Every year I get a little cocky right before Halloween, and start thinking I'm way ahead of the Christmas game. I mean, it's not even November and I've thought about Christmas gifts, and planned projects, so I must be prepared. Right? Then Halloween happens, and the next thing you know Thanksgiving is a week away, and now I'm not feeling cocky at all. In fact, my feelings are better described as anxious working their way toward panic. Sound familiar?
This month's Alchemy of Fabric collection and project are going a long way to ease my panic. Journal covers are fast, look great, and make a good gift for almost everyone. They are also a fun way to try out new techniques, test color combinations, and experiment with print mixing.
The cover uses Valori's Journal Cover pattern (pdf version), three fabrics from the Tanglewood collection, and one companion fabric. I chose to cover a watercolor large landscape journal. With a portable watercolor kit, and a brush, it would be perfect for any art lover.
For the outside of my cover, I used Soft Sand Premium Linen Bend, Scarlett Shot Cotton, and Praline Mushrooms. The moth is fussy cut from Moth Bouquet. I used fusible stabilizer before cutting it out, and then stitched it to the finished cover. The lining is also Moth Bouquet.
The pattern has instructions to cover any size book, so your options are endless. You could make a cover for everything from a blank journal, to a fiction book, or even a three ring binder. I'm covering my bullet journal next.
This month's companion fabrics include some 108" wide denims that are great for this project. You can cover almost any size book without extra seams and the fabrics are durable so your cover will stand up to use. Besides being practical, the heavier fabrics also add texture and dimension. The width makes them easy options for quilt backs and they are a darn good value.
One of the things I like about this month's fabric selections, and companion fabrics, is that a number of them are fabrics men would like. I think my husband would love a book cover in the crosshatch denim, with a bit of green accent.
Tanglewood fabrics from top left:
- Poppy in Misty by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella
- Mushrooms in Praline by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella
- Musings by Valori Wells AVW-17320-184 Grid Charcoal
- Shot Cotton in Scarlett by Kaffe Fassett for Free Spirit
- Rabbit Study in Misty by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella
- Moth Bouquet in Multi by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella
- Poppy in Gardenia by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella
Companion fabrics from top left:
- Sprinkle in Peach for Cotton + Steel
- Quilter's Linen in Forest Green from Robert Kaufman
- Denim Studio Crosshatch Textured Denim in Clouded Horizon for Art Gallery Fabrics
- Forage by Anna Graham AFH-17984-188 Pepper
- Sevenberry Kasuri in Red from Robert Kaufman
- Eclectic Elements Provisions in Sage by Tim Holtz for Free Spirit
- Denim Studio Premium Linen Blend in Soft Sand from Art Gallery Fabrics
- Denim in Cool Foliage from Art Gallery Fabrics
- Nikko 3805 from Diamond Textiles
- Dimples Red for Andover Fabrics
I hope you enjoy this month's collection and project! I'd love to see what you make.
Cheers,
Samantha
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