DIY Network

Creating Fun Fabric Books Learn how to create unique fabric books. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-116

Guest Jan Bode Smiley joins host Jennifer Perkins and shares ideas on different ways to create one-of-a-kind fabric books that are fun.

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	Guest Jan Bode Smiley shows you how to create a fun fabric book.
	Figure A
	You can weave any pattern you desire—as seen here.

Project designed by Jan Bode Smiley.

Materials:

fabrics—a variety of colors and patterns—new or recycled from favorite garments

Note: Start with 2-5 fabrics (figure A) that might work together. No scrap is too small. There is no need for anything larger than 10" x 15". Include at least one fabric that is a solid or light color so you can stamp on it and layer it on your page.

canvas or craft fleece (for the base that will support the pages)
rubber stamps that support your theme
alphabet rubber stamp or rub on letters
acrylic paints or stamp pads to use with your stamps
trims—fibers, twill, ribbon, buttons, etc. in colors that work with your fabrics
embellishments that support your theme
scissors—sharp enough to cut your fabric
fabric pens or markers if you want to include words
interesting papers and/or ephemera that work with your fabric and theme (i.e. for a coffee theme, include artwork from coffee packages, coffee filters, ads for coffee)

Optional Materials:

embroidery floss or pearl cotton thread in colors that work with your fabrics
hand sewing needle in size appropriate for your threads
hole punch
rotary cutter with regular or decorative edge blade
sewing machine

Creating Fun Fabric Books

1. Using acrylic paints or a stamp pad appropriate for fabric, stamp images onto some of your solid color fabrics.

2. Cut or tear the fabrics for your pages to whatever size you like. Be sure to cut the fabric twice as wide as you want the finished pages, so you can fold it in the center to create the "gutter" of your fabric book.

3. Arrange your stamped images and ephemera on each page and spread.

4. Glue or hand stitch to keep items in place.

5. Add any text you want to include: coffee quotes, favorite coffee shop names, etc.

6. Add handwork, fasteners, brads, eyelet buttons, etc.

7. Cut canvas and craft fleece slightly smaller than your pages, and sandwich them between your decorated pages.

8. Finish the edges of your page with hand stitching, machine stitching, or by gluing twill tape or a narrow strip of fabric around the edges.

9. Sign your work.

RESOURCES :

The Art of Fabric Books: Innovative Ways to Use Fabric in Scrapbooks, Altered Book and More
Jan Bode Smiley
ISBN: 1571202811
January, 2005
C & T Publishing

GUESTS :

Jan Bode Smiley
E-mail: jan@jansmiley.com
Website: www.jansmiley.com