Friday, August 28, 2020

Doodle Stitching a Fabric Scrapbook

 

Have you been following our virtual book tour this week? There have been so many fun posts! 

Be sure to check them all out, at each stop you can enter to WIN a free digital copy Doodle Stitching Embroidery Art! Check the end of this post for the complete link list and how to enter here today to win. Good Luck!


I want to share one of my favorite projects from the book, this Fabric Scrapbook! 
There are several pages to my scrapbook and there wasn't room to share photos of all of them in the book, so I'm giving you an exclusive look at those extras here today! 

Are you like me and save all types of fabric scraps, trims and leftovers from other craft projects, not really knowing where you’ll use them? I have a large bag full of too-small pieces of favorite fabrics, ribbons and trims that I just couldn’t bear to part with. I also save scraps of embroidery floss but that’ s for another project (also in this book!)

You can use them all to create a one-of-a-kind and sentimental scrapbook by collecting and collaging all of your favorite bits with hand embroidery.



1. Decide how many pages your book will have. I made my pages 6 × 8–inch (15.2 × 20.3 cm) panels. You will make each page by sewing a front and back panel together, so, for example, if you want a book with a front and back cover and two inside pages, you’ll need 8 panels. Combine your fabrics in any way you want, like you’re making a collage. You can begin with one 6 × 8–inch (15.2 × 20.3 cm) fabric piece and sew other scraps onto it, or piece scraps together, patchwork style. You can use a sewing machine for this step, if you find it easier, or sew your panels by hand. (I really love hand sewing, it feels so calming and meditative!)


2. Stack the pairs of panels back-to-back in your preferred order. Pin them all together. Using a sewing machine or Blanket Stitch, stitch together the left side of all of the panels, creating a book. Leave the right-side edges loose until you've finished embroidering and embellishing.


3. Embellish your panels however you wish. There’s no end to the collage techniques, embroidery, patchwork, fabric painting, and decorating you can use! Have fun and take your time. This doesn’t have to be a fast project by any means, keep adding new bits and pieces until you feel like your pages are complete.




4. When all of your panels are completed, pin and sew each pair together back-to-back around the edges to finish your book. You can sew the edges together using the Running Stitch, Whip Stitch, or Blanket Stitch . Use any number of threads you like, depending on whether you want a thick or thin embroidered edge. I used different stitches for each page of my scrapbook.


This is a very tactile project, it's soothing to work on, and also to handle and flip through when it's finished. I hope you'll try stitching a Fabric Scrapbook of your own! 


Here is the Virtual Book Tour schedule:

Aug 24 

C&T 

https://www.ctpub.com/blog/


MrXStitch   

https://www.instagram.com/mrxstitch/

(and a lovely Q&A at mrxstitch.com)


Aug 25  

Wild Olive  

http://wildolive.blogspot.com


Cozy Blue Handmade

https://www.instagram.com/cozyblue/


Aimee Ray, Instagram (Spoonflower sponsored)

http://www.instagram.com/aimee_littledear


Aug 26 

Benzie Design 

https://www.benziedesign.com/blogs/tutorials


Jessica Long 

https://www.instagram.com/jessicalongembroidery/


Aug 27 

Snuggly Monkey 

https://www.snugglymonkey.com/blogs/news


Aug 28 

Carina’s Craft Blog 

https://www.carinascraftblog.com


Aimee Ray 

http://littledeartracks.blogspot.com



Also, be sure to visit the C&T blog where I've written a post about the story behind the book's cover art! So many ideas and fun inspiration have gone into this book, I know you'll love it.

To enter to win your e-book, just leave me a comment below! I'd love to know if you keep lots of scraps and what else you do with them. I'll pick a winner next Wednesday, Sept. 2. Good Luck!

xo aimee

19 comments:

  1. I am inspired to make a fabric journal - one for myself and my daughter! thank you! I keep all my quilting/sewing/stitching scraps... I make pincushions, frames, ornaments and little zipper bags - I love using them up! Have a great day and congrats on your new book!

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  2. I keep all of my scraps that are bigger than an inch square (and because I'm neurotic about organization they're all sorted, by color, into storage bins). I use mine often on all kinds of projects. Congratulations on your book & thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
    Blessings,
    Aubrey Harns
    aharns@cox.net

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  3. I keep fabric, glitter and felt scraps! I use them for Jewellery, brooches, ornaments and for small details in bigger projects! When it comes to crafting, I rarely throw anything away!

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  4. Hi!!! I love to keep the scraps and I hadn’t thought about to make a fabric scrapbook! How an amazing idea!! Can’t wait do start mine. Kisses from Brasil! I love you 💕

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  5. Wow what a beautiful project! I have just recently gotten into embroidery and have found your stitch samplers incredibly helpful in getting more practice and refining my skills. Can't wait pick up a copy of this book :)

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  6. This is a stunning project. I keep all of my scraps, no matter how small, I use them to make ornaments, use them in tiny quilt blocks and anything else I can come up with. I cannot wait to see this book!

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  7. I love this project! What a great idea, and I certainly have a wide range of materials to choose from. Your work is beautiful - thank you for sharing so much inspiration!

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  8. I’d love to make a quilt someday with all my random scraps. I can’t wait for this book!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your directions for a fabric journal. I will definitely do that. So beautiful!

    Thank you also for the opportunity to win this book. I have made mostly scrap quilts - my most recent blog post shows you how I use little snippets of fabric. I have also made a tiny fabric book that fits in a candy tin. It was fun and I plan to make more - I eat candy faster than I make the books!

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  10. This looks like a great way to use up bits and bobs, and creative, too! I'm excited to see what else your new book has.

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  11. What a great idea for scraps. I have sooo many scraps, which I use mostly for collage style quilts. Good luck with your new book! - Barbara H.

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  12. This reminds me of the scrap journaling that I see alot of lately with pieces of paper and stickers. Could make a needle book like this. I've enjoyed this tour and look forward to getting a copy of the book... one way or the other ��

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  13. I like to hang onto fabric scraps. It is always satisfying to reach into a container of scraps and find one just right for a little project. A fabric scrapbook is a great idea. Congratulations on your new book.

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  14. I like the projects in the blog posts and I would love to see your book!

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  15. Waste not: want not alway Can find a use for scraps & makes life interesting. I love your embroidery & am a huge fan 🙌🏻

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  16. Thank you for sharing your beautiful projects. I'm just getting into embroidery so I don't really have any scraps yet but I would love to incorporate them into some embroidery someday.

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  17. I do have a “small” problem with saving scraps and never getting around to using them, so I love this idea. I cannot wait to add a new Aimee book to my collection!

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  18. This book looks lovely! I have lots of scraps of fabric. We have just moved into our first home so am looking to make lots of decorations for it!

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  19. I keep some scraps, but I give most away. I don't have a good system for sorting and storing, so giving away seems easier than keeping!

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Thanks for your comments! I love hearing from you! :)