Jane Austin Bookmark

While finishing the Jane Austin bookmark, I took some pics as I went along to share here on my blog how I did it.  I found that this technique covers the back of the stitching and leaves a nice clean finish.  If interested, you can find the design in June’s issue of The Gift of Stitching.

Here are the general instructions that you can adapt to any size bookmark:

Measuring and trimming your stitched design:

To leave a 1″ fringe on the ends – trim ends 1 and 1/4″ from the border design. (This leaves a 1/4″ area between the design border and the fringe).

To determine the how much to trim along the length of each side of the bookmark – measure the width of the book plus 1″ sewing margin (1/2″ for each side) and take that measurement and divide that by 2.  Measure and trim this amount from each side of the bookmark.

Finishing:

With right side facing, fold in half and lightly crease the fold.  Making sure the crease runs along the center of the design –  pin to secure.

Using a 1/2″ allowance, sew a seam along the length of the bookmark.   Remove pins and trim the seam allowance to 1/4″

Turn right-side out and adjust so the design is centered in the front and the seam runs along the center of the backside.  Iron flat making sure that the inside seam allowance  lays to one side.

Top stitch about 1/4″ from the design across the width of the bookmark on each end.  Create fringe by removing the horizontal threads along the ends until you reach the top stitch seams.  I use a pin to help with this. If needed, trim fringe.