These Needle books are great if you do any handwork! And they make excellent gifts since they work up fast! Mine is made with Alison Glass Fabric.
This fabric is from her Lucky Penny line and intended for a needle book, including two small panels.
(Note ~ You might not be able to find this fabric. If you love the look check out her Field Day Fabric as an alternate! She also sells a Needle Book Kit!)
I decided to cut up the panels for a more patchwork looking book and added this bright pink fabric from my stash (part of her Handcrafted line) to make the inside pocket.
My needle book measures 6 1/2″ x 4″ closed. To make this size you will need:
Supplies:
A (4) 4 1/2″ x 7″ patches for inside and outside cover
B (1) 7 x 7 1/2″ patch for pocket
C (1) 7 1/2″ x 9″ piece of batting
D (2) 5 1/2″ x 7″ patch of wool or felt for pages
E DMC perle cotton for embellishing
Let’s get started!
Sew 4 1/2″ x 7″ fabric A patches together in pairs of two on long 7″ edge.
Place one pieced A/A unit (outside cover) on batting with right side up.
Baste 1/8″ seam around perimeter to secure in place for embroidery stitches.
Embellish front cover using perle cotton and set aside. Note ~ I didn’t add any stitches to the second side (back cover) of my project, but you can stitch that side too if you like!
Now, let’s work on the inside cover and pocket.
Fold 7″ x 7 1/2″ B patch in half on 7″ length. Sew a decorative running stitch (or other stitch) along fold edge as a decorative accent. Place on top of the second A/A unit (inside cover).
The pocket will be stitched to the inside cover to make 2 individual pockets. I placed my supplies onto the B pocket to decide where my stitches should go.
Mark a line with a hera marker 2 1/4″ from the edge.
Stitch pocket in place on the marked line with a running stitch of perle cotton through all layers of the pocket and inside cover. Knot at back.
Sew 1/8″ seam around thee outside edges of pocket perimeter to secure in place.
Place pocket pieces Right Sides Together and sew 1/4″ seam along perimeter, leaving opening on back cover to turn.
Sew a running stitch of perle cotton on back cover of needle book on three sides to close opening and add decorative touch. Center two wool 5 1/2″ x 7″ D patches on top of the inside cover.
Continue running stitch down center along spine to secure wool pieces in place.
With your needle still on the perle cotton, tie a knot near the last exit point, feed needle back into exit hole through batting and back out 1/2″ away. Pull perle cotton through, give a sharp tug until knot embeds in batting, trim perle cotton tail off.
Notice the stitching for the wool pages adds a nice detail along the spine?
Enjoy your new needle book!!!
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Find the templates for my pins applique here:
click here>>> needle book pins applique
Check out my Tutorials Page for more projects!
This is so lovely! And such pretty colours ♥
Oh how pretty is that!! Love it! Thank you for the tute, now I need to find that fabric! :) Amie
Love your tutorial, just as much as I love your patterns. Is it possible to print it out so I can take it to my sewing room?
Hi, I’m from Walnut Creek, California. I love this tutorial! Am going to make 9 for my applique group! Had fun picking out fabrics yesterday ( wish I could found this cute Alison Glass fabric but it’s all gone)! Thank you Rebecca.
Hi Sherri!
I just discovered your website and love your tutorials! Where did you get the wool for the pages in your “Needle Book”?
Thank you!
I got the wool at a local quilt shop… but you might have some success looking online also.
Love your needle book .will have to use your idea would make a beautiful gift. Found you on Facebook.
This is a lovely tutorial and fantastic way to show off fun decorative panels of fabric like many of Alison Glass’s designs. Thank you so much for linking up!