Fabric Bookmarks
As a family of avid readers we are always in need of bookmarks in our house. These fabric bookmarks are simple to make and perfect for gifts. With the wide variety of coloured & patterned fabrics available they can easily be tailored to a specific person or theme.
You will need:
Paper scissors
Card (to make a stronger template)
Fabric (washed & ironed)
Pencil/pen (for drawing around the template onto the card/fabric)
Basic sewing equipment
(needle, pins, fabric scissors, thread, tape measure etc)
Sewing machine (optional but faster & stronger than sewing by hand)
Crochet hook or knitting needle (for poking out the corners)
Iron & ironing board
Embellishments such as ribbon or a tassel etc (optional)
What to do
1. Print and cut out the paper templates (there are two to chose from, a rectangle with straight ends and a rectangle with a pointed end).
2. (optional) If you are planning to make a lot of bookmarks then it is a good idea to cut out a stronger template from card which can be used over and over again - Place the paper templates onto some card draw around them and cut out.
3. Choose two pieces of fabric (for the front & back, they can be the same or different)
**TOP TIP - If you would like to add embellishments to the book mark, such as embroidery, appliqué etc then it is best to do it before cutting out & sewing the two sides together, that way you can hide the back of stitches etc on the inside - TOP TIP**
4. Place a paper/card template on the wrong side of each fabric, draw around the template and cut out (the templates include seam allowance).
5. With right sides facing, pin the fabrics together (leave one end open if you are going to add some ribbon or a tassel).
6. If you would like to include a tassel or ribbon decoration, then take a tassel or cut a length of ribbon (about 15cm long), fold it in half, pin the looped end to the inside of one of the fabric pieces at one of the short ends (remember to have the ribbon/tassel that will be visible when the bookmark is complete on the inside between the fabrics).
7. Using a ¼ inch seam allowance sew the fabrics together leaving a gap for turning (taking out the pins as you go). Leave a long length of thread for sewing the gap closed by hand.
8. Carefully snip a little fabric from the corners/point to reduce bulk (do not go too close to the stitches).
9. Turn the bookmark the right way out, and carefully poke out the corners (a crochet hook or knitting needle is handy for this).
10. Press (iron) the bookmark and then sew the gap closed (make sure the seam is turned in.)
11. Press (iron) the bookmark again.
12. (optional) You can sew around the bookmark if you like to add extra stability. Using the presser foot on your sewing machine as a guide sew either 2 or 3mm in from the edge (it's fairly close to edge, and can be a bit tricky to sew) or ¼ inch from the edge (further away from the edge, but easier to sew) using either a matching or contrasting thread.
13. If you have added ribbon then snip the loop in half and shape the ends (a 'diagonal' cut, 'inverted v' or cutting a 'point' in the ends of the ribbon all look great). It is a good idea to add a dab of 'fray check' to the ends to stop them from fraying and then leave to dry ('fray check' is available from haberdasheries).
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