One of the things I wanted to work on this year was reading. And I have. In fact, I’ve worked on it a lot. It seemed only right to make a new bookmark to mark my place. I’ve already read more books this year than I did in all of last year! It started when I got sick and didn’t have anything to do but read. It’s like I caught the reading bug.
Fabric Stitchy Bookmark
materials needed
- scraps of fabric – smallish sizes
- canvas or duck cloth (pretty much the same thing)
- sewing machine with bright colored thread
Directions
Step One:
Lay out your fabric so it’s in the order you want.
Step Two:
Cut a general bookmark shape and sew the fabric to each other one piece at a time, use the zig zag stitch liberally, and trimming the excess as you work.
Step Three:
Take the canvas and sew it to the backside of the pieced fabrics, using a straight stitch, so it completely covers it.
Step Four:
Trim into a straighter bookmark shape (rotary cutter works great for this). Sew around all the edges with a zig zag stitch to finish off the edges.
And that’s it, all finished. These are so easy to whip together too. I’m sure you will like making it just as much as you enjoy tucking yourself in with your favorite read.
On the topic of reading
What have I been reading? Well, I tend to read a lot of non-fiction, usually pertaining to whatever I’m currently interested in. Right now I’m reading a book on dog training. Before that, I read about having an The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-sufficient Living in the Heart of the City (Process Self-reliance Series)
How do I find time to read? Well, have you ever read Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham? That’s pretty much my approach to reading–in a house, with a mouse, on a train, in the rain, here and there and on the roof. Seriously, I find I get the most reading done right in the morning while eating breakfast, on my lunch break, and any other odd chance I get–while cycling at the gym, while waiting for a train to go by in the car, I just make sure to have a book on hand so I’m ready to go.
Happy crafting and bookishness!
Kristin
I can’t wait to do this. I’ll be able to look at my favorite fabrics every night! Thanks so much, I’ll be linking as well.
I keep thinking how I need to make like a million on these for gifts :)
This is so cute. My little niece would enjoy doing this, but think we’ll use do modpodge as I have yet to tackle the sewing machine.
Instead of using canvas (which I would have to go out and buy) could I use a heavy fabric such as denim? That way I save a bit of money and use up old denim jeans that are no good to use except for scrappy projects. What do you think?
Type your reply…
Definitely! For me, I have loads of canvas laying around from painting, so it’s one of my biggest leftovers. Go with denim if that is what you have. Always look to what’s on hand first, right :)
I love this! it is so simplistic but so beautiful and really really effective.
Will be trying this for my new book. :)
Many thnks,
La
I wanted to try this craft, but don’t sew. So, instead of fabric I used scrapbook paper. A friend and I met today and she sewed the bookmarks. They turned out super cute. I also used thin ribbons or rickrack instead of sewing some of them and that worked well, too.
Great idea for all those bits and pieces that keep stacking up! Thank you!
very cute! i’ll have to do this with my fabric scraps! but maybe i’ll do scraps on both sides, so i can use them up faster. :)