Because life’s celebrations shouldn’t cost the Earth

Thursday 23 May 2013

Appliqued Fabric Journal Cover

(Another Personalised Notebook)


Today's note book cover is for a recipe journal.  It's for a special young couple who bought their first house earlier this year.  Now I'm not sure if people actually even use recipe books these days or whether they just rely on the internet and 'cloud'!  However, I'm guessing even technical types jot down family favourites to be passed onto the next generation.  If not, the jotter could just be used for shopping lists!


I drew a basic sketch of a kitchen, combining an antique Victorian style range/Aga with a retro 1950's food mixer!  I then traced all of the shapes onto fusible web and fabric and ironed them into place onto a nice neutral beige polka dot fabric.


I then highlighted the outline and details of each shape by stitching them in black thread using free motion machine embroidery.


This step is the most exciting part of any project as the black stitches really make each design 'pop'!


The front and back pieces were then ready to be joined and quilted.


After the quilting was done I attached the contrasting spine fabric and then fiddled around with the design a little, adding a polka dot cat and kitchen clock.

It was then simply a matter of sewing the whole thing up whilst adding a lining and flaps to hold a purchased journal snugly in place.

Voila - All done!


Front and back



Close-up of stitching details



There are loads of great fabric journal cover tutorials out there on the internet and the designs can be as simple or complex as you fancy.  Everyone needs a journal - Have a go!

8 comments:

  1. What a fab idea. I must give this a go! Love your design so cute and perfect for recipes.
    Thank you so much for the beautiful comment you left it really was so sweet x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this cover; the appliqué is just precious! I have a video tutorial on how to sew a fabric journal cover (http://darlingadventures.com/?p=1621) and I'm about to host a sew-along featuring journal covers. I'd love your feedback and would be thrilled if you participated :-)
    Ginny
    www.darlingadventures.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Ginny, I would love to take part! Your work is so inspirational and I was very taken with your video tutorial - It is perfect and just the thing to convince anyone they too can sew a work of art. I recommend it to everyone.....Go check it out guys!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad to see you back from your mini break from blogging,but glad for you that you have been getting published,that's fantastic. This is so beautiful! And yes - I do have a recipe book with recipes copied from my mum! I also sent it to her and she wrote in it lots of recipes from her childhood and mine. I really should make a cover for it and make it even more special. Thank you for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a Sew-a-long starting today and it features journal covers. Why not make a recipe themed version and join in? It's being hosted by Ginny at www.darlingadventures.com

      Delete
  5. Love, love, love the applique on your journal cover!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Featured today, Josie...
    http://www.threadingmyway.com/2014/03/threading-your-way-features_16.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love all of the cute details you have put into your appliqué!!

    ReplyDelete