I’m trying to get my muse back using my fabric which is all over my studio. Maybe if I worked on some small stuff, I could get back into the groove. I decided bookmarks were a start. Here are the ones I’ve been working on.
I’m experimenting with different ways to make them. All are backed with felt except for the ones made from grandma’s quilt. These are sewn with a straight stitch and the edges finished with my pinking shears. I attached the top to light repurposed jeans fabric and then added the felt. They are a nice weight.
These are sewn with the Baby Lock #18 utility stitch. For the first ones below I attached the top to fusible batting and then added the felt. They may be a bit thick. The second set I used a light stablizer and added felt. They are a nice weight.
These are made from Grandma’s quilt, turned inside out and stitched so no raw edges. I just added fabric to the back since the quilt already had batting. They may be a bit thick.
Turning them inside out, was way too difficult to make them look good. The raw edged ones are so much easier. I’ve tried zigzags in the past and haven’t been happy with them. I think I’ve decided that the next ones will all be the Baby Lock #18 utility stitch. It keeps the raw edges tucked in and it’s not real difficult to do, once you get the hang of it. I’ve also decided using six fabrics was a bit much for these small items, so I’ll be cutting back to maybe just three.
Now that I think I know what I don’t want to use for these bookmarks, I need to make some more. I’ll be adding a tutorial when I make up my mind. I also was sewing the tops in one piece and adding the buttons. Then I added the felt and cut them out. That seemed to go faster then one at a time.
Meanwhile, my friend Dawn, a fellow artist is moving so she’s getting rid of some of her fabric. I went over to her house yesterday and brought back two big bags of fabric, mostly upholstery weight. Here are just a few of my favorite pieces. Not sure what I’m going to do with them, but they are beautiful. Any suggestions out there?
Spring is almost here. My Lenten Roses are blooming and a few of the daffodils have showed up. Love this time of the year when everything is changing.
We’ve had warm weather, then cold, and now back to warm with possible storms. It’s Spring in Indiana! Thanks for dropping by. If you have any suggestions about bookmarks, I’m all ears!
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I love all your book marks, and applaud the various ways you finished the edges. I have made some using timtek (I think that’s it) which is stiff, and I fused the fabric to both sides and zigzagged the edges. Great way to use up fabric scraps, and boy do I have a ton of them!
Are you putting anything stiff in the book marks? Or are they ok being a bit floppy?
Great idea for scraps
Good morning from South Africa
Your friend Dawn’s material looks stunning. Did you ever tried to make some mug rugs?
A mug rug is where you put your coffee or tea mug on together with a cookie of your choice.
Saves your table cloth and your wooden furniture. They are also great to gift to a friend.
Have a lovely day and keep those ideas coming, I love what you are doing.
Heidi
Upholstery weight fabric is great for throws with no batting, if you use the less stiff ones. My friend makes fabulous purses and bags with it, if you are into that. And thin, pinked bookmarks are probably the best and don’t forget about fabric on cardstock for bookmarks and postcards. Little bits of fabric to get that mojo back a little bit at a time!
Kathy, Thanks. Yes, my first thought was totes. I really like making the bookmarks out of my dyed/printed fabric, but I think I might make some bookmarks with them. Also, placemats. Thanks for giving me some ideas!
Heidi, I’ve made just coasters but never made them bigger. Great idea! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Appreciate it!
Thanks. I’ve got lots of fabric I’ve dyed/printed to work with!!!
Vivian, I’ve been testing different things. On one set I pieced on denim and then added the felt. Another I pieced and put it on batting then the felt. Another I just backed the pieced piece with felt. The last one I like the feel but I don’t like the stitches on the back. The one with batting is a little stiffer than I want, but maybe not! I’m continuing to test and plan to write a tutorial when I come up with what I like best. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Judy, I’ve not used Timtex for any of these. I’m testing to find the perfect weight for a bookmark. Now that I’ve decided on the edging, I need to decide on the the materials. I definitely don’t want to use that many pieces of fabric. Decisions, decisions!! Thanks for stopping by.