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DIY bookends

Up your shelfie game with Leah Farquharson’s mini beanbag DIY bookends in mismatched shapes. They're ideal for busting that fabric stash!

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Leah Farquharson

Published: May 14, 2021 at 7:59 am

We do love a perfectly styled bookshelf here at Mollie HQ – colour-arranged displays and plenty of knick-knacks are our kind of eye candy. These DIY bookends are a great rainy afternoon project, ideal for using up a fat quarter pack or some of your beloved leftover scraps. Leah Farquharson will show you how to make these super simple bookends that you can make for yourself or give to a book-loving friend!

Use the same type of fabric in different colours or prints for a smooth finish. If you're mixing different prints, choose ones in the same palette for a coherent look. All seams are stitched using an 0.5cm (¼") allowance.

This project was created by Leah for Mollie Makes magazine – for more easy-make craft projects and creative inspiration, subscribe to Mollie or click here to find out more.

If you're new to sewing then make sure you head to our beginners guide to sewing and our how to use a sewing machine guide, which will teach you all the basics you need to know. Now on with the DIY bookends!

DIY bookends

DIY bookends

For your DIY bookends you will need:

You will need:

fat quarters
Poly pellets
Stuffing
Scissors
Needle
Thread
Sewing machine

Step 1

DIY bookends step 1 copy

Using the templates from issue 64, cut four pyramid sides, one pyramid bottom, four tower sides and two tower bottoms.

Making the pyramid DIY bookend

Step 1

DIY bookends step 2

Stitch two side pieces right sides (RS) together, starting and ending 0.5cm (1⁄4") from the edge.

Step 2

DIY bookends step 3a

Add two more pyramid side pieces in the same manner, starting and ending 0.5cm (1⁄4") from the edge.

Step 3

DIY bookends step 4

Stitch the first pyramid side piece to the last pyramid side piece, RS together, starting and ending 0.5cm (1⁄4") from the edge.

Step 4

DIY bookends step 5a

Open the pyramid and pin to the square bottom piece, RS together. Stitch each side individually, leaving 5cm (2") open on one side.

Step 5

DIY bookends step 6b

Trim the excess fabric on all five corners. Turn RS out. Press the edges of the opening under.

Step 6

DIY bookends step 7a

Stuff the top third of the pyramid. Fill the rest with the poly pellets to add weight.

Step 7

DIY bookends step 8

Stitch the opening closed with the needle and coordinating thread, using a whip stitch. DIY bookend number one complete! Set the complete pyramid bookend to one side.

Making the tower DIY bookend

Step 1

DIY bookends step 9

Stitch two side pieces RS together, starting and ending 0.5cm (1⁄4") from the edge. Add three more side pieces in the same manner, starting and ending 0.5cm (1⁄4") from the edge.

Step 2

DIY bookends step 10

Stitch the first tower side piece to the last tower side piece, RS together, starting and ending 0.5cm (1⁄4") from the edge.

Step 3

DIY bookends step 11b

DIY bookends step 11c

Open the tower and pin to the square tower bottom piece, RS together. Stitch each side individually, until all four sides are complete. Repeat with the other tower square piece, leaving 5cm (2") open on one side. Repeat Steps 6, 7, and 8 to finish, then find a spare spot on your shelf to show off your DIY bookends.

We hope you enjoyed sewing Leah’s DIY bookends! Now you’ve caught the sewing bug head over to our sewing patterns for beginners which has loads of different fashion and home projects for new sewers. There’s everything from summer dress patterns to a free owl sewing pattern.

Looking for more home decor projects? Learn how to make a duvet cover, how to make roman blinds for your home, how to make a lampshade, how to make curtains or how to make a doorstop.

Meet the Maker

Leah lives in the greater Miami area with her husband and their two boys. She owns Bluebird Chic, selling bright, modern, handmade goods she stitches up in her studio space. Visit www.bluebirdchic.com to see her shop and blog, where she shares crafty projects, recipes, and any other mischief she’s been up to.

Leah Farquharson

Sewing pattern designer

Leah loves taking familiar things and giving them a new twist. She’s an experienced sewing designer from Miami who regularly contributes patterns to magazines such as Simply Sewing Magazine and Mollie Makes. A keen scrapbooker and gardener, Leah founded Bluebird Chic in December 2010.