Across the Pond for a Good Read

It is that time of year when I just want to curl up on the sofa, warm and cosy with a cup of tea and a good book.  So I was thrilled when Susie picked this month’s Across the Pond sew-along project – BOOKMARKS.  

Quilting and sewing has its roots in the make-do-and-mend era, when every last scrap was put to good use. Susie has embraced this tradition by creating a wonderful little pattern that is created from scraps that we would normally throw away – fabric selvages and zipper trimmings.   

Susie's FREE Selvage Bookmark

As soon as Susie's FREE Selvage Bookmark pattern landed in my inbox I knew I had to make it.  I always have lots of selvages that I save for my Tea-and-Books mug rug so I had all the trimmings to hand. For this project I pulled some of my green selvages.

Half an hour of simple quilt-as-you-go sewing and hey-presto – a super little present to accompany a quilt book for a sewing friend this Christmas.  

I love the little zippered tail - such a cute idea.

But my designer mind wouldn’t leave this month’s theme alone and one morning I woke with a little FREE bookmark pattern all of my own – the Country Heart Bookmark.   

The Country Heart Bookmark available FREE in my Craftsy Store

First I made two in country checks and gingham .....  

 

Then I decided grey felt always looks nice with a touch of red and another two were made .... 

Which got me thinking it might be quite nice to patch the inner fabric from 2½” squares ...... 

And what about Christmas red  ....... 

Playing with fabric, felt, selvages and trimmings has never been so much fun (or addictive).  You’ve gotta try it.  

And when you are done be sure to post your finished bookmarks to Instagram and tag me in @thepatchsmith so we can all ‘oooh’ and ‘aaah’ at your creations.  

Until next time.........