https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/deer-diary • Posted by Octopus Publishing
“Deer Diary, let me tell you a secret…” I love a brand-new diary or journal, with all the promise and possibility of a fresh start. This sweet covered notebook is made from cosy felt, appliquéd with a little woodland deer; perfect for writing down all your thoughts, stories, dreams and big ideas! Felt is such a wonderful craft material, easy to work with and it comes in a rainbow of colours to choose from. Use the templates to sew up your very own Deer Diary and you will find it comes together so quickly that you will want to make up a few more for gifts. Instead of a deer, you might prefer a chicken or a few felt flowers for your cover. Let your imagination run wild!
“Deer Diary, let me tell you a secret…” I love a brand-new diary or journal, with all the promise and possibility of a fresh start. This sweet covered notebook is made from cosy felt, appliquéd with a little woodland deer; perfect for writing down all your thoughts, stories, dreams and big ideas! Felt is such a wonderful craft material, easy to work with and it comes in a rainbow of colours to choose from. Use the templates to sew up your very own Deer Diary and you will find it comes together so quickly that you will want to make up a few more for gifts. Instead of a deer, you might prefer a chicken or a few felt flowers for your cover. Let your imagination run wild!
Measuring and cutting the felt The basic cover consists of 3 rectangle pieces of felt to create the outer cover and the 2 inner flaps that your notebook slips into. First, take some measurements to determine the size of the rectangles you need. Once you have chosen the notebook you want to cover, use your tape measure to measure around the entire width of your notebook (from the back to the front, including the spine, if any). Add 1cm (3/8 in) to this measurement – this will be the whole width of your cover.
Now measure the height of your notebook, top to bottom. Add 5mm (¼in) to this measurement – this will be the height of your cover. You now have the rectangular dimensions (width x height) for the outer cover of your journal that you will cut out from the sheet of felt. For the inner flaps, subtract 8cm (3in) from the width of the outer cover dimensions and cut out a corresponding rectangle from the second sheet of felt. Cut this piece in half along its height. You now have your two inner flaps that will be sewn on the inside of the outer cover. Using a template, trace or copy the Deer scene. You can re-size them if you like using a photocopier. Cut out the templates and either pin the paper directly to the felt scraps, or trace onto the felt with a fabric marker.
When cutting out the felt pieces to be appliquéd onto your cover, I find that using small, sharp embroidery scissors with a fine point at the ends is most beneficial. Cut slowly and carefully around your templates to achieve the best results. Once you have all of your pieces cut out, it is time to arrange them on your cover.
Appliqué the cover To find the best placement of your appliqué pieces, take your large rectangle cover piece and wrap it loosely around your notebook, situating the overhang evenly. Now arrange that sweet little deer and your scene pieces on the cover until you feel they are just right.
You can pin them or use a tiny dab of glue stick to keep them in place, wait a few minutes for the glue to dry before you move on to the stitching. It’s now time to appliqué our little buddy to the cover. Using a straight stitch close to the edge of your appliqué piece, begin stitching around your shape, back-stitching at the beginning and end of your stitching to secure the thread. Stitch slowly. With your needle in the down position, lift your presser foot to pivot the cover when you come to a corner or sharp turn in the appliqué piece, and lower the presser foot before continuing to stitch. Repeat this process for all your appliqué pieces.
Once you have finished the appliqué on the cover, you can add a label or further embellishment to the inner flap pieces, if you wish.
Sew the cover together Gather up your 3 finished cover pieces. Place each of the inner-flap pieces on opposite ends of the large cover rectangle, wrong sides together and matching raw edges. Pin in place.
Firstly, stitch the cover and flaps together all along the top long edge of your cover using a 3mm (1/8 in) seam allowance and back-stitching neatly at the beginning and end of your line of stitches. Repeat this process for the long bottom edge.
Now stitch the remaining two side seams with a scant 5mm (¼in) seam allowance, again back-stitching at the start and end of your seam.
Cover the notebook To get your notebook all snuggled inside its brand new cover, you will need to open up your notebook and fold back the existing cover on itself. Fold your new felt cover in the same fashion. Gently slide the notebook cover into the inner flaps as shown.
If the cover is a little snug, don’t fret, as felt will stretch a little after a short time and ease into the perfect fit. There you have it, all ready to fill with your thoughts and dreams. Happy writing! TIP For a nice clean finish at the edges of your notebook cover, use a clear ruler and a rotary cutter to trim a straight line from your seam allowance around the outside edges of your notebook, making sure you don’t cut into your stitched seams.