Sunday, November 15, 2020

Creating a stitcher's journal with paper and fabric

I'm back to making hand-stitched projects based on our latest workshop at TextileArtist.org's 2020 Stitch Club. This week's teacher is Ali Ferguson who showed us how to make a stitcher's sketchbook or journal with paper, and then to cover and embellish it with fabrics.

Making the Journal

This is the first workshop that I finished the project only a few days after it had started. I was hooked! I couldn't leave it. 

My new stitching journal

For my paper, I chose some printing paper (one with a gardening motif that I bought years ago, some brightly coloured paper, as well as the normal white stuff). I also found some lovely writing paper that I got as a gift when I was in my teens. It has my name (maiden back then) printed at the top. It was smaller than the other papers but I added them in separately and adjusted the holes. My book is made up of 4 signatures - those are the folded sheets of paper that make up each section. Once the signatures are complete, they are bound into the journal.

For the front cover, I used part of a panel that I created during Gregory T. Wilkins' workshop in July (see Related links below). For the back piece, I used fabric that I painted using a plastic fork and blue Colour Vie paint. The book spine tabs were printed using a print block that I made during a virtual workshop with Christine Chester, as part of the Birmingham Quilt Festival. I just coloured them using Sharpie markers and then sewed on some fun buttons.

Printing block made with
Häagen-Dazs sticks
Making marks with a plastic fork








The fun really started when I embellished the journal.

I started by using only batik fabrics, but then I got even more creative and took out all of those sheer scraps from making my last two sheer projects.

One the inside cover, I covered up the button stitches by gluing on some pieces from a cute scrapbooking sheet. I stitched a diagonal border on the opposite page and stitched the bottom of the page to the next one to create a pouch. I even attached an upside down label 😊.

Inside cover with a pouch for keepsakes

My journal has 58 pages, so I won't show you pictures of each one of them! All of the pages have some stitching on them, but I will show you my favourites.

I made this one this morning. I stitched the fish to the background fabric with a running stitch and then added some French knots. I practiced my "writing" skills based on Joanne Sharpe's The Art of Whimsical Lettering book. I haven't practiced this in a long while but I now have an excuse if I write in this book!

"So long, and thanks for all the fish" Douglas Adams quote
with stitched fish

The fish (above) and the purple batik and organza piece below are on the back of my personalized writing paper. You can see the printing flower paper on the other side.

Using batik and silk organza scraps. They are attached
using embroidery stitches

This is one of my favourite pages. I drew around an oak leaf from my neighbour's yard and then stitched it with this amazing yarn made from Tencel (some type of pulp fibre). The colours are amazing and it's made locally by Trail Head Yarns (see Related links). 


Oak leaf outline with stitching using Tencel yarn.

For one of the signatures, I used a piece of scrapbook paper instead of my personalized writing paper. It's just too cute!
Adding scrapbooking paper in one of the signatures.

My first embellishments were rather simple but as I got going, they became more layered and creative. 

Starting to get the hang of layered embellishments.

As I mentioned, I made the fish this morning as well as this one. I love adding the sheer fabrics. This one has lots of texture which may get flattened a bit when the journal is closed, but that's fine. 😊

Adding more stitching and using sheer fabrics

What I learned
  • In this journal, I want to experiment with stitched layers and then place the pieces in the journal. I would like to use more interesting embroidery stitches but this needs to be done separately and then attached to the journal. 
  • You may have noticed in the image above that the page is getting pretty crumpled. That's what happens when the paper is handled too much. I've figured out that the best way to add the stitching is to put the piece together first and then stitch it on or even better just tack it on with a few stitches.
  • I tried to do the button hole stitch on the paper but just couldn't hold the paper properly. 
  • In the end though, the crumpled paper won't show since I'll be filling this journal up with lots of pretty stitched pieces!
  • BTW, I've actually finished my Marks & Stitches piece - it's even framed! I'll write a post soon...
Related links
Linking parties

I will be linking up to all kinds of fun stitching and quilting link-ups. Let's see what's happening in Blog Land! Colour & Inspiration TuesdayPatchwork & QuiltsOff The Wall Friday, Beauties Pageant, Slow Sunday Stitching, Oh Scrap!Monday Making, Midweek Makers, TGIFF with Storied Quilts, Free Motion Mavericks with Muv, Needle & Thread Thursday, Put Your Foot Down, Finished or Not Finished Friday, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?

I'm also linking up to Meadow Mist Designs' Favorite Finish Monthly linkup as well as Sandra of mmm quilts' DrEAMi - if this isn't a squirrel, nothing is!

26 comments:

  1. Un super projet. Broderies, tissus, hmmm, c'est beau !!
    Amuses-toi bien !

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    1. Merci beaucoup Frédérique. Le projet continue pour une deuxième semaine. J'ai hâte de voir ce qu'elle va suggèrer. Bonne semaine.

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  2. What a cool idea to remember stitches! Your journal is extra special!

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    1. Thanks so much Terry. The stitching was for embellishment but I think that stitches for their own sake is perfect!

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  3. I can see why you were hooked with your journal and could not put it down. Wow! Each page you have showcased is filled with wonder and delight. Love the signatures' page and the leaf is truly lovely. You will spend many a a wonderful hour filling in the pages of your journal. Just think of all the memories you will record. Just sublime, Andree.

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    1. Thank you so much Kim. It really was great stitching it. I certainly won't be running out of things to do in the near future (but then don't we all have stacks of stuff to stitch and play with?) I just started making a few more, but these will only have a little bit of stitching...it will be for their new owners to play with.

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  4. This is wonderful. I can imagine this could get very addictive and it's a great opportunity to try out lots of new ideas and effects.

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    1. Hi Janine, you are perfectly right! It's been so much fun that I'm making a few more :-) cause who has enough to do? Take care.

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  5. How interesting! Your textile adventures are fabulous, and this journal will be a great treasure for you use and lok back on.

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    1. Thank you so much Dione. It's been quite an adventure but I may be coming to a quiet interval - I actually want to quilt again...I didn't think that would ever happen but I miss it! I hope that you're doing well. Take care.

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  6. What a neat idea. The pages look so interesting. Will you be making more or wait until you write in this one?

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    1. Hi Bonnie, I couldn't resist - I started making more! I'm really not very good at writing in journals so this one will to put my embellishment practice pieces in. I would like to put in more funny quotes and embellish them. I am making one to hold all of the stuff from the quilt and fibre shows that I've entered. The other two are for my daughter and a friend. Who knows, maybe someone will write in them!

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  7. Sigh... I keep dreaming of journals like this. SEW sweet with the fabrics and stitching included!!

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    1. Hi Joy, you are just going to have to make time to make one or two :-) It really wasn't that much work and so worth it! I'm making another one to keep my quilt and fibre show memorabilia in - I may as well since they are all over the place! Thanks for dropping by. Take care.

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  8. Oh my golly.....I just love this!! The book looks like so much fun! Did you take the free class that went with Joanne Sharpe's book? That was the first class I took of hers and that got me started on taking many, many more!

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    1. Hi Caryl, yes I did take her free class and own a few of her books. I was really into it once upon a time but that's something that can be picked up anytime - but it does require a lot of practice to get good. Not sure that I will ever spend that much time, but it is fun :-) Take care.

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  9. Very clever. Might have to re-think my quilting journal.

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    1. Thanks Allison - why not? There is no limit is there? Take care.

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  10. What a great and creative project! I bet your mind is just spinning now!

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    1. Thanks Alycia, it was loads of fun...so much so that I made 3 more! Two are gifts but the other one will hold all of the stuff from the quilt and fibre shows that I've participated in. I even used pieces of quilted fabric to make the front and back. It should be done soon - I'll share when they are all finished! Take care.

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  11. Hello Andrée,
    What a fun project - a scrapbook and stitch sampler rolled into one. The sheer fabrics are ideal. They look so pretty, and don't make the book too fat!
    I used to have a dress made from Tencel. It's a lovely fabric to wear. I'd forgotten all about it until I read about your thread.
    Thanks for linking up!
    Love, Muv

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    1. Thanks Muv, it was so much fun. I'm not sure that I would know if a garment was made of Tencel - it probably feels a lot like rayon I imagine. Incredible what they can make textiles from.
      I've really enjoyed making this one and my next one is truly a scrapbook for the quilting and fibre shows that's I've entered over the years. It would be great to put all of that "stuff" in one place. Take care Muv, Love Andree

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  12. This is a great gift idea and something I could probably get into. Please accept my apologies for not thanking you for linking up last week, I did share your journal on today's linky party. Thank you for linking up.

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    1. Hi Denise, I saw that today and went to leave a message but it doesn't seem to be working. I also discovered that I clicked on "moderation" for comments over 2 weeks old but I didn't know that I was supposed to ok them. I figured it out so all is well....so thanks for your comment and my lateness in replying also :-)

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