100 Days on Pins and Needles

Felted Wool Needlebook Tutorial

Day 2

As I researched options to feature I wanted to keep the tutorials simple for a beginner but not so simple that the project would be boring or look boring. Today I am going to show you my version of a needle book that I found on line. You know how sometimes you see a pattern that is simple to make and useful in its own right but you just have to add your own spin to it?  Well this is how I felt about this next pattern so I made a few alterations and here is what I came up with.  The included link actually gives you instructions on how to felt your own wool if you should decide to get adventurous, I used felted wool I had purchased at the fabric store.

 http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/fallen-leaves-needle-case_1.html

Materials I used for my project:

two 6 X 5 inch rectangles of felted wool

4 1/2 X 5 1/2 inch rectangle of batting (you can use cotton or polyester batting)

one piece 2 1/2 X 1 1/2 inch felt rectangle

one piece 2 X 1 inch felt rectangle

2 die cut daisies and a coordinating button

Embroidery floss

Sewing machine or you can do all your stitching by hand if you choose.

Pinking shears or rotary cutter with pinking blade (I used a rotary cutter with a pinking blade)

1.  Layer your 6 X 5" rectangles and trim around the edges using your pinking blade or shears.  Just cut enough off the edges to give it a nice finish.

2.  Trim the small rectangles with your pinking blade or shears and position the small rectangles (book pages) on the inside of the folded wool rectangle as shown in the picture.  Sew down the rectangles using your sewing machine or hand stitch with a running stitch along the top edge of the rectangle.  I only added these to one side of the book but you could do 4 sections with 2 on each side.

3.  The pattern calls for cutting out a leaf pattern but you could do whatever design you like. If you are doing the leaf pattern follow the directions in the link.  I did a small die cut flower shape with a button center stitched down by hand.  I centered it on one side of the outside cover and stitched it down with the button center.

4.  Layer your front cover, your batting and then your inside cover and stitch around the edges by hand or with your sewing machine. Be careful not to catch your applique design on the front as you stitch around the edges.

5.  Fold in half and press to mark center fold.  Using your sewing machine make a stitching line along the fold line.  If you like you could just do it by hand and sew a running stitch along the fold.

  

6.  Since I added the batting and a second layer of wool lining the needlebook really did need something to keep it closed.  I took some embroidery floss, using all six strands, sewed it to the back cover of the book knotting it in place to secure and leaving approximately a 4 inch strand.

7.  Close your book and take the strand of embroidery floss and wrap around the button in the center of the flower to secure it closed.

This was a quick project to put together and also makes a great addition to any sewing kit.  They are easy enough to put together to give as gifts to all your quilting or sewing friends

I hope that you all find this project to be fun and can find other creative ways to embellish your covers.  Just imagine doing an embroidered design on the front or personalize it with machine embroidery to make a special gift to give or just keep for yourself.

If you drop in please leave a comment and let me know what you think of my tutorials.  I always enjoy hearing from my readers.