A Simple Tutorial On Fabric Scrap Books

Everyday Things had so very nicely asked for a tutorial on how to make these fabric scrap books. First of all, I did not follow a tutorial and I have searched. There may be one out there, I just never found it. The funny thing is that I dreamed that I was making these, and while it was still fresh in my mind, quickly went to the craft room and began the process. I also went to the blogs where I saw finished scrap books or journals and looked closely at them. 

Here is basically what I did

• I cut out several squares of muslin about 8x8 inches to use as the base of the page. ( I used muslin because I wanted a neutral base) This can be a personal thing as there is no right or wrong size, it is up to you how big or small you want your journal/scrap book pages to be. 
• I have not mastered how to print on fabric yet, so I just printed out on regular printer paper the images I wanted to use. I did not want to use the originals. 
• I have many scraps of fabric, lace, doilies, ric rac, trim etc and started to just sew sew sew. Everything just came together as a collage. I am one of those that does not really think too much about it before I just start cutting or sewing. I didn't want it to look perfect. I prefer the shabby and disheveled look in this project. I also used music paper to make embellishements like hearts and back grounds as well as burlap scraps and old linen flour bags. One of the pages was made from an old linen napkin instead of the muslin backing. 

There is no rhyme or reason for any placement of the scraps and pieces that I used. When finished with the machine sewing, I went through my button jar and hand sewed buttons here and there. 

Now these are not complete. Meaning, there is no backing on them. On the reverse side of these, you can see all of the sewing stitches on the muslin. I will probably sew two pages back to back OR will make simple backs using muslin and just sew around the edges to attach. I have not bound the scrap book/journal yet and am still trying to decide how that was done, but will give updates once I have all the pages complete. I want to do 7 more pages yet. 

1. My great grandparents - my mom had a nice photo I will photocopy
2. My parents wedding photo
3. My brother  - not sure of a photo yet
4. My sister  - not sure of a photo yet
5. My oldest son using his band's cover photo
6. My youngest son using a military  photo
7. My granddaughter in her princess dress

Sadly, I do not have any pictures that go past my great grandparents. I am not sure why we as a family do not have them, but we just don't. I will print all of the photos in sepia and will do special/themed pages for my siblings and children/granddaughter. My brothers page and my oldest son's page will done with a music base, my youngest son will be done in a military style with Americana like look, my granddaughters page will be frilly and princessy (I know not a word...haha) and I am still undecided on my sisters page. 

I will keep updating as I make more pages and have the finished look. I have ideas on how to bind them all together as stated above, but will share what I did when it is completed. For now, it is all about making the pages for me. 

I hope this helps and please stop by Everyday Things blog as I appreciate her interest in this project. 

Here are some of the blogs that I went to to help me with this project as well - no tutorials, just pictures

Suziqu's Threadworks - she does beautiful work! I only wish I was that good!!!

Rambling Rose there looks to be a binding tutorial there, but I am not sure about some of it...she also does fabulous work. 

I found both of these through Pinterest pins I have on my boards. 

Have a great day!!!