Valentine’s Bookmarks

Jennifer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:36:13 +0000

I must admit, we aren’t huge Valentine’s Day celebrators around here, and I have been feeling very uninspired by all things red and hearty lately. Until this morning that is. I couldn’t sleep this morning and it was pretty early, and it hit me. Who doesn’t use bookmarks? I wanted to do some sort of project that wouldn’t be tied to one day in February, but could be enjoyed all year round. I think I may have found my crafty calling. This was the first time I ever did any machine embroidery and I just adore it. A couple of weeks ago, I had an amazon gift card burning a hold in my pocket, and I finally decided to get Free and Easy Stitch Style. I really love the look of machine embroidered items and thought I would jump in with both feet. I’m so glad I did. Here is an excellent tutorial by my friend Marmalade Rose to help you learn the basics. These were such fun, and after I got the hang of the embroidering, they were very quick. One of the best things about machine embroidery is that it doesn’t matter if your lines are a bit wobbly, they look perfect however they turn out. I made some heart bookmarks, but I also made some flowers. I am more of a flower gal than a heart one, which kind are you? Oh, and here is a tutorial for the bookmarks, I’d love to see any if you make some up.

Flower/Heart Valentine’s Bookmark Tutorial

Jennifer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:33:22 +0000

The best thing about these bookmarks is that they are not only perfect for Valentine’s Day, they are also great for anytime of the year. Here is a great tutorial for learning the basics of machine embroidery. Please make as many bookmarks as you want for personal use, but please don’t sell any bookmarks that were made using this pattern. Download Pattern (pdf) Materials: 2 pieces of fabric for the top and bottom of the bookmark 8 1/4" x 2 3/4" 1 piece of fabric for flower 3 3/4" x 2 3/4" 1 piece of fabric for leaf 5" x 2 3/4" (if making a heart bookmark, just cut one piece of your heart fabric the same size as the two muslin pieces) Gather your fabric pieces and iron if necessary. Trace your pattern onto your bookmark top piece (sorry it’s so hard to see, the bright sun was washing it out). Probably the easiest way to do this is to cut out the pieces on the pattern and then trace the inside straight onto the fabric. Carefully cut out the flower head and leaf (or hearts). I carefully clipped the center of the flower and cut around the edge with very sharp scissors. Using a 1/4" seam, stitch the two short ends of the flower and leaf fabrics together (if making a heart bookmark, skip this step as you will just be using the one patterned piece of fabric for all three hearts) Press the seam open. Lay your flower/leaf fabric right side up. Lay your cut out muslin piece on top. Drop your feed dogs, and carefully stitch around the leaf and the flower (or hearts). Don’t worry about it being perfect, it’s the wobbles that give it extra charm. Stitch three lines from the base of the flower to whatever length you desire. Lay your flower or heart piece right side up and place your bottom muslin piece on top. Raise your feed dogs back up, and starting near the middle of one of the long sides, sew a 1/4" seam all the way around, making sure to leave a 2" gap in order to turn it right side out. Clip the corners, making sure not to clip the stitches. Turn the bookmark right side out, fold the unstitched parts under, and press. Topstitch around the book mark and enjoy!

The Girl by the Sea » valentine’s bookmarks

Valentine’s Bookmarks

Flower/Heart Valentine’s Bookmark Tutorial