I don’t know about you, but I have a terrible habit of losing my place in the Bible. One minute I’m deep in Psalms, and the next, I’m flipping through Leviticus wondering how I got there. Sure, you could use a random receipt or an old grocery list as a bookmark, but where’s the fun in that?
Making your own bookmarks is not only practical, but it also adds a little personality to your study time. Plus, they make great gifts for small group friends or that person in your life who somehow always has a perfectly organized Bible (we all know one).
Here are 7 DIY Bible Bookmarks for Scripture Reading that are easy, cute, and actually functional.
Why Bother Making Your Own?
Before we get into the weeds with supplies and glue guns, let’s address the elephant in the room. Why make a bookmark when you can just grab a sticky note?
Honestly, because sticky notes fall out. They crinkle, they lose their stickiness, and they look terrible after a week. A dedicated bookmark stays put. It marks your spot reliably, and when you pick it up, it feels special. It’s a small ritual that says, “Okay, I’m sitting down to focus now.”
IMO, that little bit of intentionality makes a difference in how you approach your reading. Also, it’s an excuse to buy pretty paper and washi tape, which is always a win in my book. 🙂
1. The Classic Washi Tape Bookmark
This is the gateway drug of DIY bookmarks. It’s so simple that you have no excuse not to make ten of them.
What You’ll Need:
- Cardstock or thick paper
- Washi tape (the patterned stuff, not the plain matte kind)
- Scissors
- A paper cutter (optional, but it makes life easier)
The Process:
First, cut your cardstock into rectangles. I usually go for about 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. That size sticks out enough to see but isn’t so floppy that it bends inside your Bible.
Now, here’s the fun part. Lay your strip down and start layering strips of washi tape across it. Overlap them slightly, let them hang off the edges, and don’t overthink it. You can do diagonal stripes, chevrons, or just random chaos. Once the whole strip is covered in tape, flip it over and trim the excess tape hanging off the edges.
Pro Tip: If you want it to last forever, cover the back of the bookmark with a strip of clear packing tape. It adds stiffness and protects the paper from wear and tear.
I love these because they are thin. They won’t bulk up your Bible pages or leave a weird bump in the spine.
2. The Tassel Charm Bookmark
Want to feel a little fancy? Add a tassel. It instantly makes a plain piece of cardstock look like something you’d buy at an overpriced Christian bookstore.
What You’ll Need:
- Embroidery floss or thin yarn
- A bead with a large hole
- Cardstock
- Hole punch
The Process:
Cut your cardstock into a long rectangle and decorate it however you like (stamps, markers, or more washi tape). Punch a hole in the top center.
Now for the tassel. Take your embroidery floss and wrap it around two fingers about 20 times. Slide it off your fingers carefully. Cut a separate small piece of floss and tie it tightly around the top of the looped bunch. Then, take another piece and wrap it around the bunch about half an inch below the top knot to form the tassel head. Tie it off and hide the ends.
Thread the top loop of the tassel through your hole in the bookmark, then pull the tassel itself through that loop to create a knot. Slide your bead onto the top loop before you tighten it for extra flair.
Honestly, I make these while watching TV. They are mindless and satisfying. Just don’t blame me if you end up with floss tangled around your cat.
3. The Corner Fold Bookmark
Ever seen those cute little corners that hug the page? These are actually origami-based, and they look incredibly complicated—but they’re not. They grip the page corner so well that you could shake your Bible (not that I recommend shaking a Bible) and it wouldn’t move.
What You’ll Need:
- Scrapbook paper or decorative paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick (optional, for extra hold)
The Process:
Cut a 4-inch square of paper. Fold it in half diagonally to make a triangle. Place the triangle with the long side facing you. Fold the left corner up to meet the top point. Do the same with the right corner. Then, unfold those last two folds.
Now, fold the top layer of the top point down to meet the bottom edge. Tuck the left and right corners into the pocket you just created. It sounds confusing, but once you do it, you’ll see the pocket form.
You can leave it plain or glue the layers down so it’s sturdier. Slide it onto the corner of your page, and voila!
FYI: These are perfect for Bibles with thin pages because they don’t stab the paper; they just hug the edge.
4. The Photo Memory Marker
This one is my personal favorite because it combines scripture with memories. Ever have a verse hit you differently during a hard week? Pair it with a photo that makes you smile.
What You’ll Need:
- Printed photos (wallet-sized or smaller)
- Mod Podge or clear glue
- A paintbrush
- Cardstock or thick cardboard
- Ribbon
The Process:
Cut your cardstock slightly larger than your photo. Glue the photo onto the cardstock. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over the top of the photo to seal it. This gives it a nice, slightly glossy finish and prevents the photo from peeling.
Once dry, punch a hole in the top and thread a piece of ribbon through it. You can write the scripture reference or a short note on the back.
Every time you open your Bible, you’ll see that face or that place. It’s a great reminder of why you’re reading in the first place. I have one with a picture of my dog on it, because sometimes I need to remember who I’m praying for. 🙂
5. The Leather Look-Alike
Okay, so real leather is expensive and requires tools most of us don’t have. But faux leather? That stuff is cheap, easy to cut, and looks high-end.
What You’ll Need:
- Faux leather sheets (check Amazon or a fabric store)
- Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter
- A metal stamping kit or a permanent marker
- A hammer (if stamping)
The Process:
Cut your faux leather into a long, skinny rectangle. Round the corners with scissors for a softer look.
If you have a metal stamping kit, you can hammer words like “Hope” or “Faith” into the leather. Place the leather on a hard surface, line up your letter, and give it a good whack with the hammer. It’s surprisingly therapeutic. If you don’t have stamps, use a metallic Sharpie to write a verse reference.
These are super durable. They won’t rip, they wipe clean, and they look like something a hipster pastor would carry.
6. The Ribbon Slide Bookmark
This one is great if you’re reading a specific book of the Bible over a long period. It marks the exact line you’re on, not just the page.
What You’ll Need:
- A wide ribbon (1 to 1.5 inches wide)
- A charm or a button
- Needle and thread or strong glue
The Process:
Cut your ribbon about 12 inches long. Fold one end over a charm or a large button and sew or glue it in place. This creates a weight at the bottom so the ribbon hangs straight.
Now, slide a small bead or a ring onto the ribbon from the other end. This ring acts as the “slider.” You place the ribbon in the center of your Bible, close the cover, and the ribbon hangs down. You slide the bead up to mark the line you’re on.
Honestly, these are a bit fiddly to set up, but they work beautifully for study Bibles where you want to keep your place precisely.
7. The Paint Chip Stripe
This is the ultimate “I have zero money and no craft supplies” bookmark. And guess what? It works perfectly.
What You’ll Need:
- Free paint chips from the hardware store (the long rectangle ones)
- A corner rounder punch (optional)
- A pen
The Process:
Seriously, just grab a stack of those free paint sample strips next time you’re at the hardware store. They are the perfect weight—sturdy but thin. They usually have a hole at the top already, but if not, punch one.
You can leave them as is, with the pretty color gradients, or you can write on them. I like to write a specific attribute of God on each one: Faithful, Provider, Healer, Friend.
The Best Part: They are absolutely free. You can make a hundred of them and leave them in library books, hand them out at church, or stash them everywhere. Just don’t take the entire rack; leave some for the people who actually need to paint their houses. :/
Putting It All Together
See? You don’t need a Cricut or a degree in graphic design to make your Bible reading a little more organized and a lot more personal.
Whether you go for the industrial-chic look of a paint chip or the cozy vibes of a tassel, the point is to create something that makes you want to open the book. It’s a small act of creativity that feeds into a larger habit of discipline and reflection.
So, which one are you going to try first? I’ve got my eye on making a few more of those corner ones, mainly because I keep losing mine in the couch cushions. Happy crafting!
