Fabric, Felt and Fiber Make

 A challenge was given for the projects on the blog this month ... using fabric, felt and fibers for a make!  My final result is here and I incorporated all I could in various ways.

The book began with the combining the materials with Eileen Hull's new Book Box die, but without the box pieces.  I felt that i would combine various fabrics for each layer of the book.  I will explain the process and the material chosen for the book.  NOTE: All materials used were sewable materials. The use of my sewing machine was part of the making process.  A list will be provided at the end of the post with the products used. 

I collected pieces from a variety of materials, such as green canvas, cotton prints, seersucker fabric, organza remnants, felt scraps, cotton candlewicking thread and vintage tatted trim. 

In the explanation for creating this project I will not include some visual steps but will describe the  process the best I can. Photos will be included for the purpose of layout and assembling the book.  ***Always read through the post and the steps given.***

The base for the book covers and spine begins with using a heavyweight interfacing cut with the book box die. These three pieces will become the base of the book. NOTE: A heavy canvas or a product like Kraftex can also be used. These type  of materials will make the book flexible and not as stiff as matboard and sewable. NOTE: If a sewing machine is not available the book can be constructed with by glueing with the correct type of glues for fabric.

Layout of covers and spine

Inside view of the stitched covers and spine

Outside view of the covers and green canvas spine stiched together 

• Cut a spine piece from the green canvas. 
• Layer the green canvas on top of the spine cut from the heavy interfacing. As in the photos, place the the pieces together to form the two covers and spine. They are overlapped about 1/4" and sticthed together with a zig-zag stick using a sewing machine. 

To create the outside fabic cover panels:

A light colored cotton print was used as the background for the "faux" quilt squares that are part of the front and  back covers. 

• The fabric is fused with a interfacing before die-cutting the two front panels. NOTE: Use a sewable fusible interfacing. This is a must any sewing by machine is to be done.  ***Some fusible interfacing can gum up the sewing machine needles causing problems.***   
• Die cut two covers from the fused fabric. 
• Do note remove the paper backing from the interfacing at this point.

To create the "faux" quilt squares: 

• Use six cotton fabric prints for the squares. 
• Fuse each fabric with the same type of interfacing before cutting the squares. 
• Die-cut four squares from each of the six fabrics. (Total of 24 squares) NOTE: I used the second largest square shape from Tim Holtz Stacked tiles, squares thinlit die set.  
• Arrange the square shapes onto the front and back covers, over the fabric background.
•  Space them as evenly as possible before pressing them in place with an iron. NOTE: There is approximately a 1/4" space between the squares and arond the outer edges. ***This measurement can be adjusted to fit all 12 squares on each of the cover faces, to your liking.***   
• Remove the paper backing from the squares. 
• Press them onto the background fabric. 
• Repeat for other cover. 
• The paper backing can now be removed from the pieces.
• With iron, press these onto the front and back inner layers of the book.
• Stitch by machine, using a straight stitch, between the fused squares, both vertical and horizontal on both covers.

 

Layout of front view, but before stitching it in place. 

This is an optional step:

NOTE: For the front cover some simple hand-stitching was added to the squares. Using candlewicking thread, (embrodiery floss can also be used) a large X design was stitched from corner to corner. The center was tacked down with two small stitched next to the center of the X.  ***This step should be done before stitching the panel down onto the heavy layer of the interfacing. Carefully remove the backing paper after the X stitches are added and pressed onto the front cover. 

Adding inside lining fabric:

Inside fabric lining for covers and spine

• Fuse a second fabric for lining the inside covers and spine of the book, using a fusible interfacing.  
• Cut two covers and one spine from this fused fabric.  
• Remove the paper backing from all three pieces. 
• Fuse them into place on the inside of the book. Begin with the spine piece and then the two cover pieces. NOTE: If desired, after ironing the fabric in place, the three layers could be stitched by sewing machine  around the outer edges of the covers by straight stitch or small zig-zag stitch to hold in place.      

Making embellishments for cover decor:

• Cut leaves from green felt.
• Cut flower centers from gold card stock.
• Cut several layers from organza fabric with thinlits dies.
• Create flowers from the organza cuts and add paper flower center.

Adding pocket folder and notebooks:

• Make folder inserts from decorative card stock, with or without side pockets.
• Cut 12 x 12 paper in half, score down center, score and fold over both sides to form narrow side pockets.
• Use purchased notebooks and cover the outside covers with coordinating papers OR create you own writing notebooks with signature covers.

Materials 

Eileen Hull book box die

Sizzix Big Shot machine

Tim Holtz stacked tile squares, thinlits 

Eileen Hull leaves die

Sizzix flower dies, thinlits 

Sizzix flower center dies, thinlits

Cotton fabrics, variety colors and prints

Canvas fabric

Coordinating cotton fabric

Felt, green

Organza fabric, pink, blue

Gold card stock 

Heavy weight interfacing, sewable

Fusible and sewable interfacing

Off-white candlewicking thread 

Embroidery needle

White decorative flowers

Vintage tatting trim

Fabric glue

Sewing machine

Iron

Cording

Decorative papers

Small note books

Glue

Double-sided tape