Quiet Bookers Rejoice! We’re back on track and here is the latest Pattern & Tutorial. If you are new, you can find everything you need to know on the Sew-Along page.
This page is fun and helps with the ever-tricky task of learning how to fasten buttons. The little ladybug buttons both work so the flower can move around as desired. I drew on a few “flying” lines with a fabric marker to make everything more fun and add a bit of movement. This page is a tad feminine. If you need an idea for a boy, I have used rocket-ship fabric for the background in the past and attached the moon instead of a flower, the string was attached near the edge of the page.
Ready to go?
You will need:
- Background Fabric: 1 piece quilting cotton exactly 9″x9″ square
- Page Interfacing: 1 piece exactly 9″x9″ square, medium weight fusible interfacing (you will have this from your Week 1 shopping list)
- Flower: 10″ wide x 5″ high quilting cotton
- Embellishments: flowers, mushrooms, be creative!
- Bugs: 2 ladybug/bee/butterfly buttons
- Stems/Grass: extra-wide rick-rack, about 1/2 yard/metre
- Leaves: Green 3/8″ wide ribbon, less than 1/2 yard/metre
- Flower Pot/Dirt: 9″ wide by 4.5″ high brown scrap fabric
- Ribbon Tab: 3 1/2″ long for the side tab
- 5″ x 5″ piece of Fusible Fleece/Heavyweight interfacing for the flower
- Fabric marker (optional)
- Small Safety Pin
- Flower Pattern Piece -> Click here to download
Before we begin/Important Notes:
- Print out the pattern piece pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Do not select “fit to page” when printing, make sure you print at the original size. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is the correct size.
- 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.
- Fuse the 9″ square fusible onto your 9″ square background fabric.
Here We Go:
- Cut out your flower fabric. Also cut 1 piece of fusible fleece/interfacing and apply it to one flower piece. Place the two flower pieces wrong sides together and insert the rick-rack stem in between the layers at the “bottom” of the flower. Use a wide zig-zag or fancy stitch to sew the flower and stem together while finishing the edges. Double-stitch where the rick-rack is inserted to make sure it is securely attached.
- Make a buttonhole large enough for the bug button to fit through easily. When in doubt, make it larger, so it’s not as tricky for little fingers.
- Prep your flowerpot/dirt by folding it in half lengthwise and pressing it well.
- Lay your leaves/flowers and embellishments out on your background square. Cut several pieces about 4″ long from your 3/8″ ribbon to use as leaves. Also cut appropriate lengths of rick-rack for stems or grass as per your layout. The stems should be long enough to reach the bottom of your page. Make leaves by twisting and folding the ribbon so the ends meet. Place them under the stems with the ends hidden beneath the rick-rack. You can fray-check or (carefully) burn the ends so they do not fray. (Note: refer to the “Important Information” section to ensure your design is far enough away from all edges.)
- Mark the placement of the large flower stem, the flowerpot/dirt and the buttons, set them aside. Stitch all other pieces onto the background using matching thread and decorative stitches if desired. Ensure everything is securely stitched, just in case a child decides to chew on it!
- Stitch the leaves to your large flower stem carefully, leaving the bottom few inches free of stitching. These will be hidden underneath the flowerpot/dirt.
- Place the flowerpot/dirt over the bottom of your background. Stitch across the top with a tidy/decorative stitch. Stitch the sides and bottom with a basting stitch or use a glue stick to hold all of the raw edges in place.
- Attach your buttons very securely. I used embroidery floss and stitched each button at least 4 times, knotting each stitch individually. Again, small children might chew on this!
- Draw some “flying” lines with fabric marker near the bugs. Heat set them if possible, being careful not to melt the embellishments!
- 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.
See you next week with a new Quiet Book tutorial!
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