Hand-Stitched Journal for the Spirit of Exploration Within You
Hey there, folks! It's Ashlee here from My So Called Crafty Life, and today I'm gonna teach you how to make a damn adorable hand-embroidered notebook.
A few years back, my mama got me into hand embroidery, and well, we still get together to stitch and chat. My mama loves to hand embroider gifts for me, and for my wedding anniversary this year, she embroidered a set of pillowcases for us—they're my faves now, for sure!
I've embroidered on some oddball surfaces like paper, mats, and even wood, but I've been hankerin' to try stitching on a simple notebook for a while now. So when I spotted this cute map-themed notebook at the office supply store, I knew it was perfect to embellish with a stitchy quote! If you've got kids who love to embroider, this is a bloody brilliant back-to-school craft they'll frickin' love!
Let's dive into it, shall we?
Embroidered Notebook
Stuff You'll Need
- Notebook with a sturdy chipboard cover that can be punched through
- Embroidery floss
- Pencil
- Sharp Awl
- Hand Sewing Needles
- Scrapbook Paper or Cardstock
- Glue
- Scissors
How to Make It
Step 1: Template
Write the words or phrase you're gonna embroider on the front of your notebook. If you're a newbie, pick something simple. Press firmly with your pencil so you can see the lines of your lettering.
Place the cover side up on a protected surface like a self-healing mat or a workbench. Take your awl, and punch holes through the cover following the lines of the lettering, and spaced about a quarter to a half-inch apart.
Step 2: Sewing Time
Cut a long piece of embroidery floss, knot one end, and thread the other through the eye of your needle.
Beginning at the backside, bring the needle up through a hole in your first letter. Then bring it down through the next hole, and so forth. Use a basic back stitch—bring the needle up past the next hole and then backwards and down through the hole before the one you just brought the thread up through.
Keep on going till you've sewn your entire saying. Remember to finish off each word by bringing the thread through the last stitch and knotting the thread. Trim the excess thread.
Step 3: Finishing Touches
Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to be just a tad smaller than the cover, glue it down to the backside of the front cover.
If you wanna add a pocket, fold a piece of scrapbook paper in half widthwise, cut it at an angle almost half the length of the paper, and fold the sides about a half-inch on each side. Glue the pocket at the sides and bottom to the backside of the cover.
Let the notebook dry for several hours with the cover open before using. Close the cover to admire your embroidery work up close!
As it turns out, embroidering notebooks ain't rocket science—even beginners can do 'em! I use my notebooks for menu planning and lists (I'm a big-time list maker!).
I reckon this handmade embroidered notebook would be a great gift for someone, standalone, or paired with some lovely pencils or a quality pen! Give it a go next time ya feel crafty, I think ya'll dig it!
If you're lookin' for more easy-as-pie adult craft projects, check out these helpful posts:
- All About The Happy Planner: Your Ultimate Guide
- DIY iPad Case with Wood Grain Duck Tape
- Easy Yarn Art You Can Make in An Hour
- DIY Wall Organizer from an Embroidery Hoop (So Easy!)
Incorporating my love for hand embroidery into home-and-garden decor, I've decided to embroider a quotation onto a map-themed notebook. This hand-embroidered notebook, with its sturdy chipboard cover and embellished front, could serve as a unique addition to our lifestyle, whether it's used for menu planning, lists, or even as a gift.
