Spoonful of Sugar Blog Tour: Joyful Journal Jacket

Greetings, friends! It’s Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs, and I’m so excited to be sharing a project with you today as part of the Spoonful of Sugar Blog Tour. I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Therm O Web to showcase my Joyful Journal Jacket pattern, made extra special with fabrics from the enchanting new Spoonful of Sugar collection by Jennifer Long of Sew a Story for Riley Blake Designs.

If there’s one thing Mary Poppins taught us, it’s that a little imagination—and perhaps a spoonful of sugar—can make even the most ordinary moments feel magical. This charming fabric collection brings that storybook whimsy to life with beloved Mary Poppins characters, playful text, graceful florals, parasols, kites, and the sweetest teacups and teapots, all wrapped in a soft, cheerful palette of blue, gold, peach, white, green, and pink.

It was the perfect match for a project designed to protect and celebrate your creative journaling and artistic adventures. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to add a touch of storybook magic to your Joyful Journal Jacket, creating a cover that’s just as charming on the outside as the ideas waiting inside.

So, let’s get creative! Gather your materials and follow along as I show you how to incorporate Therm O Web products when making a journal cover perfectly sized for a standard composition notebook—transforming a simple writing pad into a beautiful place to capture ideas, stories, and creative moments.

What you need:

• HeatnBond Fusible Fleece
• HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
• SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape, ⅝
• Joyful Journal Jacket Pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs (available in my Etsy Shop) Digital Pattern or Paper Pattern
• A Selection of Fabrics from Spoonful of Sugar by Jennifer Long of Sew a Story for Riley Blake Designs (I used fat quarters, but the pattern is precut friendly)
• 17” coordinating ¾” Rick Rack
• 1” Square or Circle of Velcro
• 1 Standard Composition Notebook
•  Basic Tools (sewing machine, coordinating sewing thread, iron, wonder clips or pins, cutting tools and rulers, etc.)

How to Make a Joyful Journal Jacket

(Closed 7¾” W x 10” H x ¾” D – Open 15½” W x 10” H)

This tutorial focuses on using Therm O Web products to get the best results. For detailed instructions and measurements, please refer to the Joyful Journal Jacket pattern.

Directions:

1. Assemble front cover unit. Apply HeatnBond Fusible Fleece to the back of the cover unit to provide structure, padding, and stability.

• Pre-heat iron to a medium setting, no steam.
• Place the rough side of the Fusible Fleece on the wrong side of the cover unit.
• Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth.
• Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
• Allow it to cool.

2. Add coordinating rick rack trim. Use SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray to hold trim in place for sewing.

• Protect your work surface with a sheet of HeatnBond Pressing Paper.
• Shake the can well before use.
• Hold can upright, 12 inches from the back of the rick rack surface. Press the nozzle and apply adhesive in a sweeping (side to side) motion to lightly and evenly coat the surface.
• Wait 30 seconds then press sprayed rick rack onto the project while still tacky, repositioning as needed.

3. Create the Closure Tab.

Use HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Interfacing to provide stability to the fabrics.

• Pre-heat iron to a high setting, no steam.
• Place the rough side of the fusible interfacing against the wrong side of the tab fabrics.
• Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth.
• Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to new area, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
• Allow it to cool.

Use SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray to help hold the Velcro in place for sewing.

• Protect work surface with a sheet of HeatnBond Pressing Paper.
• Shake can well before use.
• Hold can upright, 12 inches from back of rick rack surface. Press nozzle and apply adhesive in a sweeping (side to side) motion to lightly and evenly coat surface.
• Wait 30 seconds then press sprayed item onto project while still tacky, repositioning as needed.

4. Create journal flaps and lining. Apply HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing to the backs of fabrics to provide stability and support.

• Pre-heat iron to a high setting, no steam.
• Place the rough side of the fusible interfacing against the wrong side of the fabrics.
• Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth.
• Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to new area, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
• Allow it to cool.

5. Assemble the cover. Once again, SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray is perfect to hold the Velcro in place for sewing.

Use HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape to quickly and easily close the opening left for turning.

• Cut a piece of HeatnBond Fabric Fuse PeelnStick Fabric Adhesive Tape slightly smaller than the opening left for turning.
• Adhere the tape inside the opening along the edge.
• Peel off the paper liner.
• Press opening closed with firm pressure. For best results, use the rounded side of a metal spoon or a wooden iron and press down with your thumb while applying heavy, consistent pressure. The harder you press, the better the bond. Repeat this step on the back side of the item.

And just like that, your Joyful Journal Jacket is complete! This thoughtful combination of quality Therm O Web products, the storybook charm of the Spoonful of Sugar fabric collection, and a well‑designed pattern makes journaling feel extra special. Whether you’re using your journal to jot down ideas, record memories, sketch, or plan your next creative adventure, this cover is designed to protect your notebook while adding beauty and joy to your everyday routine.

Thank you so much for joining me today on the Therm O Web blog as part of the Spoonful of Sugar Blog Tour. I hope this project inspires you to explore this charming Mary Poppins–inspired collection and create something meaningful of your own. Looking for more creative ideas? Visit my blog, website, or Instagram—and be sure to tag me when you share your finished projects. I’d love to see your creativity in action! Until next time, happy sewing and journaling!