*This tutorial is divided into two parts. This is part 1, part 2 is here. Please read both completely before beginning (start here with part 1).
The easiest way to understand how this little textile book is constructed is to watch the video of the last step – assembling it – first. After that we can talk about creating the pages etc.
Don’t see the video? – find it here.
My first two pages form the 2022 stitch book are above are above. You can check out the finished 2022 stitch book here. If you are stitching along with me this year stitch your pages before you assemble the book. I’m sharing the assembly tutorial now so you know where we are headed. Plus it’s a really cool way to make a textile book that you could use for all sorts of things.
Learn more about the stitch book project here
To create your pages you need 20 rectangles – 7 X 5.5 inches – you can use the page template download below to make them. Ignore the other marks on the pattern for now – just cut the rectangles. I’m using cotton and linen for the pages. Do not use heavy or thick fabric for your pages.
Stitch whatever you like on your rectangles, embroidery, collage, mess around, try stuff, meander. Leave about 1/2 inch margin all around the edge to make book assembly easy.
To make the book you will need these templates:
download the page template here
download the page chart here
how to assemble the book
Before assembling the book finish stitching on each of your 20 rectangles however you like – (I’m using plain fabric rectangles for the demonstration book today).
Clearly mark the – right side – of each of the 20 finished pages with its number using masking tape and a sharpie marker.
The book has 20 pages, including cover and back. There are five sections – each composed of 4 rectangles/pages.
3 sections have slots.
and 2 sections have tabs.
Use the page chart to layout the sections. For example The first section (a slot section) would look like this.
Use pages 6 and 1 for the front and 2 and 5 for the back of section one. We are looking at the right sides of the fabric.
And here it is assembled – front and back – page 5 is on the back of page 6 and page 2 is behind one. Use the chart and it all works out.
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- section 1 – front
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- section 1 – back
Below is section 2 – a tab section.
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- section – 2 front
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- section 2 – back
Lay out your 20 numbered pages in 5 sections following the chart and then use the instructions here to sew the slot and tab sections.
With all your sections sewn assemble the book.
assembling the book
Get set up by laying out out your pages just like the left hand column of the chart. Then follow along with the video at the top of this post.
PS – the designer of the slot tab method of binding books is Michael Budiansky – checkout the handmade books blog for more– it’s a cool site.
