by Sherri Sylvester | May 23, 2014
Hello Quiet Bookers! Today’s post is a planning ahead post. Since we are going to need a pretty specific fabric for the puzzle page in a month or so I thought it would be good to plan ahead and let you know now.
When I made this page I used Sheri Berry Designs fabric. The print is “Child’s Play with Kate & Nate”, Pattern 6682. I got the flannel version from my local quilt shop. It repeats every 12 or so inches. If you want to be safe, you will need 2 of each pattern because they are next to each other in the print and you need to cut matching notches into the sides of each. I would recommend a 1/2 metre – then you can have extra to make a great game of memory for your kids when they get older!
The print comes in very boy blue and very girl pink, so if you are making a unisex book it might be helpful to find another print you could use. Something with a long animal or other pattern that can be matched up. Each puzzle piece is 2″ tall x 2 3/4 – 3″ wide. So you will need a print that is 5 or 6″ long so it goes across both puzzle pieces. I checked in my stash and actually found it quite difficult to come up with something suitable. So check your local shops and bring your ruler!
Of course you don’t have to buy anything specific if there is a perfect piece in your stash. See you next week to work on another page!
by Sherri Sylvester | May 8, 2014
This is week 10! Hooray! This week we cover how to make the Rainbow of Colours page. Before you start, get the materials list of items for this page ready. You can also find out more information about this page in the week 9 post. (If you are just starting find all the information you need on this Sew-Along page.)
You will also need:
- small safety pin
- matching thread
- your normal sewing gear, including a ruler and iron
Before we begin/Important Notes:
- When you are sewing this book it is good to remember that some of the edges will be covered after the book is completed and sewn together. 1/2″ on the top edge of your page and 3/4″ on each side edge will not show in the final project.
- Remember to use your iron liberally when you are sewing this book. It is going to be a work of art when you are done! Since it is thick and some of the pages will not be iron-able once you are finished with them it is advisable to take all of the care you can to remove wrinkles so they are not accidentally permanent in your final book.
Here We Go:
- Cut 1 3/4″ high scrap strips of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple. I used 2 or 3 fabrics per colour.
- Cut 1 each of 1 1/4″ high strips of the white and gray for the top and bottom of the page.
- Piece each colour together into 9″+ long strips adding ribbons as desired with a 1/4″ seam allowance. I made my strips too long and then trimmed them later. Press all seam allowances open to reduce bulk in the final page.
- To add ribbons to each strip: fold the ribbon pieces in half, pin the short lengths between the fabric, stitch.
- Lay all of your strips out in order. Lay vertical ribbons where you’d like them. Place other embellishments in place so you know where they will go.
- Working one strip at a time, pin and stitch the strips together with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Double stitch over ribbons to make sure they stay in place. Press seam allowances open as you go. (Remove embellishments that are not held in by the seam allowance, you will add these later.)
- Give the back of the page a good press to ensure all seam allowances are flat. If you press from the front, use a press cloth and check your iron temperature to ensure you do not melt any of the ribbon.
- Fuse the medium weight fusible interfacing to the back of your page. Again, be careful with the iron temperature. Square up and trim your page to 9″x9″. Pin any unattached embellishments back in their places. (Now is also a good time to add the colour names in permanent fabric marker – if desired.)
- Stitch the embellishments on. I used a bar tack in the centre of the bow and I stitched a circle around the crocheted flower’s centre.
- Fold the 3 1/2″ matching ribbon tab in half and use the small safety pin to attach it to your page so it does not get lost.
All done the 4th page! Easy peasy lemon squeezy – yes, I have been hanging out a lot with my 1st grader lately! I’ll be back with the next tutorial soon! (P.S. Share your page using these ideas!)
** As usual: This tutorial is for personal or charitable use only. Please do not sell items made with the Quiet Book Sew Along posts. If you wish to sell these please contact sherri@threadridinghood.com for information on how to purchase a license. Thank you!
by Sherri Sylvester | May 5, 2014
I had the pleasure of pattern testing the Bohemian Babydoll Dress and Top (affiliate link*) a few weeks ago. It was right in the middle of making Easter Dresses and a super busy weekend, but it was an easy sew – and went together really quickly thank goodness! We did a double photo shoot of the Easter dresses and this dress in the same afternoon, even switching locations, super bloggy-like. (ha!)
I had never used an Elegance & Elephants pattern before, but had happened to buy the very popular Spring Showers Jacket pattern just a few days before I volunteered to pattern test. I found Heidi’s instructions very clear, and the photos are easy to understand as well. This is especially nice because sometimes I prefer illustrations for their clarity, not a problem here!
This pattern creates a really nice looking summer top. I really like the high/low hem and that the bottom of the bodice is high in the front and low in the back as well. It makes a really fun line if you use contrasting fabrics. (You can see this in the first photo). The sewing is simple as well because there are no closures to deal with! And of course my girls are ecstatic about the ruffled sleeves (though it looks cute without them as well, they are optional). I know something is good if my oldest wears it again directly after it has come out of the wash – so great when that happens!
I would be remiss not to talk about the way this pattern is setup for printing. When you open the pdf there is the option to use bookmarks on the side to choose the size pattern you would like, so you don’t end up printing more pages than you need. It works really well – I was super impressed!
We ended up cutting into some fabric I’d been saving since last year again. I say we, because my daughter chose this one herself. She’s very drawn to florals at the moment, which is nice because they are trendy again! I originally bought the Shelburne Falls by Denyse Schmidt (in Maple) July of last year when I visited Needlework for the first time. It was destined for some couch cushions, but that was way-laid when I thought they might look too “quilty”. Not so matchy for my (aiming for) mid-century modern vintage-esque living room. The bottom of the dress is made from a random print I found last year. It matches well and I got to de-stash some more – hurray! The girls are really in a “twins are fun” mode so I might just make up another one in the same prints so they can enjoy their new phase for as long as it lasts.
If you want to get the pattern you can find it here: Bohemian Babydoll Dress and Top (affiliate link*). Thanks!
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* This post contains affiliate links, which means that I receive financial compensation for any sales made through these links.
by Sherri Sylvester | May 1, 2014
Wow – we are going on 1/3 of the book finished! Today we start the 4th page. This post is going to be short and sweet – since you don’t need any pattern pieces or special sizing to collect your fabric for this one. It’s a scrap buster for sure and would look cute as a pillow as well! (If you are just starting find all the information you need on this Sew-Along page.)
I had a lot of fun making this page and finding all of the cute scraps I could fussy-cut. It was pretty quick to stitch up and I’ll include how to do that in the next tutorial. The last time I made this page I focused on solids and wrote the name of each colour on the page. I decided not to do that this time because I wasn’t particularly happy with the quality of the writing and can’t figure out how to do it in a more professional way this time around. (Ideas are welcome!) Of course, if you’d like to include the writing you can. If you choose solid colours for the stripes the writing will stand out better. You will also need a set of permanent fabric markers.
You will need:
- Fabric scraps: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, gray/black – each at least 1 3/4″ wide
- Ribbons/Flowers/Embellishments: in the same colours as the fabrics (Remember, these might get chewed on! Choose safe items for small children/babies – ex: no buttons!)
- Ribbon: 3 1/2″ long for the side tab
- Page Interfacing: 1 piece exactly 9″x9″ square, medium weight fusible interfacing (you will have this from your Week 1 shopping list)
That’s it – really! Like I said, not much to do until next week. See you then!
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 27, 2014
Alright. We are finishing up the Photo Album page tutorials with the second more feminine page option. If you’d like you can use the Photo Album unisex option as well. I love this page – it looks so cute with the little purse handle. I hope you like it too! Before you start, get the shopping list of Photo Album items for this page ready. (If you are just starting out and want more information, check out the Sew Along page.)
You will also need:
- small safety pin & regular safety pin (for turning)
- matching thread
- glue stick or basting spray
- washi tape or teflon foot for your machine (used to sew the vinyl)
- your normal sewing gear, including a ruler, iron and removable fabric marker
Before we begin/Important Notes:
- When you are sewing this book it is good to remember that some of the edges will be covered after the book is completed and sewn together. 1/2″ on the top edge of your page and 3/4″ on each side edge will not show in the final project.
- Remember to use your iron liberally when you are sewing this book. It is going to be a work of art when you are done! Since it is thick and some of the pages will not be iron-able once you are finished with them it is advisable to take all of the care you can to remove wrinkles so they are not accidentally permanent in your final book.
Here We Go:
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 13, 2014
Oh, I’m so behind this week with everything due to my wanting to sew for Kids Clothes Week last week – and I don’t even have much to show for it yet! I think I will be posting some of what I made this week. Today, though, I am posting the tutorial for the first option of two Mini Photo Album pages. Before you begin, get the shopping list for these photo albums and find all of your materials.
You Will Need:
- small safety pin
- matching thread
- glue stick or basting spray
- washi tape or teflon foot for your machine (used to sew the vinyl)
- your normal sewing gear, including a ruler, iron and removable fabric marker
Before we begin/Important Notes:
- When you are sewing this book it is good to remember that some of the edges will be covered after the book is completed and sewn together. 1/2″ on the top edge of your page and 3/4″ on each side edge will not show in the final project.
- Remember to use your iron liberally when you are sewing this book. It is going to be a work of art when you are done! Since it is thick and some of the pages will not be iron-able once you are finished with them it is advisable to take all of the care you can to remove wrinkles so they are not accidentally permanent in your final book.
Here We Go:
- Background Prep: (skip this step if you are using a one piece background) (a) Lay your 3 background pieces together in the order you would like. Place the top piece on top of the middle piece right sides together. Stitch across the top of these pieces with a 1/4″ seam. Iron the seam open. Place the bottom piece right sides together with the middle piece. Stitch across the bottom of these pieces with a 1/4″ seam. Iron your seam open. See photo below for a front and back view of your finished sky. (b) Press the 9″x9″ piece of medium fusible interfacing onto the back of your finished background following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Make the Pocket: (a) Iron the pocket interfacing onto the back of your outer pocket. Press the top of each pocket under by 1/4″. Pin pocket outer and lining right sides together. (b) Stitch around the sides and bottom of the pocket with a 1/4″ seam allowance, leave the top open. Clip the corners and turn the pocket right side out, push out the corners neatly and press. (c) Mark and stitch your top-stitching. Pin and stitch along the top of the pocket to close the opening. (d) Pin the pocket to the centre of the background and top-stitch the sides and bottom edges of the pocket. Set your pocket aside.
- Finish the Pocket: (a) Pin your 8″ ribbon 2 1/4″ up from the bottom of the page. Make sure it is centred left-to-right. (b) Stitch the ribbon across the bottom. I used a zig-zag stitch. (c) Pin the pocket over the ribbon in the centre of the page background. (d) Stitch the pocket to the background. Stitch close to each side and bottom edge, leaving the top open.
- Album Cover: (a) Apply interfacing to the wrong side of the album outer and lining. (b) Pin outer and lining right sides together. Mark a 2″ opening on one short end. (The opening is between the 2 pins on the right short side in the photo.) (c) Stitch around the album cover with a 1/4″ seam allowance beginning and ending at your opening marks. Clip all corners. (d) Iron down 1/4″ on each side the end with the opening. (e) Glue or use basting spray to place your batting inside of the stitching lines on either end of the album cover. You are placing these on the wrong side of the fabric and interfacing. (f) Turn your cover through the opening, keeping the batting in place. Push out the corners and press the outer flat. Match up the opening and top-stitch around the edge of the cover, this will also close the opening. Stitch to quilt as desired.
- Vinyl Pages: (a) Fold each piece of vinyl’s short ends so they almost meet – making the total height of the vinyl piece 3″. Keep them folded by using a piece of masking or washi tape. Do not pin through them because pins will leave a permanent hole in the vinyl. (b) Stitch along the sides of the pocket. The fold is at the bottom, leave the opening at the top un-sewn – this is where you will place your photos. TIP: When stitching over vinyl, it tends to stick to your presser foot making it almost impossible to sew properly. You can use a teflon foot to help the machine to slide over the vinyl. Or you can place a piece of washi tape on the bottom of your presser foot. (c) Mark the centre of your album cover. Line up all photo pages and pin them to the album centre line at the top as close as you can to the to edge of the vinyl. These holes will be permanent. The fold of the vinyl page will almost line up with the outer edge of the album cover.
- Finish the Album: (a) Fold over aprox. 1/4″ at the end of your ribbon. This can be pinned or adhered with a glue stick. (b) Fold your album in half, like a book, with the pages pinned inside. (The two pins sticking out of each side in the photo are holding the vinyl pages.) (c) Fold the ribbon over the centre edge of the album. You should have aprox. 1/2″ on each side of the cover’s fold. (d) Stitch through the cover, aprox. 3/8″ from the folded edge. Stitch between the seam and the folded edge with a zig-zag stitch to add extra-strength. Make sure the stitching has gone through both sides of the ribbon at the fold and that all vinyl pages are secure.
- Attach the ribbon tag to the side of your page with a safety pin for safe keeping. Place your photos in the vinyl pockets and you are finished!
You have just finished your third page! Post it on
Flickr so we can see it – or check
this page for more quiet book sharing ideas – Pretty please? I’d love to see what you are making!
