Making Stuff: Patchwork Bookmarks {Homemade Teacher Gift}

Paired with a gift card to the local bookstore, these patchwork bookmarks will make a great gift for my kid’s teachers.

It was a wonderful project to get the kids involved with from choosing the fabrics from my huge bag of scrap fabric, to doing the actual sewing and ironing.  I had to do most of the sewing for my 3 year old’s bookmarks but I let him step on the sewing pedal as we quilted the pieces together so now he feels total ownership of making his bookmarks.  Piecing all the strips together was the perfect first sewing project for my 6 year old who has been dying to use her sister’s outgrown Hello Kitty Janome machine.  My more experienced nine year old was able to complete the entire project on her own (yay!).

Basic Steps

1. Cut 6 strips of fabric about 2″x10″ (makes three bookmarks). We did varying widths between 1 1/2″ – 2 1/4″.

2. Sew all pieces together along longest edge (use 1/2″ seam allowance on all)

3. Place pieced layer on top of lightweight cotton batting & use straight or decorative machine stitch to quilt together.

4. Layer quilted piece with backing fabric and cut three  3″ wide strips of pieced fabric (perpendicular to seams).

5. With right sides together, sew quilted layer to backing fabric leaving a small opening on side to turn.  Make sure to remember to insert a small ribbon loop at one end!

6. Trim seams, clip corners and turn.

7.  Iron flat and sew an edge stitch all around (this will close up turning hole).