A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
It was created by Hideko Ishida of Japan. The blocks are from the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012, and the journal is her choice of how to display the blocks. I so love it...that I asked her permission to share some photos here on my blog. She graciously agreed...thank you Hideko!
I am just in awe as the professional look of the finished project...and now...yep, my muse wants one too!
But, she will have to wait...as there is way too much work going on in my house now. And my CQJP2013 plans are already underway...but, there will be CQJP2014 to consider!!
Perhaps I can satisfy Ms. Muse with that plan. Doesn't this journal just make you want to stitch!
Glorious! Just glorious!
I love the way the pages are sewn in to a felted spine, and the little eyelet lace at each edge...and the fringe trim to the front and back! Oh, and the little poems and sayings on the back of each page...ingenious! Such a treasure!
The Journal Cover is finished. It was pretty easy to do, but if I was to do another...I'd plan it so that the entire cover was one solid piece of linen...and just work the embroidery. I'm not a big fan of all the seams.So, if you want to do a book cover...here is how I'd suggest you consider approaching it.
This version is very much like the old school, fold over type..but is "tacked" in place so that it doesn't slip off. The fold is left open, since this is a journal...and not a "reading book". This way, I can insert a pencil and a ruler (if I had one that was 9" long...still looking for that size".
To begin, you will need to know the size (of course) of the book you want to cover. Measure the front/back height and width, then the width of the spine.Basically the cover is twice the height, plus seam allowance; and long enough to wrap under the front/back cover flaps at least four inches. You fold the fabric cover top to bottom, seam and turn that to the center horizontal placement...leaving the middle area open for turning. Then seam both ends closed. Turn, and stitch closed.
Optionally...for soft cover books like this one...insert pieces of cardboard (I save cereal boxes for this purpose) that are the size of the front/back, and the 4"wide desired flap by height of book. Insert the flap cardboards first...and seam across to hold them in place...then insert the front/back cardboard...and seam them in place. The spine area does not get any cardboard there. Leave the center seam open until you have done this cardboard inserting...then hand stitch it closed.)Here are some charts for those that like "visual instruction", and really who doesn't appreciate that!And the "formula" if you want to do this for a book that is not my "My Crazy Ideas Sketch Book" size.Here are the sizes of my journal:
Here's how to calculate the total size of the fabric piece you'll need to cover this journal...and just substitute your own (A through E) measurements in the formula to change it to fit your book.
And, here is a diagram of how the layout would actually look, considering the seam allowance as the formula has...
...before any of you math whiz folks write me...Yes, I know that "technically" the formula should have the half of height times two and the book height only once in the formula...instead of just multiplying the book height twice... but, why make things more complicated...when you get the same result?
Hugs!.
I'm working on a cover for My Crazy Ideas Sketchbook, and thought you might enjoy doing the same for a journal or sketchbook of yours.Here is the layout of the front cover that I'm using.
Trace the lines of the design (not the numbers) on to a piece of white muslin, linen, or other favorite fabric to create the embroidery. Resize the layout to fit your own journal size front.
Trace the embroidery design into the pattern area "1". Place the design a little below the "center"... (Mine is a little too high).You will use the drawn lines to help align fabric pieces one-at-a-time to complete the crazy style patchwork. Work in order of the numbered pieces (start with "1", then "2", etc). Note: these are not the "stitching lines", these are the "alignment lines".
I like to use left-over strips of fabric...but you can just cut several from a few fat quarters. Make them different heights, using the pattern guide to determine just high.
Align fabric edge with pencil line, pin, and stitch...
Fold up and Press, Fold Excess Back at Next Alignment Pencil Line,
Trim to match the next alignment line,
Repeat until you have worked all of the pieces, in order of their number.Place the front in your embroidery hoop, and complete your stitching.
.In Part 2...we'll work on some seam stitching, and create the journal cover.
Okay, admittedly...I don't need another TO-DO thing on my list! But, my muse woke me up with an idea...and she would not let me go back to sleep until I got up and wrote it down! What AM I going to do with her! She wants to do a padded journal, with samples of SRE, stitching, and cabochons. You know, to just have as a "coffee table book" of sorts. Well, it would be HUGE! But, she is not deterred...so, she says "do more than one!". Ha! This will be a long term committment I cry...but, "so what' is her reply! So, I'm off on another journey...creating a padded journel. Apparently, more than one!Why padded you might ask?...well, to raise up an area around the silk ribbon work, so it doesn't get "smushed" when the journal pages are closed.Might work this into a class..."Be quiet muse!". That would mean charting designs, writing lessons, taking step-by-step photos. Geez...she never sleeps!Here is the first SRE work...a long-stem rose...like the ones in my back yard.
