PROJECT: EMBROIDERED END-PAPERS

You know that my Embroidered Lotus Journal is already stitched on the outside, but did you know you can stitch it on the inside too? Oh yes, you can! Ima show you how. Get ready to learn a whole new use for the transfers!

~WIN THIS PROJECT~
If you can answer the question in Step Three, you win this journal I stitched up as the example!

x - x - x - x - x

What: Lotus Journal Embroidered Endpapers

Who: You!

When: Right now! Or, when you have time. Give yourself 1-2 hours

Easiness Level: Beginner to Intermediate

You'll Need:

Sublime Stitching Lotus Journal
(or a journal with heavy, blank end-papers)

Needle and Floss

Iron

Embroidery Transfers
(or your own design)

x - x - x - x - x

THE BIG IDEA:

Step One: Transfer the Pattern
This might seem just plain weird to do: ironing on paper. But if you're careful, it will turn out just like when transferring to fabric. You will pre-heat the paper just as you would your fabric. Lay the pattern, ink-side down, and then press and pass your iron over it. Check for darkness, and repeat if necessary.

CAREFUL WHEN IRONING ON PAPER!
The hotter the iron, the more easily the ink will transfer, but if it's too hot, you may curl or even scorch the paper. Try to find that happy medium... It will probably curl a little bit no matter what, which is easily fixed: close the book, weight it down and let it cool. You also want to make doubly sure that the steam setting is OFF. Also, remember that we are working on heavier card-like paper. Not office printer paper. The thinner the paper, the trickier it is to get good results (and harder to stitch on). 

Houston: We have pattern transfer. (Roger that.)
Lookit that! It's like magic! You can use any transfer pattern your little heart desires,
but this one I used is from my Sublime Stitching book.

Step Two: Start Pokin'
With an unthreaded needle, pass it completely from front to back (not back-to-front) to pre-poke your holes. Why front-to-back? Because it will create a little raised bur on the backside (see next photo). I chose this design because the places where holes will go are already pretty easy to determine: at each endpoint and whereever the lines meet. If you are working with another design, I suggest making your holes about 1/4" apart and working in the simple, but charming back stitch.

SHOW ME YOUR...
I know you want to see the back. Here it is! Those 'burs' I mentioned earlier.

Step Three: Stitch It Up

I used all six-strands of cotton floss. Remember to start from behind your work, and this is a time when you might want to skip the knots and instead weave your tail along the backside of your stitches. If you know how to work a back stitch, you know how to do this.

PRIZE-WINNING QUESTION:
Do you know what stitch this is? Answer in comments below- first to answer correctly will get my journal!

ETA: We have a winner, and her name is sewadorable.

Lovely! Now when you open up the cover, there is even more stitching inside to greet you. And, you certainly don't have to stop there...

You could even keep stitching on the pages inside, or continue using the transfers as templates for painting and embellishing in other ways. Have fun! ~Jenny

  You Might Also Dig:

Sublime Stitching Journal

Stitchable Stationery

These floss colors

Transfer Patterns

More projects!