Another day of creating around a table with amazing women.
This is one of the many projects that we have done as a group to prepare for the Winter Faire event. Every December the fourth grade class is in charge of the children's store. A place for these sweet little ones to shop on their own from hand-crafted items.
The items for the children's store are continuing to come in daily now. From the pine cone gnomes and hand-carved stamps to watercolor bookmarks and stationery. A basket of gratitude rocks was delivered this morning and many many other creative projects. It's a joy to see it all coming to fruition.
These felt notebooks are the most recent addition. Fun. Easy. And, the women gathered around a huge table this morning and sewed and embroidered almost forty notebooks. Last night as I was putting the books together my children wanted so desperately to make their own. I believe that these could be lovely birthday/holiday gifts for family.
So, inspired by, Kata Goldas and Purl Bee, I wanted to show you our process in creating them.
Another small tutorial. So you too, can make your own.
First, the books. These are created with felt. We used wool felt because it just feels the best. You can cut it to any size you desire. Large, small, Tall, short, even tiny for the little fairies in your life.
Then cut the paper you wish to use. This can be paper/magazines out of your recycle bin, printer paper, hand-made paper. Whatever you have lying around works. Then cut it a bit smaller than your felt notebook.
Next, you hole punch through the paper. I also tried hole punching through the felt, but it wasn't as strong. Then with your embroidery floss you sew through the layers and assemble the book. You can tie the thread on the inside or the outside.
Another version is sewing it together on a sewing machine. Sewing through paper can be exciting. Just depends what look you are going for.
Then, you can take the embroidery floss and sew all around the edges. Using either a running stitch, blanket stitch, or all those other stitches that I know nothing about. Some designs you can sew an additional piece of felt inside to add strength as well. We didn't put edging on all of the books. Experiment, that's the fun part. Also, I had a pair of pinking shears available which became a quick favorite.
Also, buttons and beads could be used to embellish.
Next, you can embroider with the thread or cut out felt shapes to apply on the outside. Here your options are endless. Remember that pieces of felt sewn inside can help cover tangled threads if that becomes a problem.
The last part is to enjoy all your work. I heard so many woman talking about going home and creating these with their own children. I know that they would love this as much as the adults did. What a wonderful family project don't you think?
Have fun. I would love to see your notebooks if you end up making some.
Happy Tuesday.
