Bookmark SAL - March

Welcome to the third part of the Bookmark SAL! Unfortunately it is late - again. Things did not go as planned yesterday and by the time I got home again I was too exhausted to finish the stitching and write the post. As it turned out I wouldn't have had time to do everything before bed as it took me 2 hours and 30 minutes to finish stitching to a point where you can see what's going on and get all the photos made for the tutorial. There are around 30 photos on this post - please take care when using a mobile device to view this page.

This is the mostly completed bookmark - all it needs is the seams made up of running stitch to be completed.

Fabric:

For this pattern I have used 14ct banding that is 2" / 5 cm wide. Mine has a pretty green decorative edge, you might not be able to get this exact colour but most places offer banding at a nice price (and if you are lucky you can do what I did and buy a remnant). The length I used in the end is 14" / 36 cm. If you want to stitch this on normal fabric, perforated paper or perforated plastic then just use this stitch calculator to see how much you need.

Threads:

You will need 0.1 skein of each colour thread. The pattern with the front and back of the banding will say more thread but that's because I showed the stitching on the back while that's done as a running stitch so uses the same thread as the front.

The patterns

The bookmark can be downloaded here
The alternate pattern for the bookmark can be downloaded here
The bookmark with back included can be downloaded here

Construction:

This time you get a photo tutorial. I used a longer bit of banding so started lower than necessary as I wasn't yet sure how I'd finish it once stitched. You only need to start 4 or 5 stitches from the top edge of the banding.

Start with the finishing at the bottom of the bookmark.

Fold the fabric along the two stitched lines opposite each other.

Folding the second backstitched line.

Fold lines made.

Bring the sides together and press with your fingers.

Give it a good squish.

Start whip stitching the two sides together by sliding the needle under the backstitched lines working from one side to another. I'm working right to left, you might prefer left to right.

When you reach the middle slide the needle into the fabric and back out on the other side of the two stitches that are the centre. Repeat the folding of the edges. 

Now continue down the other side.

When you reach the end slide the needle between the layers towards the back.

Flip the bookmark open so you can see the back.

Grab the two triangles you see in the middle.

Gently pull them sideways.

You have now turned the work.

Make sure you have both ends of the band pointing down and the corners are nice and flat.

Trim the corners off to reduce bulk in the bookmark when finished.

It will now look like this.

Turn it right side out again and make sure the point is nice and neat.

All nice and flat again. If you want to add a tassel now is a good time to do it.

Now make the backstitched line at the top of the bookmark (if you haven't already)

The easy way to see where the line goes on the back is to hold it up to the light and you can see the line show through (I had to add light from my side to get it to show as a photo.

I started in the middle and slide the needle in the hole where the line goes on this side. It's important to keep finished ends away from the sides.

The second backstitched line is done - hold it up to the light to double check you got it right.

Fold the ends inside - I put mine down for the photo so you could see the longer tail end stitching out.

Sew the top seam - make sure to properly hide the starting knot (or use the end of the thread from backstitching if it's to one side).

Make sure to align the stitches properly.

Turn the top end inside out. Bring your thread to the back and finish it a little inside from the end of the sewing lines.

Hold both ends on your hand and make sure they are nice and flat.

Cut the fabric off a few stitches above the seam line.

*Snip*

Fold the seams down towards their own side so you can see the sewing lines.

Turn the top edge right way round again and make sure the top seam is nice and flat.

For the side seams you will do three lines of running stitch making sure to carefully align the holes of the fabric as you do so. The line will be seen on both sides to take care with the back too.

And that's it for the pattern!

I will see you on Tuesday with the next part of the Easy Christmas Card SAL!