The most important things at a glance

Great project for fabric scraps or upcycling
Free pattern
Perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself
Ideal for beginners
✂️ Sewing level: easy
⏰Sewing time: approx. 20–30 minutes

Do you need a small, personal gift that is finished in less than an hour? Then this DIY bookmark is just the thing.

🎥 YouTube Tutorial: Sewing bookmarks step by step

Who is this sewing project suitable for?

Sewing a fabric bookmark is an ideal project for beginners – or for anyone who just wants to sew something quick in between.
Children can also wonderfully take part here. You only need a sewing machine that can sew straight and some patience.

And of course, this project is also suitable for those who enjoy sewing with cotton fabric.

Why is it worth sewing a bookmark?

Sewing a bookmark is simple, fast, and sustainable. You can use up fabric scraps, create personalized gifts, and sew completely stress-free.

Bookmarks are also perfect last-minute gifts – for bookworms, students, or teachers.

Cool idea: If you want to gift a book, you can theme the fabric of the bookmark to match the book!

What do beginners need to know to sew a fabric bookmark?

For your first bookmark, you only need basic skills:

Sewing straight
Turning
Topstitching edges

The best fabrics to use are non-stretchy cotton fabrics or canvas. If you like, you can additionally embroider the bookmark or make it even more personal with a design, or a cute iron-on patch or label.

If you are a total beginner, my online course "The SewSimple Sewing License" will help you – perfect for learning all the basics.

What features should your sewing machine have?

Your machine only needs to be able to sew straight and reverse.
If you like working with faux leather or oilcloth, a teflon foot or a walking foot helps to feed the fabric evenly.

Tip: For most cotton fabrics, an 80 universal needle is completely sufficient.

Which fabrics are suitable for sewing bookmarks?

You can get wonderfully creative here – the only important thing is that the fabric remains stable.

Fabric type	Properties	Tips
Cotton woven fabric^*	Light, colorful, easy to sew	Ideal for beginners
Linen^*	Natural & elegant	Important: Finish the edges
old jeans	Robust & keeps its shape	Perfect for upcycling
Canvas^*	Heavy & stable	Very durable
Faux leather/ Waxed fabrics^*	Modern & elegant	do not iron!

I used the chic fabrics from Emjo-Design^* for my bookmarks. Claudia Grunert from Emjo-Design designs her fabrics with a lot of passion and imagination. You might also know Claudi from the great photoshoot pictures. She really likes to use SewSimple patterns with her beautiful fabrics 🫶🏼

Which stabilizers are suitable for reinforcing bookmarks?

You do not need to reinforce normal poplin or canvas fabrics at all for this project.

However, if you are upcycling shirts or blouses and want to use fine fabrics, it is recommended to reinforce the wrong side of the fabric with a little interfacing beforehand.
To ensure your fabric bookmark is nice and stable, I recommend Vlieseline H250 or G710.
These stabilizers are thin but provide enough hold so the bookmark doesn't bend.

You can also skip the stabilizer with thicker fabrics like jeans or faux leather.

Tip: Use a dish towel or parchment paper when ironing to protect delicate fabrics.

Free pattern for bookmarks

You can find the free pattern in the SewSimple Freebook section.

Size of the finished bookmark

The finished bookmark is approx. 7.5 x 19 cm in size.

The freebook may only be used for private purposes. If you would like to sell the bookmarks, you need a SewSimple license.

How to get the freebook

Sign up for the SewSimple newsletter
Confirm the registration via email
Create a customer account with the same address
Log in and download the freebook in the "Free patterns" section

If the download doesn't work, try another browser or access the page on a PC.

Preparation & Cutting

If you want to decorate your bookmark (e.g., with embroidery, design, or label), do so before cutting.
This allows you to position the motif precisely. The same applies to embroidery. You can of course find matching embroidery designs at SewSimple.

Iron the fabric thoroughly with steam beforehand to prepare it.

Trace the pattern onto your fabric with a fabric marker or tailor's chalk and cut it out.

When cutting, you should definitely pay attention to the grainline of the fabric. If you cut diagonally to the grainline, the bookmark can warp when ironed. Then the edges will no longer fit together and the whole piece will become crooked. :)

Conclusion: Sewing bookmarks made easy

Sewing a bookmark is the perfect beginner project:

Quickly sewn
Hardly any material needed
Ideal for using up fabric scraps
Great as a gift or DIY small token

In just 30 minutes, you can sew your own lovingly designed bookmark – without any stress or prior knowledge. At any rate, it was so much fun that I first conjured up a whole bunch of cute bookmarks for my loved ones and myself with all sorts of iron-on images. Really cool for a little sewing craving in between...

Try it out – you will see that sewing (and reading) makes you happy! 💕

Happy simple sewing
yours, Sabine

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Sew a bookmark

So, got everything ready? Then let's get started. Your iron, the pressing ruler and the point turner should be within reach, because you'll need all three right away.

Step

1️⃣ Cutting
Step

Cut the pattern 1 x on the fold from main fabric.
Step

2️⃣ Reinforcing

Only for lightweight fabric: iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of the outer or inner fabric.
Step

3️⃣ Pressing
Step

Press both long sides 2 cm to the wrong side.
Pressing the folds works brilliantly with a pressing ruler (you'll find it in the favourite accessories list under the link above).
Step

This is what it should look like now.
Step

Now fold the two long sides so they meet flush.
Press everything thoroughly once more.
Step

Fold the two short edges so they meet flush.
Press the fold.
Step

This is what it should look like now.
Step

4️⃣ Sewing
Step

Sew the folded fabric exactly along the pressed crease with a straight stitch.
Step

Sew the folded fabric exactly along the pressed crease with a straight stitch.
Step

5️⃣ Folding
Step

Pull the resulting corners apart so that the seam lies exactly on the centre crease.
Step

Shape the corners well and press everything.
Step

Then pin the open straight edges flush, right sides together, with the seam allowances folded open.
Step

5️⃣ Finish the bookmark
Step

Sew the short, straight edges with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance.
Step

Press the seam allowances open.
Step

Then fold the already pressed seam allowances back to the wrong side.
Step

Turn the bookmark right side out and pin all edges together flush.
Step

Edgestitch all the way round the bookmark with a longer straight stitch, e.g. 3.5 mm.
Step

And your enchanting bookmark is already finished 🥰

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.

Sewing bookmarks – with a free pattern

Sewing bookmarks: the perfect project for fabric scraps and book lovers

🎥 YouTube Tutorial: Sewing bookmarks step by step

Who is this sewing project suitable for?

Why is it worth sewing a bookmark?

What do beginners need to know to sew a fabric bookmark?

What features should your sewing machine have?

Which fabrics are suitable for sewing bookmarks?

Which stabilizers are suitable for reinforcing bookmarks?

Free pattern for bookmarks

Size of the finished bookmark

How to get the freebook

Preparation & Cutting

Conclusion: Sewing bookmarks made easy

Sew a bookmark

1️⃣ Cutting

2️⃣ Reinforcing

3️⃣ Pressing

4️⃣ Sewing

5️⃣ Folding

5️⃣ Finish the bookmark

Comments

Sabine