Sewing an Embellished Fabric Journal Cover

A padded journal cover becomes a canvas for scrap piecing, machine embroidery, and hand embellishment. This post covers gathering coordinated scraps and piecing them into a freeform collage. It also covers adding a reveal-style embroidery motif, layering on embellishments, and assembling the finished cover with piping and a built-in bookmark.

materials

fabric

• assorted fabric scraps in one color family, for the pieced collage front
• coordinating lining fabric, cut into three pieces
• fusible fleece for the back of the collage
• small scraps of organza, for lace-style flower embellishments (optional)

thread

• machine embroidery thread in coordinating colors
• 60-weight bobbin thread
• 50-weight thread to match embellishments
• novelty thread and yarn for couching

notions

• assorted embellishments: buttons, ribbon, sequins, and embroidery floss
• piping or welt cord
• a length of ribbon for the built-in bookmark
• fabric marking pen
• sharp seam ripper
• embroidery hoop, for the machine-embroidered motif
• specialty presser feet as needed: open toe, cording, yarn couching, candlewicking, button, and piping feet

Gather scraps in one color family

Sorting scraps by color makes every later decision easier. Pull fabric scraps, threads, yarns, buttons, ribbon, and sequins into one cohesive color family. Or stretch across two or three closely related shades instead. A tight color palette means almost any combination looks intentional. This takes the guesswork out of choosing embellishments later on.

Piece an improv collage

Measure the journal while it’s closed, not open, to leave a little ease in the finished cover. Piece the collage freeform, joining any two scraps together without measuring first. Trim uneven or wonky edges as needed, then keep adding pieces. Build smaller units first, then join those units together. This makes a large collage much easier to manage than piecing one giant section at once. Mixing several prints within the same color family adds visual interest without breaking the overall palette.

Add a reveal-style embroidery motif

A single embroidery motif adds a focal point to the collage. A built-in design library, or an online library connected directly to the machine, turns up plenty of small motifs sized to fit the space. A reveal-style technique works especially well here. Stitch several layers of satin stitch in a light base color. Add a top layer in a contrasting color, securing everything with a few rounds of stitching around the edges first. Sliced open later, the top layer peels back to expose the base color underneath. The result is a striking two-tone bloom.

Layer on embellishments

Layering on embellishments brings the collage to life. Mark the finished stitching line first, then back the piece with fusible fleece for body and structure. From there, you can add embellishments in almost any order. Small lace-style flowers applique on with a narrow zigzag. Sequins stitch down one at a time with a specialty stitch and a clear-view presser foot. Strands of embroidery floss and novelty yarn couch in place using presser feet made just for that purpose. These feet guide several strands through at once. A few rows of a chunky decorative stitch add texture reminiscent of candlewicking. Buttons finish it off, stitched on by machine for speed and a surprisingly handmade look.

Assemble the cover

Trim the finished collage to the cover’s finished size plus a seam allowance all around. Cut three lining pieces: two side pieces sized to overlap a center piece by about 1½″ [3.8cm] on each side. Hem the inner edge of each side piece, since that edge stays visible inside the finished cover. The center piece stays unhemmed, tucked fully out of sight between the other two.

Stitch piping along the front edge of the cover first. Clip the seam allowance at each corner for a sharp turn. Layer the two hemmed side pieces right sides together with the front, hemmed edges toward the middle. Add the center lining piece next, plus a length of ribbon at the top center for a built-in bookmark. Sew all the way around, pivoting neatly at each corner. Turning the whole cover right side out through one of the lining openings leaves a fully finished edge. No hand stitching is required.

A sharp seam ripper finally slices open the reveal-style embroidery motif, exposing its hidden base color underneath. Tie off any loose embellishment tails, then trim them intentionally short. Left this way, they fray a little over time. This adds one more layer of texture to run fingers over. Slide the finished cover onto the journal, and it’s ready to carry along.

Original series by Elaine Theriault on QUILTsocial.com. Photos by Elaine Theriault