DIY Embroidered Needlebook

DIY Needle Book

The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Do you make a habit of losing your embroidery needles? Correct that problem with a DIY needlebook that features your embroidery on the cover. Unlike a needle minder, a book like this keeps needles safely in place even when you stow your work for a while. Needle books also make excellent gifts for friends and family members who love to embroider or sew. 

This easy project starts with a small piece of embroidery. You can make something new just for this or grab something you've already made. The embroidery on the cover of the example was made using appliqué.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Scissors
  • Pins and/or sewing clips
  • Sewing machine (optional)
  • Thread

Materials

  • Embroidered fabric
  • Cotton fabric
  • Thin batting
  • Felt
  • Button
  • Doubled thread
  • Embroidery floss

Instructions

  1. Stack the Pieces

    Cut the embroidered fabric, cotton fabric, and batting into 4 1/2- x 6-inch rectangles. If necessary, adjust this size to accommodate your embroidery. Cut a 1- x 1 1/2-inch felt rectangle for the tab closure.

    Layer the pieces as follows: batting, embroidery, felt rectangle, and cotton fabric on top with the right side of the fabric down. The small felt piece should be along the edge that will be the back of the ​needlebook, as shown, and centered from top to bottom.

    Layer the Pieces
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
  2. Sew Around the Sides

    Pin or clip the sides with sewing clips. Sew around the rectangle, leaving an opening along the lower edge. Be sure to back stitch when you start and stop. Trim the corners to reduce bulk, but be careful so you don't clip the stitching.

    Sew the Edges
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
  3. Turn the Needle Book and Sew the Opening

    Turn the needlebook right side out and poke the corners into shape (a chopstick or the end of a small paintbrush work well for this). Sew the opening closed with ladder stitch, using a doubled thread and a regular sewing needle. To give the cover of the needlebook a finished look, stitch around the edge with running stitch. Use three strands of floss and a coordinating floss color.

    Stitch the Opening
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
  4. Stitch the Pages in Place

    Cut two 3 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch felt rectangles for the pages of the book. If you adjusted the size of the needlebook, modify these accordingly. Fold the pages in half and crease to mark the center. Fold the cover in half and crease the outside to mark the center of that side. Pin or clip the pages in place, then sew down the center spine with a double running stitch. Use three strands of embroidery floss.

    Sew the Pages
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson
  5. Stitch the Button and Finish the Details

    Fold the book in half and wrap the felt tab to the front. Use the end of the tab as a guide for the placement of the button. Sew the button to the front of the book. Cut a slit in the felt tab for a buttonhole. Be careful not to cut too much or the hole will be too large for the button.

    Tip

    Instead of a button, use snap fasteners that use a setting tool. This type looks more finished than sew-on snaps. If you want to use snaps, attach the pieces in the same location as you would place the button and buttonhole.

    Add Details
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson