Today it’s all about orange and who better to have over to celebrate orange than Katy from No Big Dill!
If you know Katy, which you likely do, she is a lover of all things orange. Her whole craft room reflects that beautifully. Katy is a gorgeous mother of six children all as lovely as she. She is incredibly adept at sewing impeccable, tasteful, detail oriented garments. I can’t wait to show you the dress she made for Natalie (I’m waiting for her to grow into it, she’s almost there).
She’s the author of the popular blogger sewing series: Once Upon A Thread. And her blog is simply a joy to read. I love the way she thinks. Even if her post is about sewing a swim suit, it is still thought provoking, uplifting, and more than just about sewing. Almost every post is a well of wisdom that has me pondering days later.
And today her post is no different. Beautiful, wise, impeccable.
Here’s Katy…
Here’s Katy…
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This is such a scrumptious series, isn’t it?! I color coordinate almost everything in my house, so this is just right up my alley. I was so pleased when Delia invited me to participate this year (I was over with KOJO last time…orange again, of course!)
I know this world is quickly becoming everything virtual and digital. And I am desperately trying not to get left behind. While there are plenty of things that can be substituted, some can never fully, truly, honestly be replaced. Like? Real mail, to tear open and hold a lovingly sent parcel, or a real cookbook to snuggle on the couch to flip through, or an actual pen to notebook writing or sketching. This easy tutorial to make a book/notebook cover pretty much glorifies the tactile. With a bit of embroidery, perhaps a smattering of beads, a couple of buttons, you might enjoy running your fingers over your book just as much as reading it!
I got this idea from my mom who makes scripture covers for the grandchildren when they turn 8 and are officially baptized. People always want to grab them and inspect all the delightful details she includes, inside and out. This is a perfect project for the summer to take with you (it’s nice and small, just tuck it in your purse!) as you sit during swim lessons or go to the park, working on it just a few minutes at a time. I always have a hard time finishing one because I want to keep adding details.
One of my favorite parts is gathering supplies. I don’t ever use every single thing I pull out, but it’s fun to see them all waiting to be turned into something beautiful. When picking your pallet, consider going monotone, which highlights texture. Contrasting colors (I have an example later on) are also fun, but less subtle.
Getting started. You will need some quality wool felt (you might as well start with quality if you’re going to put so much work into it!), the amount will depend on the size of book/notebook you’re covering. You will also need a bit more (2/3 of the size of the cover) for the inside sleeves. Wrap your book in the felt and cut it 1/4″ bigger all the way around.
Start decorating! I didn’t draw any plans or patterns. That might scare you a bit, but once you get going, you’ll find it freeing to just stitch to your whim! It won’t be perfect. But it will be personal. If it’s a bit lopsided, that’s okay. If all your stitches aren’t the exact same length, that’s okay, too. Just start. If you truly can’t stand something, then go ahead and take it out and try something else, but it’s fun to just follow your needle.
You can stitch a favorite quote, family motto, scripture, or just a name. Or just fill it with textures of different stitches. Practice that new stitch you’ve been meaning to learn. Turn it at an angle, or make it curvy. Find a button from your grandmother’s button jar you inherited that was just waiting for such a project.
Once you think you’re satisfied with the cover, attach the inside sleeves, cutting two pieces of felt that are a third of the size of the cover. Attach with a blanket stitch, satin stitch or just a simple running stitch 1/4″ into the seam. Don’t go any bigger or your book won’t fit!
But don’t think the fun is over just yet! It’s hard to resist adding some bookmarks. I used some irregular silk embroidery thread and attached a glass bobble on the end. You could also just use some narrow ribbon, sew it to the top of the book cover spine.
You could also add a closure. Sometimes I will use a small hair rubber band, sewn between the sleeve and the cover. On this one I just added more embroidery floss to wrap around a button on the other side.
I kept the back pretty simple: LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
And you can add your logo and a tiny little surprise of color, too!
It’s fun to have little dangling bobbles as you carry your new little treasure.
And if you’re wondering how it would look with contrasting colors…
Equally delightful!
And if it’s a gift, you can add a little note on the inside:
Thanks for having me, Delia!
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It’s my pleasure Katy!
What a delightful project…it’s is a work of art.
Thank you for coloring our summer!
Don’t forget to say hi to the girls at Kojodesigns. They have some the girls from Lolly Jane over sharing this cute Mason jar vase project!
Okay…love the smattering of beads. That the turquoise and orange combo. The colors pop!
Amazing! I love it!
What a stunning project! Have been following both you and Katy for over a year and love you ladies and your blogs!
This is beautiful!! And I spent minutes just staring at her header too, so many beautiful little pieces. Great idea.
Thanks for all the kind words! And thank you for having me, Delia 🙂
Just so beautiful! Actually thought it would be a brighter orange than this! Now I need to go and buy felt, and a notebook and beads and thread! How thick/heavyweight is your felt? I have some wool felt, but it’s pretty thin.
This is so gorgeous! Impeccable as always, just as Delia described.
thingsforboys–You’re right. This is the 3mm felt, but I would imagine if you did a double layer of something thinner that might be just fine. I’m working on another one that is just the regular thickness, and it is also working. I may back it with some regular fabric to prevent stretching, but the wool is pretty durable.
Anneliese–thank you 🙂
WOW! This is so very beautiful! Love, love the embroidery. Katy is so talented.
Wow Katy, this is so so beautiful!
That's really great! I'm fond of juicy colors and bright seed beads!
Love your book cover