"Sew Fun" Needlebook

If you're like me, you have a bunch of friends who are just as into sewing and crafting as you are. Often times it's hard to come up with gifts to give them (on birthdays, holidays, etc.). What do you give someone who creates everything themselves? Well, why not make this needlebook? They are small, compact and oh, so sweet.  They are also perfect for tucking in your purse so you can take a little hand stitching project with you wherever you go.  

I first spotted this adorable needlebook on Pinterest and tweaked it just a little. With my variations, I put together the following tutorial so you can make one or more for your sewing friends too.  


Let's begin:

• Cut 2 pieces of fabric, one for the front and one for the back into 3 1/2" x 6 1/2"
• Cut one piece of felt 3 1/4" x 6 1/4".  
• Sew felt onto the middle of one rectangle.  
• To the left side of the fabric, stitch in place an inch piece of narrow elastic, folded in half.

For the embroidery details, follow the steps below:

• Sew together the front to the back, leaving a 1 1/2" section at the bottom back not sewn so you can turn your fabric.

• Clip corners (see top image) and turn the fabric right side out (see bottom image.)
• Iron the rectangle from the back side of the embroidery.  
• Hand stitch the opening closed.  
• Fold the fabric in half and iron.
• Cut a piece or two of felt  3"  x 6".  (This is your inside "page".)
• Fold felt in half and iron along the seam.
• With a sewing machine, stitch across the felt along the fold (or center) of your fabric.  
• Hand sew a button opposite the elastic. 
• Add needles, pins and safety pins to the felt pages.

I hope all your crafty buddies like this just as much as I do!  xoxo Grandma

Shared:  Threading My Way