Fabric Stash Book Project 2407-2 by Julie B

Quilting Arts TV series 2400 Fabric Stash Book project 2407-2 by Julie B. Booth Sponsored by Bernina of America and eQuilter.com

Host Susan Brubaker Knapp and quilt artist Julie B. Booth

Materials • 1–2 decorative cotton, linen, or silk This project was originally inspired by a fabric pieces to cover the binding edge. small book of Japanese fabric swatches • 2 (41/2" x 7") pieces of wool felt (Size will depend on the depth of the given as a gift by a friend living in foundation fabric (I used Cherry book. I layered 2 fabric pieces: Tokyo. In addition to the beautiful Cordial red from Prairie Woolens.) 41/2" x 4" and 41/2" x 31/4".) selection of fabrics, two things caught Alternative fabric: wool fabric or • Hand sewing needles: Crewel my eye … one was that the fabric acrylic felt embroidery size #5 and sashiko (I used swatches were different sizes so that you • 2 (41/2" x 7") pieces of cotton batik Tulip brand Big Eye, Straight Thin Size could see more than one fabric as you fabric (A monochromatic design is THN-103e) flipped through the book. This made for recommended.) • Small sharp embroidery scissors interesting combinations of pattern and • 4 (41/2" x 7") pieces of open weave • Disappearing or washable fabric color. The other was the binding … a cheesecloth (I used Dritz brand and marker or pencil simple stab stitch. This book format is a colored them with fabric paints.) • Clear plastic gridded ruler great way to display those favorite fabric [Note: Choose colors that contrast Optional scraps that you just can’t seem to part with! The book covers will introduce with the batik fabric. I used two • Cotton fabric with larger decorative you to a variation of reverse appliqué different color ways (blue/green and motif for trapunto feature (I used a technique with the option of adding a red/orange) sandwiched together.] floral motif from a piece of Japanese stuffed trapunto detail. • 2 (41/2" x 7") pieces of tulle. (A color Yukata cloth.) that blends with or enhances the color • Solid color cotton backing fabric for of the batik fabric is recommended.) trapunto feature (Cut slightly larger Instructions • Assorted fabric pieces that you want than shape you plan to stuff.) Designing the covers to feature; largest size 41/2" x 7". • Stuffing 1. Use small sharp scissors to carefully Note: Include scraps of various smaller • Embroidery floss cut out a selection of motifs from the sizes. Choose different fabric types, • Stuffing tool batik fabric pieces. Approach larger textures, and weights. • Ribbons, lace, tulle, small tulle motifs as if you were cutting stencil • #8 perle cotton threads (for stitching, drawstring bag (optional) designs, leaving “bridging” fabric binding, and trapunto). strips between openings. (figure 1)

© F+W Media, Inc. All rights reserved. F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this document to be copied for personal use. • quiltingartstv.com • quiltingcompany.com Quilting Arts TV series 2400 project 2407-2

Tip: To start a cut, make a small fold in the fabric. Make a small snip across the fold. Unfold and continue cutting out the shape.

2. Make the front and back covers of the book. Using the felt as the base, layer 2 pieces of cheesecloth, the cut-out batik fabric, and the tulle. Pin together to secure. (figure 2) figure 4 3. Thread a #5 crewel embroidery needle with #8 perle cotton. Knot the thread and come up through all the layers. Use running stitch to attach the layers to the base. figure 1 Carefully stitch around the cutaway Process photos courtesy of the artist areas and along the bridging fabric strips of the cut designs. Stitch other areas to add texture. (figure 3)

figure 5 Create trapunto detail 1. Cut out a large decorative motif, including an extra 1/4" of fabric around the motif. figure 2 2. Pin solid cotton fabric to the wrong side of the motif fabric. It should cover the area that you are planning to stuff.

3. Following the outlines of the motif, figure 6 use running stitch to sew the fabrics together. (figure 4)

4. Slit the solid backing fabric (figure 5) and stuff the shape with loose batting. (figure 6)

5. Whip stitch to close the opening. (figure 7)

6. Pin to the completed cover and use running stitch to attach. (figure 8)

figure 3

figure 7

Assemble the pages so that you have a total of 2 vertical stitches going over the top edge of the 1. Assemble the contents of the stash book. Make sure that the needle is now book. Include fabrics of different coming out again at the first marking types, sizes, and textures. Consider on the front cover in order to start the adding lace, colorful ribbon, or first horizontal stitch. netting. Include sheer fabrics such as cheesecloth, silk gauze, or tulle. Be • Make the first horizontal stitch by aware of how the fabrics relate to each bringing the thread over the left-hand other and experiment with layering edge of the book. Bring the needle different fabrics together to create through the first marking on the back visual interest. You may even want cover, exiting at the first marking on to add a small tulle gift bag so you the front cover. Repeat so you have a can include special beads, buttons, or total of 2 horizontal stitches on the other treasures. front cover. Make sure that the needle is again coming out at the first marking 2. Once you’ve decided on the order of on the front cover in order to start the the stash fabrics, pin them together figure 8 next set of vertical stitches. (figure 9) so that they all line up along the left- hand edge. • Make the next vertical stitch by bringing the needle through the second 3. Pin the front and back covers to the marking on the front cover exiting fabric book pages. through the second marking on the 4. Wrap the decorative binding fabric back cover. pieces around the left edge of the • Bring the needle through the first book so that there is an equal amount marking on the back, exiting again encasing the front and back covers through the first marking on the front and internal pages. Pull taut, fitting it cover. snugly, and pin the layers together. figure 9 • Bring the needle through the second thread. To create the binding, alternate marking on the front cover through to Bind the book sets of vertical and horizontal stitches the second marking on the back cover. 1. Determine how far from the edge in the following sequence: You will now have 2 completed vertical you want to stitch the binding. To • Bring the needle up through the first stitches on the front cover. some extent, this will depend upon marking on the back cover, through all • To make the second set of horizontal the width and depth of the book. My the book pages and exiting through the stitches, bring the thread over the left- binding was 3/4" from the edge. Use first marking on the front cover. Pull hand edge of the book. Bring the needle the washable marker to draw a line until the knot is secure on the back through the second marking on the marking this distance on the front and cover. front cover and exit through the second back covers. Mark (with dots) equal marking on the back cover. Repeat. increments along the stitching line • Take the first stitch by bringing the on the front and back covers so that thread over the top edge of the book. • To make the third set of vertical you will be able to line up the binding • Bring the needle back through the back stitches, bring the needle through the stitches. cover at the first marking (close to the third marking on the back cover and exit through the third marking on the 2. Thread the sashiko needle with #8 original knot) and exit through the first front cover. Bring the needle through perle cotton. Knot the end of the marking on the front cover. Repeat,

the second marking on the front Always end the old thread on the back cover and exit through the second cover and start the new thread on the marking on the back cover. Repeat. back cover, picking up the sequence of binding stitches. • To make the third set of horizontal stitches, you will need to threadborn.com re-position the needle so that it is again coming out of the third Thank you to Julie’s student Linda marking on the front. This will McNutt who contributed artwork to require 1 extra vertical stitch on illustrate this technique (fish book) the back. duing the taping of this episode. • Make 2 horizontal stitches over the left-hand edge of the book, ending with the needle coming out at the third marking on the front. • Continue alternating sets of 2 vertical and 2 horizontal stitches on the front cover by repeating the steps. • The last set of vertical stitches will be over the bottom edge of the book. Knot off on the back cover. (figure 10)

Note: The binding uses a lot of thread and it is likely that you will need to rethread the needle at least once. figure 10