Hi there friends,
I’m popping in today with a super quick diy… honestly, this craft project will take you less than a 1/2 hour to complete.
What’s more, it’s made with teeny weeny fabric scraps and things you probably already have in your craft room, so if you need a quick handmade gift idea… this is it!
Many of us still read real, turn-the-page books and therefore need bookmarks.
I made these pretty shabby cottage style bookmarks with left over fabric scraps.
For these ones I used scraps from my Tanya Whelan Rosey fabrics in pink, aqua and mint that I got from my friends at Shabby Fabrics.
The following instructions are just a guide.
What I love about these free motion stitching projects is the freedom to just create. No plans, measurements or rules… just have fun and wing it!
Materials:
Fabric scraps, muslin/calico fabric for base of bookmarks, fusible webbing, eyelet for each bookmark and DMC cotton in a coordinating colour.
Iron, sewing machine and normal sewing supplies.
Striped bookmark: for this bookmark I used a calico base 5cm wide x 15 cm high.
1. Iron fusible webbing onto the back of some smaller fabric scraps, then cut out rectangles that are 5 cm wide and varying heights; mine were 1 cm, 1.5 cm and 2 cm.
2. Iron these patches onto your calico base (as above) and then using a decorative stitch on you sewing machine, sew a seam where the fabrics meet – see my faux patchwork tutorial. To edge the bookmark I applied a free motion stitch in a coordinating coloured cotton.
3. To make a pretty hanger to attach to the bookmark, I chose a flower print fabric and sandwiched a piece of fusible webbing between two layers of the fabric. Using the same cotton as I edged the bookmark in, I free motion stitched a circle around the flower motif. Leaving a 2mm allowance outside the stitching, I cut the circle out with sharp scissors. It’s not perfect, but that’s what adds to the charm of the shabby look.
House bookmark: for this bookmark I cut a strip of calico 5 cm x 30 cm and folded it in half so that is ends up measuring 5 cm x 15 cm.
1. Nothing was measured or drawn up for this house bookmark. I simply ironed fusible webbing onto the backs of the fabrics and cut out shapes.
2. For the roof I trimmed the top section to taper in at the top after I had ironed on the fabric patch. The folded fabric gives the bookmark more weight, but it is optional to decorate the back. I chose to make it double sided.
3. When you have all your elements ironed on, use a free motion stitch in brown cotton and outline all the areas. Then, fold the fabric back in half and stitch the final perimeter outline through both layers.
I made the heart the same way as I made the flower motif, by wedging two pieces of fabric together with fusible webbing and free motion stitching a heart shape and then cutting out.
Attach eyelets to the centre top of each bookmark… as shown above.
Thread a piece of 6 strand DMC cotton on a needle and insert through heart or flower shape. Knot cotton and attach to bookmark through eyelet.
There you have it… a super quick and easy handmade project which is the perfect accompaniment to a gift of a book, a book gift card…. or just for yourself!
My friends and family always tell me I’m difficult to buy for, but I’ve been telling them for years that I love books and therefore I’m always happy to receive a book gift voucher…. and it’s even better now that we can shop online.
Happy crafting
♥
Kerryanne
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So pretty Kerryanne.
I agree with you, you can’t beat a “real” book.
Toni xx
really cute and simple
all you need is a sewing machine, we all have fabric
I’ll make some out of my toile material
I like your fabric choices and yes I love books and have way to many but just can’t get rid of my table top decorating books
thanks
Thank you Kerryanne, they are the prettiest bookmarks. Lovely to send to a friend for any reason, with a small tag card saying, I’m thinking of you. So pretty and so easy to make.
Thanks Kerryanne, Great idea…easy and so fun. Will make a few to add to my Little Free Library.:0
These are so pretty and whimsical. I love your choice of patterns and colors Kerryanne. I am hosting a new link party Sweet Inspiration and would love for you to join us. It runs from Friday thru Tuesday.
Love your site and all of your ideas. I’m so into making creative self inspired items and gifts.
Love your bookmarks! I am trying to make my own but am unfamiliar with some of the terms you are using. When you say you use “cotton” are you referring to cotton thread? What is DMC cotton? I don’t understand “cm” measurements but I can google that. Can you clarify in detail steps 1 & 2? I a beginner sewer (obviously). Thanks so much
Hi Karen,
Yes, cotton refers to cotton thread. I live in Australia, so we use metric measurements – 2.5 cm = 1″
DMC cotton is a type of embroidery thread that is purchased in a skein for stitchery work. In my instructions (# 1 & 2), I provide a link to another tutorial that explains the process in more detail.
I hope this helps. Happy crafting!
Kerryanne, these are so cute! I’d love to give this a try as gifts for my book club girlfriends.