In case you lost your directions or missed out on a kit, we have you covered. In this series, we will be showcasing past projects, in particular those that were originally released as Surprise Craftertunity kits at the library. So get ready to grab some spare materials and start crafting!
Embroidered Felt Bookmarks
These fun bookmarks are an easy entry into the world of embroidery. Using just a couple of techniques, you can create a colorful gift for the reader in your life (or to keep for yourself) and not have spent hours doing it. Also, there is no wrong way to do it. I have provided a couple of options for your experimentation. Look for previous post on basic stitches.
Materials:
Scraps of felt in various colors &/or sizes (preferably wool)
Embroidery needle
Embroidery floss/thread
Scissors
Shape templates (optional)
Heavy-weight Interfacing (optional)
Elastic bands or cord (optional)
Option #1 Instructions:
Corner Page Flower Bookmark
Cut a 3" square out of one of your felts. This will be your background. Cut it corner to corner.
Cut out your desired shapes of felt (or felt die cuts) and experiment with layering until you find the design you are happy with.
Choose a matching strand of embroidery floss / thread or a complimentary one. It's time for embroidery. Use any stitches you like such as long stitch, French knot, running, blanket, or anything else.
Embroider each layer individually then stitch all layers together. This will be your flower.
Now stitch the flower to one side of the triangle and stitch both triangles together to form your bookmark.
Option # 2a Instructions:
Circular Embroidery with Elastic Band
Cut two 3" circles of felt. Draw a slightly smaller circle inside one as your stitching line for when you pull it all together.
Embroider your design inside the smaller circle to form your top design. The Lazy daisy was the primary stitch on the demo (each teardrop/flower petal was a lazy daisy stitch) with a couple of tiny star stitches (five tiny lines going out from a single point) and that's it. You can do whatever you want though.
Once you have the top stitched, layer together your other pieces. Cut a smaller piece of heavy weight interfacing just slightly smaller than your inner circle. Place your elastic (we used an elastic headband) under this interfacing piece, but on top of the back felt piece. Add your embroidered circle to the top.
Sew all layers together with matching embroidery floss using a running stitch. Make sure you sew through the elastic headband into place as well.
When you've sewn all the way around the circle, knot your thread on the back of the circles and hide the knot and ends inside. Here's how: After you tie the knot, make a stitch beginning right at the point of the knot and coming out about an inch or two away on the back. (Don't sew all the way to the front or you'll see it). Pull very slightly on this thread and then cut the thread close to the felt. Once cut, it should disappear into the felt without having any loose tails and the piece looks neater, more finished.
Option # 2b Instructions:
Layered Circle "I Heart Books" Embroidery Bookmark with Elastic Band
Cut two 3" or larger identical circles of felt. Design a slightly larger shaped circle of felt by drawing the design on paper (or finding a desired template on the computer and printing it off), tacking it to your desired felt, and cutting it out. Measure the width of the elastic, and if using a strip instead of a band then cut the desired length, and cut two parallel lines in the middle of one of the smaller circles. This cut circle will be your back piece. It will cover your embroidery ends and where you join the ends of the elastic.
Start sewing. This variation just uses backstitch and lazy daisy stitch. Take the front circle and the middle circle and sew through both. The wreath's vine is backstitch, as are the letters. The leaves and heart are lazy daisy stitch.
Assemble the elastic: Measure an averaged or smaller-sized book, double it and add an extra 1-1.5" for sewing. Get the back of the bookmark and thread the elastic through the openings you made. Sew the ends of the elastic together.
Finish the bookmark: Sew the layers together along the outside edge of the front circle. For added security, you can glue the back with the elastic to the embroidery. Just make sure the part with the ends of strands faces inwards and covers all the stitched back.
Option # 3 Instructions:
Rectangular Embroidered Bookmark
Cut two 8x2" or larger identical rectangles of felt. If you want your finished bookmark to have a little more stiffness, also cut a slightly smaller rectangle of interfacing. If using a ribbon as a tassel, cut a piece about 5-6" long. Cut the tip into a fancy "V."
Draw out your design. Maybe play with layers of felt shapes or buttons.
Start stitching on one of the rectangles. Use whatever combination of stitches &/or layered felt pieces you want to achieve your design, leaving a narrow border for later.
Layer your rectangles with the stitched side out. If using interfacing, place that between the two outside layers. If using ribbon, place it 1/2" in on the top between the two layers with the "V" sticking out. Backstitch a narrow border through all layers, being certain to stitch through the ribbon if using.
Patterns are courtesy of teresadownunder.com, flamingotoes.com, and colorfulcraftcorner.com, in that order. Final pattern is original to the Brown Deer Library with inspiration drawn from previous patterns.
Comentarios