Christie C. “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are” ― Mason Cooley
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Inspiration for Fabric Bookmarks
I love to read, and sometimes a simple luxury such as having a beautiful bookmark keeps me motivated to continue reading my book. After joining a few book clubs this year, I was inspired to create some gorgeous bookmarks for me and the club members using scrap fabric and whatever materials I had on hand. It turns out, bookmarks are a simple yet fun project that is beginner friendly and ADHD friendly because it is simple to make, exciting to use, and can be accomplished in under an hour. It is also an excellent stash busting project. I got carried away and made over forty of these! However, they are fun, and I like to swap the bookmarks out depending on what book I am reading.
Design Choice
You can make these bookmarks as simply or as complicated as you would like. The simple pattern involves cutting a rectangle out of scrap fabric, folding the seams inward, and sewing the seams closed using a straight stitch or embroidery stitch. If machine sewing isn’t for you, the back stitch, blanket stitch, or whip stitch make for easy alternatives for sewing up the seams of the bookmark. I took the opportunity to play around with some of the lesser used settings on my sewing machine, and use up some embroidery thread that had been sitting around in my stash for over a year. If you are a talented embroiderer, you can embroider the seams together, creating a unique, one of a kind bookmark.
If simplicity is not your jam, you can also spice up your bookmark by adding ribbons, tassels, beads, and charms that hang delicately over the pages when the book is closed. It is addicting finding beautiful beads, charms, and buttons, and experimenting with different ways they can be incorporated into your bookmark. If you can, try not to purchase anything new. See what you can create with found materials. However, I won’t stop you if you decide to seek out supplies that you don’t have.
These bookmarks can be mass produced; simply cut multiple rectangles of the same size, and sew as many bookmarks as you like. They make excellent gifts for avid readers, so I highly recommend pairing them with a good read.
Project Specifications
Estimated Time: 30 to 60 Minutes
Finished Dimensions: 8″ x 2.25
Bookmark Materials
Any scrap woven fabric
8.5″ x 5″ or 21.5 x 12.75 centimeters.
Optional: beads, buttons or charms
Used to decorate tassels and ribbons.
All-purpose thread and/or embroidery thread
Used to decoratively sew the seams together.
Optional: ribbons or tassels
12″ or 30 cm long.
Instructions
Step One: Cut out the rectangular shape from the scrap fabric
Cut out a rectangle of fabric that is 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) in length and 5 inches (12.75 cm) in width.
Step Two: Iron the shape flat
Iron the rectangle flat to remove wrinkles.
Step Three: Fold the edges 1/4 inch or just 1 cm over
Fold the edges 1/4 inch or just 1 cm over and iron them flat.
Step Four: Fold the rectangle
Fold the rectangle in half, ensuring that the right side of the fabric is facing upward, and the folded edges face inward.
Step Five: Iron flat
Iron the folded bookmark flat, ensuring that the edges and corners are aligned.
Step Six: Pin the bookmark
Pin the edges of the bookmark, leaving an open space for a ribbon or tassel on the bottom of the bookmark.
Step Seven: Insert the ribbon or tassel
If using a ribbon, fold the ribbon in half and insert the loop into the bookmark. Alternatively, you can create a loop and insert the ends into the bookmark. Pin them down. If using a tassel, insert the braided suspension loop into the bookmark and pin it down.
Step Eight: Sew the bookmark
Using an embroidery stitch or straight stitch, sew the seams closed, removing the pins as you sew. Make adjustments to the ribbon or tassel as needed if they slide around while sewing.
To ensure that the embroidery does not come undone, backstitch or embroider over another inch past where you started to seal the stitch.
Step Nine: Finishing touches
Cut off loose threads and even out the ribbon or tassel by trimming the ends. If using a ribbon, cut the ends of the ribbon on an angle.
Optional alternative decorations for your bookmark
Step One: Add a lace facing
Precut lace or ribbons in the same length as the bookmark.
Step Two: Line up the lace details over the bookmark
Layer lacey details over the pre-folded bookmark to add texture and interest.
Step Three: Pin down the lace and sew
Pin down the lace and sew along the perimeter of the bookmark using an embroidery stitch or zigzag stitch.
Step Four: Sew on the ribbon and button
Fold your ribbon in half and sew it down onto the top of the bookmark along with a flat button.
Step Five: Finishing touches
Cut off loose threads and even out the ribbon or tassel by trimming the ends. If using a ribbon, cut the ends of the ribbon on an angle. Mix and match as many variations as you like.
Video Tutorial
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Did you give this DIY Fabric Bookmark a try? If so, please tell us how it went in the comments below!
