We are berry excited to bring you this new tutorial from Maker Team member Ashley of @ashleylewiscreates: a Strawberry Basket Bookmark! From the delicate stitched strawberry seeds to the perfect summer colors, everything about this project is delicious. Make your own and then make some for your friends. The more, the berrier merrier!
Whether your summer reading finds you at the beach, in the mountains, or inside in the air conditioning, this bookmark is the perfect accessory to mark your place and add some whimsy to your latest read!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 2 1/2 - 3 Hours
Additional Supplies:
Strawberry Basket Pattern (click to download)
Iron
Glue Stick
Directions:
1. Download Strawberry Basket Pattern above and print out. Trace pattern pieces onto matte side of freezer paper. Trace letter labels as well.
2. Cut apart pieces by felt color as labeled on pattern. Place shiny side of freezer paper on corresponding felt color and iron on low heat.
Do not attempt to iron acrylic felt, as it will melt. Benzie's wool blend and wool felt will allow you to use this technique without melting.
3. Cut out all the pieces and leave freezer paper attached until a later step to stay organized.
4. Cut two 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" squares from Linen felt.
5. Remove freezer paper from Strawberry A. Use two strands of DMC 743 to add small, singular lazy daisy stitches to mimic seeds. Repeat this step for Strawberries B-F and one Strawberry G. Set aside both G Strawberries.
Use two strands of embroidery floss for all stitching unless otherwise noted.
6. Take one Linen felt square and layer as follows: Peacock trapezoid (about 1/2" from bottom), Swan Basket Base (with bottom aligned over trapezoid), Swan Basket Top (centered and partially overlapping Basket Base.) Pin in place.
7. With DMC 503, straight stitch around perimeter of berry basket (through all the layers) except top and sides of Basket Top piece.
8. Arrange Strawberries A-F at top of basket, tucking bottom ones beneath open top edge. Overlap strawberries slightly, as you'll be concealing your stitches under the overlapping edges. See picture below for placement guidance or arrange as you want.
Once satisfied with strawberry placement, use a glue stick to baste in place.
9. Use DMC 503 to straight stitch top and side edges of Basket Top through all layers. This will secure strawberries tucked into basket.
10. Lift each overlapping strawberry edge one at a time. Straight stitch bottom edge to backing with DMC 321. Be sure stitches are hidden beneath overlapping strawberry. Do not stitch between Strawberries B and F (top left.) This spot will serve as a pocket for the last strawberry.
11. Cut an 8" length of ribbon. Place one end of ribbon between pair of Strawberries G at top center. Baste together with glue stick.
12. Blanket stitch around perimeter of Strawberry G with DMC 321. Be sure to go through ribbon along top edge to secure. Set aside.
13. Set aside Leaves F and G. Remove freezer paper from remaining Leaves and arrange on each berry. Once satisfied, baste with glue stick.
14. Create long straight stitches from center of Leaves to each point and through all layers beneath. Use DMC 368 for Sage Leaves and DMC 3346 for Meadow Leaves.
15. Take Leaf F and stitch it as in Step 14, only attaching it to its corresponding strawberry - not through all the layers. To securely attach, make a couple extra stitches that just go through berry and bottom layer of Sage felt.
16. Make similar stitches with DMC 321 to secure Strawberry B to F. Do not stitch through Linen felt layer. Stitch in under Leaf to conceal them.
17. Take Leaves G and strawberry connected to ribbon. Place first leaf under strawberry and ribbon and the second on top, lined up and centered at top of berry.
18. Starting from between Leaves G, make a straight stitch from center to leaf point. Flip over and go back from point to center. Continue until all leaf points on both sides have a stitch. If top needs more stability, pass needle through inside layer of felt on each side until leaves feel secure.
Pull floss up through top of leaves and tie off. Push needle back down into strawberry to pull floss ends inside. Trim any ends sticking out.
19. Line up Linen felt backing with second Linen square. Pin together. Cut through both layers around basket and berries, leaving a 1/4" margin of felt.
20. Use DMC B5200 to blanket stitch Linen felt together. At top center, tuck end of ribbon opposite the strawberry between layers. Make several additional stitches through ribbon to secure, then continue blanket stitching around perimeter until fully stitched.
Your strawberry basket bookmark is complete! Time for a good book.
Tuck your berry basket inside when you're finished to mark your spot - or read it cover to cover and keep your basket as a cute accessory!
Thanks to Ashley for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @ashleylewiscreates. Stay tuned for more tutorials from the Benzie Design Maker Team!
