Embroidered Felt Bookmarks

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Today is a day I have been looking forward to all year. Two years ago I started what has now become an annual series on my blog- Book Inspired Craft Week. It is a week long series around the first week of March, which is also right around Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss's Birthday. Every year my kids schools do a week of special activities, dress up days, read-a-thons, etc. and a couple years ago I thought, I love books and I love crafts, why not combine the two and join in the reading themed fun. Each day I choose a book that is either one that I remember loving when I was a kid, or one that has been a favorite of my kids or other family members, or that have some kind of connection to. I try to include a variety of picture books and chapter books, but all kid friendly. 

For Day 1 of the 3rd Annual Book Inspired Craft Week I chose to feature the book Fritz and the Beautiful Horses. My mom has always loved Jan Brett books and we always had several of them. I feel like some of her other books are a little more well known than this one, books like The Mitten, and we had those too. I loved looking at the artwork in all of her books, but this one was always one of my favorites. In addition to the artwork I also loved the story of the little pony Fritz. 

When I decided I was going to make a project inspired by this book I knew I wanted to take inspiration from the artwork. The clothing that the people in the book are wearing and the harnesses and decorative elements on the horses are so detailed and I wanted to use that in my project. I decided they would be great inspiration for embroidery. 

Since a lot of the intricate designs were borders and straps I decided to create some simple embroidery designs and turn them into bookmarks. I embroidered the designs on felt. I made the bookmarks with 2 layers, with most of the designs embroidered on the top layer and only the outside stitching going through both layers so that is the only thing that you see on the back. 

I chose to make 3 different designs- one with simple lazy-daisy flowers, one with little diamonds, and one with a little flower and vine pattern. All 3 patterns are included in the instructions below to print and use, but you could easily make your own designs by looking at the patterns in the illustrations too. 

How to Make Embroidered Felt Bookmarks

You will need:

• Felt in desired shades
• Embroidery Floss in desired shades
• Embroidery Needle
• Embroidered Bookmark Pattern- PDF Download
• Stick and Stitch
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Ruler

Instructions:

Print the embroidery designs onto a sheet of Stick and Stitch and cut out. The designs should be about 1" wide and 5" long. Or you can create your own designs. 

Choose 2 colors of felt for each bookmark, one for the top layer and one for the back layer.

Cut the Felt as follows:

    back layer- 2" x 6"

    top layer- 1.5" x 5.5"

Stick the printed design to the top layer of felt. 

Embroider the center design using the colors and stitches that you want onto the top layer only.

Put the two layers together and stitch around to attach, I used 1 or 2 rounds of backstitch or a blanket stitch around the edge of the top layer. Work through both layers as this is what attaches the back to the top. 

Wash away the dissolvable paper and let dry.