From the fusible fleece, cut a rectangle 9" x 21".

[показать]From the honey bun, choose 8 strips. (If you would like the option of an embroidered strip, choose one tone-on-tone strip for your embroidery). From each of these strips, cut a 21" length.

 

[показать]Using a sharp, lead pencil and a light box (or the nearest window), transfer the embroidery design onto the tone-on-tone strip. You can find a pdf version of the embroidery design here. The fabric itself inspired this simple design, but feel free to make up your own design at this point! Of course, this embroidered strip is entirely optional. If the embroidery doesn't appeal to you, simply leave this strip unadorned.

Lay the rectangle of fusible fleece on ironing board, with fusible side up. Lay the first fabric strip along the top edge of the fleece, with top edges aligned and fuse.

 

[показать]Lay the second strip, right sides together, on top of the first strip. Pin in place.

 

[показать]Using a 0.25" seam, stitch the strips together to the fusible fleece.

Open the strips, & flip the second strip down onto the fusible fleece and press.

 

[показать]Continue adding strips in this way, pinning, stitching, flipping & pressing until you have added all eight strips.

[показать]You may find at this point that the fabric strips have stretched a little as you have sewn, and you have messy bits at either end of your pieced panel (see below). Simply trim these ends back to square with the fusible fleece.

 

[показать]Similarly, you may have some excess fleece at the bottom of your pieced panel. Again, trim the excess fleece back to the fabric strip.

You should have something that looks like the photo below. At this point, the pieced panel should measure 8.5" x 21".

 

If you are choosing to embroider your journal cover, it is time to stitch! Using a simple backstitch and 2 strands of thread, stitch the flowers. I have used DMC #347 very dark salmon for the flowers, #760 salmon for the flower centres and #611 drab brown for the leaves and stems. The spots are colonial knots using 2 strands of #3750 very dark antique blue.

 

Mark the centre top of your cover. Pin a 12" piece of coordinating ribbon to the top edge of the cover, 1.5" from the centre, towards what will be the back of the cover.

 

[показать]Machine stitch this ribbon to the cover, 1/8" in from the edge.

 

Overlock or zig zag the short sides of the rectangle to neaten. Turn these sides under by 0.25" and stitch.

[показать]With the right side of your journal cover facing upwards, put pins at the centre top and centre bottom. Measure 6.75" either side of each centre, and mark with pins.

 

[показать]Turn in each of the short ends such that the fold lies at the point you have pinned 6.75" from centre.

 

[показать]Measure your journal cover at this point. From the fat quarter of coordinating fabric, cut a lining rectangle with the same measurements. (The lining should be somewhere near 13.5" x 8.5"; you can overlock the short ends of this rectangle, but it is optional).

 

[показать]Pin the lining rectangle in place over the journal cover. Make sure your ribbon marker is tucked in out of the way.

 

[показать]Stitch the top and bottom seam using a 0.25" seam allowance. (I also overlocked these seams, just for strength & neatness).

Now for the exciting bit! You should now be able to turn the entire journal cover in the right way & press. Hopefully, the outside should look something like this:

 

[показать]And the inside should look something like this:

 

[показать]Insert journal and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

From the fusible fleece, cut one rectangle 9" x 21".

From 21 honey bun strips, cut 4.5" lengths.

From linen fabric, cut two rectangles 2.75" x 21"

The coordinating lining fabric will be cut to size later.

 

[показать]Using a 0.25" seam, sew the 4.5" honey bun strips together to form one long piece.

With the fusible side of your fleece up, mark lines with a pencil 2.25" from each long edge.

Place your pieced honey bun strip between these lines and pin. Fuse the strip to the fleece, with the point of your iron. Take care not to press beyond the fabric strip or you will end up with a sticky mess on your iron!

You may find at this point that the fabric strips have stretched a little as you have sewn, and you have excess fabric at end of your pieced panel (see below). Simply trim these ends back to square with the fusible fleece.

Pin one of the linen rectangles, right sides together, to the top of the honey bun strip.

 

[показать]Stitch this seam using 0.25" seam allowance.

Flip the linen back across the fusible fleece and press. Repeat with the second linen rectangle.

Using a matching thread, topstitch three rows of straight stitching, 0.25" apart to the top and bottom side of the honey bun strip.

Pin your length of coordinating ribbon at the centre of your journal cover.

 

[показать]Stitch the ribbon in place.

 

[показать]Finish your journal cover by following from Step 4 of Journal Cover #1. Insert journal and tie the ribbon in a bow to close. Trim ribbon ends to desired length.