Tutorial: Bookmarks

Have you ever looked at your stash of fabric scraps and wondered why you were saving all of them? I know I have. I sometimes just cannot bear to part with a small, but lovely scrap. So when my sexy librarian friend informed me that this year's theme for the Library Summer Reading Program was "Be Creative" and that she was uninterested in purchasing generic plastic toys from Oriental Trading to give as kiddy prizes, we started brainstorming and came up with fabric bookmarks. All you need are two different coordinating pieces of fabric, some fusible web interfacing, a ribbon (optional), and thread. These bookmarks make great little gifts, either for kids or the members of your Top Secret Snooty Book Club. You can personalize them to your recipients, by choosing fabrics that cater to their interests. I made about 50 of them in two days for the Summer Reading Program, so be careful! They are addictive!!

Supplies:

Bookmark template

Two pieces of coordinating fabric

Fusible web interfacing

Coordinating piece of ribbon (optional)

Thread

Step One> Make your bookmark template. I used a free bookmark from the local independent bookseller as the outline and added about a 1/4" seam allowance. For the template itself, I chose sturdy paper from the recycle bin (manilla envelope). In the end, my template was 2-1/2" x 7-5/8".

Step Two> Iron your fabric.

Step Three> Using your template, cut one out of each piece of fabric and one out of the interfacing. I found that it works best using a rotary cutter and mat.

You should now have three pieces cut out:

Step Four> Fuse the interfacing (according to manufacturer's directions) to the wrong side of one of your fabric pieces. I generally used the piece that I consider the "back side" of the bookmark.

Step Five (Optional)> If you would like to have a ribbon at the top of your bookmark. Cut out a small piece of ribbon, about 3" in length. Fold it in half and baste it to one of the pieces of your bookmark.

Step Six> Pin the two bookmark pieces together, with right sides together.

Step Seven> Starting from the bottom of your bookmark, sew around the perimeter with about a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the bottom edge open for turning. I generally used the foot as a guide all the way around.

Step Eight> Clip corners and trim, if necessary.

Step Nine> Turn the bookmark right side out. Use a point turner on the corners.

Step Ten> Press the bookmark. Fold the bottom edge under 1/4" and press.

Step Eleven> Starting from the midpoint of the bottom of the bookmark, top stitch around the entire bookmark. I stitched as close to the edge as possible. Be careful at the corners; pivot and walk your needle as needed. Slightly backstitch when you return to your starting point.

Step Twelve> Trim loose threads.

And voila! You now have your very own bookmark!