Part 4 of Our Special Feature - Journals
A Series Project by Janet Carija Brandt

With the conclusion of this series, Janet also offers us a special BONUS project, a versatile Removable Sketchbook Cover. We hope you’ve enjoyed the series, and invite you to use it as the basis for class sessions centered around not only journaling, but also the creative merchandising of wools, cotton prints and various embellishments!

Review Part 1 – Basic Journal
Review Part 2 – Bound Journal
Review Part 3 – Quilt Journal

MATERIALS
2 pieces of wool, 8” x 12” each
1 yard pastel cotton for backing and measuring edge
½ yard each of 4 pastel cottons
Pigma pens
Small pieces of coordinating wool for cover appliqué and handles

All seams are ¼”

Cut 1 piece for backing 8 ¼” x 0”
Cut 1 piece for measuring strip 2 ¼” x 0”
Cut 10 pieces 5 ½” x 6 ½” in an assortment of the pastel cottons
Cut 10 pieces 3 ¾” x 6 ½” in an assortment of the pastel cottons

On the smaller cotton pieces fold over a 1” hem on one long side of each. Hem with a decorative stitch.

Line up the unstitched long edge of each small piece to one edge of each large piece, with both right sides facing up. Randomly match the colors. Baste together along bottom (long) edge.

Join all of the sets together, right sides together, the single edge of one set lined up with the basted edge of another. Press the long strip so the smaller hemmed pocket flaps are all lying in the same direction.

With right sides together, stitch the long narrow yellow strip to the pieced pockets. Press open. With right sides together, stitch backing fabric to pieced front. Leave a small opening along one of the long edges to turn fabric right side out. Then slip stitch the opening. Lay growth chart out flat and line up a yardstick (or use the grid on your cutting board). Starting at the bottom, mark each inch along the outside edge of the yellow strip.

Embellish front cover. The flowers shown on the sample are included here. Cut flowers, stems and leaves from wool. Machine stitch in place. Add any other design elements you like. I used old-fashioned diaper pins for leaves, and some label frames from a scrap booking store for the children’s names.

Cut 2 strips of wool, ½” x 5 ½” each, for the handles.

Line up the inside cover and the outer cover. Insert ends of the handles between the cover layers. Use a decorative top stitch around the outside edge to sew all of the layers together.
Hand stitch the top end of the growth chart to one end of the inside front cover.
Carefully cut slits on back cover to fit the buttons you chose.