Hey all! It’s finally my day in the blog hop for the Zakka Style Sew Along. I hope you have been playing along or at least admiring the projects of those who are. It’s been a lot of fun to see what people are making.
I’m going to share with you the next project in the book, the Elephant Bookmark, aptly titled “An Elephant Never Forgets”. I was feeling particularly whimsical on the day when I picked this out as my project. I think it was around the time I was working on that owl backpack 😉
The original design was made in a floral printed Linen. But I wanted to see what the bookmark looked like with a simpler fabric. So I used Robert Kaufman’s Essex Linen in Dusty Blue (a fabulous fabric by the way!). It’s a lovely blue grey color that just reminded me a bit of elephants. I’m literal that way. 😉
I also had the pleasure of using Cosmo Embroidery Floss for the first time on this project. I’m pretty new to the world of embroidery floss and I’ll admit that I was not expecting anything too different when I got the floss. But I’m not kidding when I say that I LOVE it. It gives such a beautiful finish. I weirdly just wanted to cover the elephants in a bunch of floss! lol Aren’t you glad I resisted the urge? Actually I did try, but it looked pretty bad so I pulled it out right away. It kind of looked like the elephants had the chickenpox. Not pretty.
I made this sweet gal first. I think my favorite part is her pretty bow. You can’t add too much to these guys to decorate them because they are bookmarks aka they need to stay pretty flat. So you only decorate one side and that cute head.
I got all fancy on the next one 😉 and decided to add some extra fabric and ribbon to dress him up. I like how this guy turned out. The orange is a nice contrast to the linen and scale of the print works well. I just added the fabric before I sewed the pieces together. Worked like a charm.
Tips and Tricks:
Well one of the things I loved about the design of this pattern is that you trace the image onto the fabric but you don’t cut it out until after you have sewn the two pieces together. That seemed genius to me. I fully expected to trace the elephant template onto two pieces of fabric, cut them out and then try to carefully piece them together. Her method is sooo much more forgiving. Just sew on the traced lines on one piece of fabric and then trim the fabric away afterwards!
Also, you have noticed that this bookmark is fairly tiny and has some fiddly bits like the feet and the trunk. They are as annoying to turn right side out as you might imagine. Oh and that tiny ear. I had all of pieces lined with interfacing and that was just NOT helping me turn the pieces right side out. My point turning tool kept getting caught in the interfacing and had fusible adhesive on it. I ended up using some small scissors to push my points out and that seemed to work better for whatever reason.
All in all, it’s a cute little design that would be a sweet gift for a younger person in your life. Who doesn’t need a bookmark?!
Those are so cute! When I get a sewing book, I look for directions that use clear language and have pictures taken from an easy to understand perspective. I dislike directions that have any ounce of ambiguity. Thanks for the giveaway!
And I am a follower of yours! Yay!
I always look for lots of pictures and easy to understand instructions. Of course, cute projects too!
I'm also a follower!!
Darling bookmarks…can't wait to try mine! I look for books with projects that I'm actually going to make. Some are so pretty to look at, but in my heart I know that they're just not going to happen. It's so much more fun when I can't wait to get started on the project once I get the book home!
I follow your blog faithfully through Google Reader!
I have a lot of sewing/quilting books on my shelf that look great, but I have never made anything from. Lately I've been trying to scrutinize and buy only ones that I will likely make at least 3-4 projects from. That's why I like these blog tours-they give you a chance to see actual projects from the book.
The elephant book marks are really cute (but I would probably never make one)
I'm a follower & love your blog!
I would get a book that has a pattern I really love and couldn't come up with myself, especially if the actual pattern pieces are included (and not pattern pieces that you somehow are expected to blow up by some weird number like 317% on your own in order to make something.)
I'm a follower!
I love the little elephants! If I can see myself making more than 3 projects in the book, then I'll buy it. If I only want to make one or two, then I will usually set it back on the shelf and think about it for a while.
And I'm a follower. Oh I am so hoping to win the Aurifil thread! I must be the only quilter in the whole world who has never experienced this superior thread…!!!
I will buy a book if there are multiple projects that I want to make or it has a new skill that I really want to learn.
I'm a follower.
I like cute projects that are do-able but still somewhat challenging. I also like books that have templates/pattern pieces that do NOT need to be enlarged!
I follow your blog via google reader.
I am a follower!
I want to see projects that I want to make!
I go for clear, beautiful photography, and projects that fit my sense of style: I will not be keen on a project if the mock-up isn't in fabrics that inspire me. Projects that show a technique and then show alternative ways to use it are also really good.
And I follow via RSS.
Very cute! I like books that have a different spin on crafts or sewing projects without going crazy 🙂
I'm a follower!
I love a book with great photos and concise clear instructions.
I put back a book that has filler items that I would never want to make.
Very cute bookmarks! I rarely buy books any more! I have such a stash of them already and usually don't use them! Thanks for the chance to win some Aurifil, which I do love@
I am a follower!
I look for designs that I can actually see myself making and the price is a big factor. If it is too much I will put it back and search for it online in a second hand store.
Also, have you tried haemostats for turning your smaller pieces. I used them for dolls when I was making porcelain dolls that had tiny arms and legs and they work really well. Search for them in medical supply stores or in your local craft store.
Love the elephant pair, they look wonderful.
I want to see projects that I fell that I could accomplish even if it is a bit of a stretch. I love to see it in at least one additional option, even if it is a mini. It helps if it is done in a similar aesthetic to mine.
I am a follower of your blog. I love reading your posts and seeing what you have been making.
I'm a happy follower.
I have become a follower of your blog! (I love your stuff!)
I look for NEW techniques, pretty pictures, and projects I have not yet considered trying
I'm a follower.
When I buy a book I want to learn something and also know there is more than one project in the book I want to make.
I am a follower!
I look for interesting, helpful photos, and a easy to follow format. Of course more than anything I look for patterns that I'd really like to make OR that inspire me to create something.
I love this little bookmark project! We have a running joke in our family that my eldest has the memory of an elephant. It's funny, but oh-so-true. She remembers *everything*! 🙂
As to what I look for in a craft book, mainly I look to see if I'd actually use the finished projects. I've bought so many craft books over the years that had gorgeous projects, but didn't make a single one. Now, I've wised up and look carefully at the projects inside before buying. I've set aside many books simply because I know I'd never use anything inside (no matter how gorgeous the finished items are!).
Thanks for the chance to win!
I'm a follower. Thanks again for a great giveaway!
The book has to have at least two projects that I KNOW I will make. Only one and it goes back. It helps if I like a ton of the projects, but the undeniable urge to make two is key. Photography is also extremely important!
the book needs to have at least half of the projects that I want to make.
I am a happy follower of your blog – thanks for the chance to win!
I follow your blog through Google Reader
I follow your blog via Google reader.
Hi! Nice blog, a friend just shared it with me, I am enjoying reading. For craft books – if the technique is something I would do, and projects have clear instructions for the tricky parts, there is room for improvising, and, the result is something useful, I would be likely to take it. If the projects are silly, (useless and/or not beautiful), uninspired, or are full of hearts snd teddybears, it stays where it is.
Honestly, I find that I very rarely buy craft books that are about projects. I don't use patterns for quilts. I tend to develop my own or can duplicate a quilt without a pattern.
I actively look for new techniques that are well-explained and well illustrated. I'd much prefer to learn something new than to have patterns for quilts that I'll never make.
I also enjoy books on the history of quilting. I almost prefer those to anything else.
I'm a follower
I am a follower – I didn't know there was a thread card, nifty!
I'll buy a book if I know that I'd sew the majority of the projects (if I had the time) and those with a strong design element to the projects. Thanks for the giveaway.
In books, I look for well written directions, including diagrams to help with tricky spots so I'm sure everything is in the right place. I can't say how many times I've been zipping along and then been stopped in my tracks by something confusing without a diagram to reference so I can figure it out.
I look for lots of photos and bright modern colours. I am not very good at seeing past traditional books and their modern possibilities unfortunately. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am a follower.