Collaged and Stitched Bookmarks

May 16, 2016 Barbara Schneider

This is a great project for using up scraps of interesting papers, fabrics, old beads, buttons, ribbons, and other tidbits. It is simple to do and you can make several of them in a short amount of itme as small gifts or giveaways.

Materials to create collage and stitched book marks

Cutting matt
Rotary cutter with decorative blades
Xacto knife
Glue stick
Fusible web
Iron, matt
Sewing machine, straight and zigzag and embroidery feet
Scissors
Decorative threads
Fixative or polyurethane spray (optional)
Decorative papers, fabric scraps, old buttons, beads, wires, etc.
Sewing machine
Iron

Version 1

Step 1

Gather up your paper scraps and small piece of fabrics and other fun stuff. I have some old water color papers, postcards, decorative papers, magazines or advertising, anything that is of interest to you.

Step 2

Do the same with your fabrics—I have scraps from various projects, some have stitching on them already, others are samples from fabric suppliers, anything can work! Pieces that are already cut up are sometimes even more interesting to use in your design.

Step 3

Lay out your samples and see what appeals to you to work with. If you choose a background paper it should be relatively sturdy. If you choose a background fabric it should be fused to another piece of fabric to make it sturdier.

Step 4

On a cutting mat, cut a strip three inches by ten inches for your background. I use a scallop or a pinking blade on my rotary cutter to give the edge more interest.

Step 5

Next choose a strip of another paper or fabric to be used in the center of your bookmark; it can be one piece of paper or a collage of smaller pieces—whatever YOU want.

Step 6

Center this on your background and tape lightly at one end to hold in place.

Step 7

Try out stitch widths and thread colors and styles on scraps of paper. I used my Bernina 750 zigzag stitch and variegated thread for the sample shown. I tried various stitch widths and lengths until I found the one that I liked best.

Step 8

Start stitching at a corner and go along the whole length of your center piece—when you get to the end carefully place you needle in the down position right at the corner so you can make a neat turn. Continue all the way around to your inner rectangle. Carefully end your stitching.

Step 9

You could be done at this point or you can add some small additional decorations. I laid out a bunch of possibilities next to my bookmark (to see whether buttons, beads, old necklace bits or other things might look good on the bookmark.

Step 10

After I chose my items, I chose a decorative stitch to hold the items in place near the top of the bookmark center panel.

Step 11

Sign your name if you like to the back with a marker, and admire your finished project

Step 12

You may want to spray with a fixative or polyurethane spray to add protection.

Version 2 of the Collage and Stitched Bookmarks

Step 1

In this version I had a photo that I had printed on to cloth with a backing paper. I decided to cut the photo up into multiple bookmarks. I used my rotary cutter with scallop blade.

Step 2

I could make four bookmarks out of the 8.5 x 11 piece of paper.

Step 3

I used my BERNINA 350 PE zigzag stitch again to create a wavy undulating pattern on the fabric that compliments the water reflection lines. I varied the stitch width as I sewed so the pattern would get wider and narrower.