For the Sew Mama Sew needle testing blog post I made up a few little needle books. They’ll be giving ten of them away, filled with the eight different needles we used in the testing. Go comment over there for a chance to win one for yourself.
In case you don’t win and want to make one up for yourself, I thought I’d let you know how I made them. They are pretty quick and a great way to use up some scraps.
You’ll need:
- 4” x 7” piece of outer fabric (I used the Tula Pink Elizabeth collection)
- 4” x 7” piece of inner fabric (I used RK’s Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Chambray)
- 4” x 7” piece of batting
- 3” x 6” piece of wool felt
- hair elastic cut in half or 2” piece of elastic braid
- 3/4” button
- coordinating thread
Mark center of one short end of outer fabric. This will be the back of the needle book.
Baste elastic at center point, creating a loop.
Layer batting, then outer and inner fabrics (RST) and pin at corners.
Sew around edges with a 1/4” seam, leaving a 1 1/2” to 2” gap on one long side.
Trim batting close to stitching line around entire rectangle.
Trim corners.
Turn inside out, using a point turner and press.
Using a ladder stitch, sew the hole used for turning closed.
Press again and top stitch, if desired.
Mark proper button placement by pulling elastic band around to front.
Sew button in place.
Fold felt in half and press to mark stitching line.
Fold needle book together with outer fabric touching itself. Mark center with pins.
Place felt on unfolded needle book, matching stitching line with pins. Pin in place.
Stitch along fold line, from top to bottom and back-stitching at each end.
Trim threads, put some needles in the felt, fold in half and button to keep it closed.
I decided to add a little tape measure ribbon, muslin for holding buttons and/or safety pins, and a pocket to the back for my own, but you can make it as simple or complicated as you’d like.
Don’t forget to read the post and enter to win, if you’d like one already made and with a trial array of needles!
Those are so pretty. I keep my needles with my pins in a felted wool pin cushion, but I think I like this idea better.
Beautiful! thank you!
Pingback: Handmade Holidays Nov. 1: Gifts for Crafty People | Sew Mama Sew
It seems very lovely and useful. I always loose needles while carrying material from one place to another. And then it turns into nightmare till I found it with my eyes.
So simple, so perfect…….thank you
Where can you get the measuring tape in fabric form?
You can find something similar at Fat Quarter Shop: https://www.fatquartershop.com/antique-ruler-twill-tape
I used to use these all the time when I was a child and often thought of making them for relatives as gifts, now I’m an adult I think I’ll make them as gifts for all my lovely W.I. friends, they are just so appropriate and cute! Thank you.
These will be perfect for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts that will include sewing kits for older girls. Thanks so much