DIY Embroidered Needlebook
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The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
Do you make a habit of losing your embroidery needles? Correct that problem with a DIY needlebook that features your embroidery on the cover. Unlike a needle minder, a book like this keeps needles safely in place even when you stow your work for a while. Needle books also make excellent gifts for friends and family members who love to embroider or sew.
This easy project starts with a small piece of embroidery. You can make something new just for this or grab something you've already made. The embroidery on the cover of the example was made using appliqué.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Scissors
- Pins and/or sewing clips
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Thread
Materials
- Embroidered fabric
- Cotton fabric
- Thin batting
- Felt
- Button
- Doubled thread
- Embroidery floss
Instructions
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Stack the Pieces
Cut the embroidered fabric, cotton fabric, and batting into 4 1/2- x 6-inch rectangles. If necessary, adjust this size to accommodate your embroidery. Cut a 1- x 1 1/2-inch felt rectangle for the tab closure.
Layer the pieces as follows: batting, embroidery, felt rectangle, and cotton fabric on top with the right side of the fabric down. The small felt piece should be along the edge that will be the back of the needlebook, as shown, and centered from top to bottom.
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Sew Around the Sides
Pin or clip the sides with sewing clips. Sew around the rectangle, leaving an opening along the lower edge. Be sure to back stitch when you start and stop. Trim the corners to reduce bulk, but be careful so you don't clip the stitching.
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Turn the Needle Book and Sew the Opening
Turn the needlebook right side out and poke the corners into shape (a chopstick or the end of a small paintbrush work well for this). Sew the opening closed with ladder stitch, using a doubled thread and a regular sewing needle. To give the cover of the needlebook a finished look, stitch around the edge with running stitch. Use three strands of floss and a coordinating floss color.
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Stitch the Pages in Place
Cut two 3 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch felt rectangles for the pages of the book. If you adjusted the size of the needlebook, modify these accordingly. Fold the pages in half and crease to mark the center. Fold the cover in half and crease the outside to mark the center of that side. Pin or clip the pages in place, then sew down the center spine with a double running stitch. Use three strands of embroidery floss.
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Stitch the Button and Finish the Details
Fold the book in half and wrap the felt tab to the front. Use the end of the tab as a guide for the placement of the button. Sew the button to the front of the book. Cut a slit in the felt tab for a buttonhole. Be careful not to cut too much or the hole will be too large for the button.