Welcome Sew-Along Friends, we get to sew this week! Today I have the pattern pieces, cutting list and tutorial so you can finish your first Quiet Book page. I remember feeling a great sense of excitment, accomplishment and beginning when I finished my first page and I hope you will feel the same once we are finished this page. It’s all going to proceed a lot faster now and we’ll be finishing up a page every 2 or 3 weeks!
Here is my finished Sew-Along page, beside the original quiet book page for comparison. Ready? Let’s go!
You will need:
- 1 Small Safety Pin
- Thread: 4 colours that match your cloud, sun, house and grass fabric
- your normal sewing gear, including a ruler and iron
- House Page Pattern Pieces (click to download the pdf)
- Week 2 Shopping List items
- Download and print the pattern pieces pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important:Make sure scaling is set to ”None” or “Actual Size” when printing. Once you have printed the page, measure the 1″ test square (it should measure 1″ in both directions) to ensure the pattern pieces will be 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. The illustration below shows these edges.
- 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.
- Check your printed pattern page for a cutting list of all pieces you will need to complete this page.
- Pre-wash (if possible, a baby might be chewing on this book!) and iron your fabric well before beginning.
- If you are cutting the cloud shape out of fur it is easiest to trace the pattern piece on the back of your fur fabric and then cut it out. BE SURE to trace the pattern piece upside down so it is facing the correct direction when it is turned over.
- Cut your pieces according to the list on the pattern page. If possible, cut the pieces that require fusible web/interfacing together with the webbing/interfacing. This will make them exactly the same size and it will be easier to iron them later.
Applique the Sun: (24) Change your thread to match the sun fabric and use the same satin stitch to finish the rounded edge of the sun.
Applique the House: (25) Change your thread to match your house. Begin stitching around the house in the centre of the right side of the roof. (26) Continue stitching around the house shape until you reach the top of the door. Open the door to avoid stitching over it by accident. (27) Make sure to stitch as close as you can get to the door without stitching over it. (28) Raise your presser foot with the needle in the fabric and close the door. (29) Turn the corner as usual and continue stitching down the left side of the door and around the house until you reach where you started. (30) Brush the cloud fur (if using) to one side while stitching next to it. See the photo below for a finished view of the house applique.
Satin Stitch the Grass: (31) Change your thread to match the grass. Satin stitch along the edge between the grass and the sky. Stop and re-start stitching to avoid the areas where the house and the grass are already satin stitched together. You will need to open the door to stitch that area. (32) See the photo below for a finished view of the grass stitching.
Apply the Cap Snap: (33/34) Choose the location for your snap carefully and apply it following your manufacturer’s directions. I generally place mine on the far right, centred top to bottom so it looks like a door knob. Please take care when attaching the snap. If it is not attached properly and a child is chewing on the page it may become loose and create a choking hazard.
Finish with the Ribbon: (35) Use your small safety pin to attach the ribbon to your finished page. Since this is a long Sew-Along you would hate to lose it!
Finished! How do you feel?! Put your page somewhere safe or leave it out for a while where you can see it. I’m keeping all of my Quiet Book things together in one of my many handmade bags that doesn’t get nearly enough use. It’s really handy to have it all together.
See you again next week!
I am super excited about this. I’m actually a little sad that my kids are probably too old to enjoy this or I would be sewing along. My youngest is 2 1/2 already and I’m not sure if this would interest him. I don’t think I can really justify making one so I’ll silently pine away and watch the fabulousness happen.
Hi Eska, I’m glad you like it. Too bad about the kids. Maybe there is one page that you could make into a play pillow or something? Maybe when we get to the car page 🙂 I’m making mine to gift in the future ‘cuz my kids are too big as well.
I was just thinking what to do with some extra time I randomly had this afternoon when I saw this was up. I finished two pages in an hour and a half (and was even interrupted by getting two boys up from their naps and finding them snacks)! I didn’t know it would be so fast! I’m SEW (haha – remembered it this time!) excited that the sewing has started 🙂
Hooray Amy! I saw them. I’m so glad it was quick and the directions worked out well for you. I agree, it’s so much fun finally see progress!
HELP! I feel like I’m loosing my mind a little with the sky/house/door ratio. I cut 3 pieces 10×3″ for sky, but when sewn together with 1/4″ seams….this piece is larger than yours compared to my house…and the door is too big too. 🙁 Am I missing something? Thanks in advance for any advice 🙂
Hi BJ 🙂 The sky pieces should come out to the right size if you cut them at 2 3/4″ x 9″ each. If you don’t want to re-cut them, you can trim your sewn piece down to 7″ high x 9″ wide. The door should work if you cut it to 3 1/2″ high and 4″ wide, then fold it so it is 3 1/2″ high by 2″ wide (in step 2) before sewing. Hope that helps! Let me know if you need anything else. Sherri