fabric book, part 1

I have been working on a special project

for my niece's (baby K) first birthday.

I decided to make her a fabric book.

I was inspired by the quiet book of Girl. Inspired.

Hers is beautiful, she has a great sew-along tutorial.

I of course changed it a little, hers was made for an older girl.

For the cover, I used a pattern for an embroidery design by French Knots

and made it into an applique that I machine stitched.

I hand embroidered the face details,

and I used my embroidery machine to stitch my niece's name.

It gives the cover a little retro look.

The first page is totally based on the tutorial,

I made a lady bug with black felt,

red pattern fabric and a 4inch zipper.

I did not make any little bugs, I was too afraid she would eat them,

at one, everything goes in the mouth!

The next page was a lot of fun to design: water based!

If I remember babies properly, they like to touch and feel different textures,

so I used interesting fabrics for appearance and feel.

I made my own pattern for the mermaid

and appliqued her by machine.

The water is some Halloween lame fabric, very shiny!

I cut out some happy and smiley sea creatures that were also machine appliqued,

a lot of zigzagged edges in this book!

Next page is a fish bowl,

well octopus bowl!

I used another fish fabric for the background of the bowl,

and applique over it some tulle.

I first bind the tulle with some blue cotton to made it sturdier,

little hands can be really rough!

With my embroidery machine, I made a little octopus on some white linen,

put some batting inside as to make a little pillow,

it is interactive but there are no danger of swallowing!

Next time I will share the rest of the book,

I hope she likes it!

Here is the second part of the book.

Happy sewing!