Scrapbooking and Sewing Supplies

From LoveToKnow Scrapbooking

For many crafters, scrapbooking and sewing supplies are a natural combination. Sewing and sewing-related embellishments can be used to add depth, texture, and visual interest to almost any layout.

Sewing can add an interesting touch to your scrapbooking projects.

Using Your Sewing Machine on Your Pages

If you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive way to embellish your scrapbooking projects, dig out your sewing machine. Even introductory level sewing machines offer multiple stitching options, including zig-zag stitches and stitches originally intended to create buttonholes or stretchable seams. However, it’s a good idea to practice on old scraps of cardstock and patterned paper before you attempt to stitch on your layout. Even if you’re an experienced seamstress, stitching on paper is a new technique that requires some practice.

While most people do use thread to stitch on their layouts, you may want to try stitching with no thread to add a subtle and understated embellishment. This technique is also handy for times when you don’t have thread that matches the supplies you are using on your scrapbook layout.

Hand Stitching on Layouts

If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, you can still combine scrapbooking and sewing supplies by hand stitching on your layouts. For example:

Monograms, embroidered flowers, and simple geometric shapes are fun to create and suitable for a wide variety of scrapbook layout themes.
A simple cross stitch in each corner of your dominant photo is an easy way to add a charming touch to your project.
To use up old scraps of patterned paper, whip stitch the chunks together to create a custom background with a crazy-quilt appearance. Choose papers with similar colors or patterns for the most harmonious look.
Stitch together two sheets of paper to make a pocket to hold memorabilia on your layout.

Hand stitching works best on paper that is fairly thin, since multiple layers of patterned paper and cardstock are much thicker than a piece of fabric. You may also find it helpful to pre-punch the holes for your stitches by using an anywhere hole punch intended for setting eyelets or a paper piecer.

If you have access to a die cut machine, you can also try experimenting with making your own unique page accents by adding hand stitching to felt shapes. For example, all it takes is a few simple stitches and a pretty button center to turn a die cut felt flower into a charming embellishment for your layout.

New Embellishment Options

In addition to stitching directly onto your layouts, you can combine your love of scrapbooking and sewing supplies by using items from your sewing kit as embellishments. Here are a few options to consider:

Buttons are a very versatile scrapbooking embellishment. Stitch buttons onto your pages to make a colorful border or a pretty decorative mat. You can also use buttons as a substitute for bullets in list-style journaling.
Ribbon and fibers can be used to add textural appeal to a variety of scrapbooking projects. Add them to a tag, tie them into bows, or stitch them directly onto your layout.
It’s becoming increasingly common for scrapbookers to incorporate fabric scraps into their layouts as an inexpensive substitute for patterned papers. You can decorate fabric with rub ons or stamps, then stitch it to your page. Depending upon the type of printer you have, you may also be able to print photos or journaling directly onto your fabric.