Fabric and Scraps Journal

Not sure what to do with all of those fabric scraps? Don't throw them away! Instead, save them and make a fun recycled craft. A Fabric and Scrap Journal from Heidi Borchers is an eco-friendly way to record your thoughts and creative ideas.


 

Materials:

• Fabric
• Cereal box (cardboard)
• Paper for journal pages
• Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Glue
• Yarn
• Playing card
• Felt
• Ribbon and large needle
• Sewing machine and thread
• Paper punch
• Stylus scoring tool
• Squeegee (plastic credit card or cardboard)
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Pencil
• Cool2Cast
• Alphabet letter tiles

Instructions:

1. Cut two covers 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ from cereal box cardboard. Measure in 1/2″ from edge of covers and punch. Space and punch remaining holes evenly.
   
   
    
2. Cut journal pages 5-1/4″ x 5-1/2″. Measure in 1/2″ along 5-1/2″ edge and punch. Space and punch remaining holes evenly to match journal cover punches.
   
   
    
3. Measure in 1/2″ along punched edge of covers and score with stylus to create a bend line along the journal spine.
   
   
    
4. Cut (or rip) 4 pieces of fabric 7″ square.
   
   
    
5. On one piece of fabric, layout scraps of fabric and felt to create design.
   
   
    
6. Apply Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Glue to back of scraps and squeegee glue to create even coat of glue. Glue scraps in place on fabric. You should be able to move right along to the sewing step even while the glue is still wet. I found it did not gum up my sewing machine needle.
   
   
    
7. On my first scrap, I set my sewing machine to zig zag and stitched a piece of yarn over the fabric scrap.
   
   
    
8. On this piece, I set my sewing machine to straight stitch and I fed the yarn in and looped it back and forth while I stitched.
   
   
    
9. Here’s the finished piece.
   
   
    
10. For my last scrap embellishment, I stitched the felt with a straight stitch.
    
    
     
11. To create the fabric covers, place cardboard on center of fabric and trace with pencil. This will give you a stitching line to follow.
    
    
     
12. Place wrong sides together and stitch along 3 sides. Insert cover into opening and stitch closed. Your cardboard cover is now sandwiched between the two layers of fabric. Repeat for back.
    
    
     
13. Find punched holes in cardboard and poke tip of craft knife through each hole. This will help when you stitch in the next step.
    
    
     
14. Thread ribbon on needle and find top hole. Bring needle and ribbon through back cover, journal paper and front cover.
    
    
     
15. Zig zag with needle and ribbon to create decorative binding. Bring both ends of ribbon to top and tie in bow.
    
    
     
16. Glue alphabet letter in place on felt.
    
    
     
17. Stitch fabric scraps on to playing card.
    
    
     
18. Glue in place.
    
    
     
19. Paint Cool2Cast Heart and glue onto playing card.
    
    

For a comprehensive video tutorial, check out How to Make a Mixed Media and Fabric Journal.