Pink Chalk Studio » Quick & Easy Bookmarks

Quick & Easy Bookmarks

May 30th, 2007

Step 1: Trace image onto paper-backed fusible web (Wonder Under or Heat n Bond).

Step 2: Iron fusible web to your fabric. Set aside.

Step 3: Make bookmark base. Layer fusible Peltex (Jo-Ann’s version of Timtex) between two cuts of fabric. This Pellon Peltex is No. 72 which is fusible on two sides. Perfect option for this type of project. You can use any type of stabilizer and attach your fabric using regular fusible web if need be, it’s just an extra step.

I cut my strip in half lengthwise ending up with two 2 3/4″ strips. I then cut these into 8″ lengths.

Step 4: Cut your shapes from the object fabric. Leave the paper on until you’re ready to press to the base. I like this design I chose because I don’t have to worry about a right side or wrong side orientation. I trace and the gecko goes on ‘upside down’ but it doesn’t matter.

Step 5: Cheap fabric paint I found in a 5 bottle kit at Jo-Ann’s. It really works. Inexpensive rubber stamps for the letters.

Step 6: A view of the base before final finishing. Zig zag stitch around the edges, press shapes to the base and stamp on any lettering.

Step 7: Free motion quilting. The free motion works to secure the shapes to the base and provide decoration. I used some variegated threads on the body.

Step 8: Up close picture of the finished bookmark.

11 Responses to “Quick & Easy Bookmarks”

on 30 May 2007 at 11:09 pm1Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive » Bookmarks

[…] To commemorate our year together, I made these quick and easy bookmarks for each child. More details here. […]
on 31 May 2007 at 2:33 am2Arianne

You make it look so easy! I am sewing machine disabled. I can only do the basic of things. And every time I try zig-zag I obviously get the gimp going on because the tension goes all funny and the thread gets stuck in the turny turny thing that the bobbin goes into. Go me. I need to take a course on how not to suck with a sewing machine.

Or, if I still lived in Washington, land of my heart and home, I would probably just stalk you until you put on a “how not to be a sewing doofus” class at some local venue. *sigh*

I knew moving to London would create problems! I just didn’t know that lack of good sewing classes would be one of them! I don’t think the crafting bug has bit England QUITE as hard as it’s bit America.
on 31 May 2007 at 4:15 am3planetjune

However do you come up with such great ideas?! These are beautiful!
on 31 May 2007 at 5:34 am4Mama Urchin

I will be trying to add something like this to any books we give. Such a nice gift.
on 31 May 2007 at 6:34 am5Miss Sassy

What a lovely gift idea. Thanks for a great tutorial and the explanation of the products you used. I love the free motion stitching on the lizards.

A question - do you just iron on the pellon to your two fabrics so they don’t wrap around the pellon (I don’t know if I am saying this right)? Are the edges kind of raw around the bookmark?

Arianna - why don’t you get your machine serviced? You may be able to solve your zigzag problem.
on 31 May 2007 at 7:23 am6Solidia

Thanks for the tutorial. I always give matching bookmarks. They are usually stamped or cross-stitched though. I love this idea even more! I will have to make up one for a retirement gift for my daughters teacher. She is big in to environmental issues as well and the kids have spent a lot of time learning to care more about their surroundings.
on 31 May 2007 at 10:02 am7Administrator

To answer Miss Sassy: The Pellon has fusible gunk applied to both sides. I like to cut my fabric a little bigger than the Pellon so I don’t get it on my iron or the ironing board. I layer both sides at the same time, press the first side and then flip it gently over and press the second side. I then rotary cut the Pellon to size (in this case 2 3/4″ by 8″) cutting off the excess around the edges. It’s ready to zig zag the edges at that point.
on 31 May 2007 at 11:17 am8Daphne

Very nice! And I think a good use of the scrap bin…
on 31 May 2007 at 10:14 pm9Kristin

Great idea! These are really cute. Thanks for sharing, Kathy!
on 01 Jun 2007 at 8:40 am10JudyC

Very cool Kathy!!
on 11 Nov 2007 at 8:41 am11Reading and Writing Was Never SEW Fun « THE DOMESTIC DIVA’S DISASTERS™

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