So, you love reading. I do too. There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book, a warm drink, and absolute silence (or as close to it as you can get). But let’s talk about the ultimate mood killer: losing your page. You either grab a random receipt, a stray piece of mail, or—the horror—you dog-ear the page. I won’t judge if you do, but we can do better. Way better.
I’ve been on a mission to make my reading time feel even more special, and these little felt guys are the answer. They’re quick, they’re cute, and they stay put. Plus, they make excellent last-minute gifts for your bookish friends. I’m going to walk you through six of my favorite designs that are perfect for adding a touch of handmade coziness to your reading nook.
Why Felt is the MVP of Bookmark Material
Before we jump into the designs, let’s talk about why felt is basically magic. I’ve tried paper bookmarks, and they either rip or slide right out. Metal ones look pretty but can sometimes dent the pages. Felt, though? It’s the Goldilocks of crafts.
- It’s grippy: The texture of felt naturally clings to the paper just enough so your bookmark doesn’t go flying every time you toss the book in your bag.
- No raw edges: You can cut it, and it just stops. It doesn’t fray like fabric, which means no extra sewing unless you want to.
- It’s soft: I don’t know about you, but I like things touching my books to be gentle. Felt is like a little pillow for your page.
FYI, I prefer using wool-blend felt because it’s softer and holds its shape better than the scratchy acrylic stuff, but use what you’ve got!
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Gathering supplies is half the fun. You probably have most of this lying around already.
- Felt sheets: In whatever colors your heart desires.
- Sharp scissors: A small, sharp pair for detail work is a lifesaver.
- Tacky glue or a hot glue gun: Tacky glue dries clear and is great for kids, but hot glue is instant and holds strong.
- Embroidery floss & needle: Only if you want to add some decorative stitches.
- Cardstock or cardboard: For making your templates.
- A pen or pencil: For tracing.
Design #1: The Classic Monster Smash
This is the design I always start with when I’m teaching someone. It’s simple, has a ton of personality, and uses almost no supplies.
Making the Base Corner
First, you need the triangle pocket that actually holds the page. Cut a square of felt that’s about 4×4 inches. Fold it in half to make a triangle. Now, take the two bottom corners of the triangle and fold them up to meet the top point. This creates a little pocket. Glue the side flaps down, and boom—you have your base. Trim the top edges if you want a cleaner look.
Adding the Monster Face
This is where it gets good. Cut a small rectangle from a contrasting felt color for a mouthful of teeth. Glue it just above the pocket opening. Then, cut two googly eyes from white and black felt (or just glue on plastic ones if you’re feeling lazy). I like to add little felt eyebrows angled in different directions to give the monster some attitude.
IMO, the best part about these is that no two look alike. One of mine has a single tooth and looks perpetually confused. It’s my favorite. 🙂
Design #2: Floral Fantasy
Okay, so maybe monsters aren’t your vibe. Maybe you want something that looks pretty resting on your favorite poetry collection. These floral ones are surprisingly easy to make look elegant.
Layering Petals
Start with your basic corner base in a neutral color like cream or light green. Now, cut out five or six teardrop shapes from different colored felt—pinks, purples, yellows. Arrange them on the front of the corner to form a flower shape before gluing anything.
Once you like the layout, start gluing the petals down from the back layer to the front. Add a small circle of yellow or orange felt in the very center. Want to get fancy? Add a tiny French knot or a seed bead in the middle for some sparkle. It’s a great way to use up those tiny felt scraps you can’t bear to throw away.
Design #3: The Sleepy Critter
This design takes the monster concept but makes it cute and snoozy. Think owls, foxes, or bears. Perfect for those late-night reading sessions when you’re about to fall asleep yourself.
Animal Ears are Key
Make your base corner. For an owl, cut two large circles for eyes and a small orange triangle for a beak. The real secret is the ears. Cut two small triangles from the same color as your base. Before you glue anything to the front of the bookmark, glue these ear triangles to the inside back of the corner, so they stick up over the top.
For a fox, use orange felt, add two white inner-ear triangles, a black nose, and cut the bottom of the corner to a point to look like a snout. It’s a small detail that makes a huge impact. Ever wondered why crafts like this look so professional? It’s always the tiny details like that.
Design #4: The Modern Tassel Bookmark
Maybe you’re a minimalist. Maybe you don’t want a character staring at you while you read. I get it. This design is sleek, modern, and has that lovely tactile element of a tassel hanging out the bottom of your book.
The Slip-on Design
For this one, you don’t need the triangle pocket. Instead, you make a simple sleeve. Cut a rectangle of felt that’s about 2 inches wide and 5 inches tall. Fold the bottom 1.5 inches up to form a pocket and glue the sides. This creates a sleeve that slips over the corner of your page.
Making the Tassel
Cut a bunch of 3-inch lengths of embroidery floss or thin yarn. Tie a separate piece of floss tightly around the middle of the bundle. Fold the bundle in half at the tie. Then, take another piece of floss and wrap it tightly around the folded bundle about a half-inch down from the top to form the tassel head. Trim the ends evenly. Glue the top of the tassel inside the top of the sleeve, and you’re done. It’s clean, it’s classy, and it feels expensive.
Design #5: The “Reading Cat” Corner
I couldn’t make a list of cozy things without including a cat. It’s practically the law.
The Classic Cat Silhouette
Start with a base corner in your cat color (mine is grey, obviously). Instead of leaving the top edge straight, cut two little triangles out of the top to create the classic pointy-eared cat silhouette. You can either cut it before you glue the pocket or after, whichever is easier for you.
Now for the face. Glue on two small green or yellow circles for eyes. Use a tiny triangle of pink or black for the nose. For the whiskers, instead of trying to cut tiny felt strips, use a single strand of black embroidery floss. Glue three on each side of the nose. It looks way cleaner and actually looks like whiskers. I made one of these for my sister, and she texted me, “This cat judges my reading choices.” Perfect.
Design #6: The Scrappy Patchwork
Do you have a pile of felt scraps that’s threatening to take over your craft room? Same. This design is the solution. It’s eclectic, colorful, and every single one is completely unique.
Building the Base from Scraps
You’re not going to cut a base from a single sheet. Instead, cut a bunch of small squares or geometric shapes from your various scraps. Arrange them on a table to form a 4×4 inch square. Play with the colors until you like the mix. Then, carefully glue the edges where the pieces meet to create one solid piece of patchwork felt.
Once the glue is dry, use that patchwork piece to form your corner bookmark. Fold it into your triangle shape. The corners won’t line up perfectly, and that’s the whole point. It looks rustic and handmade. It’s the “I am a very serious artist” look. 😉
Tips for Actually Getting Them to Last
So you’ve made a pile of these little guys. Now you need to make sure they survive more than one book.
- Let the glue cure: If you used tacky glue, give it a full hour under a heavy book to dry completely. Hot glue is instant, but check that the edges are really stuck.
- Reinforce the corners: The point of the triangle that goes into the page crease takes the most abuse. Add a tiny dab of glue right on that tip to keep the layers from separating.
- Store them flat: Don’t shove them in a drawer with a bunch of heavy stuff on top. Keep them in a little dish by your reading chair so they’re always ready to go.
Wrapping Up Our Cozy Craft Session
Honestly, once you make one, you’re not going to be able to stop. They take maybe ten minutes each, and they turn a regular book into a personal, treasured object. They’re the perfect little project for a rainy afternoon when all you want to do is drink tea and listen to a podcast.
So, which one are you going to try first? The judgmental cat or the confused monster? Go raid your craft bin and make a few. Your books (and your future self, looking for the page) will thank you.
