Looking for the perfect gift for your book-loving friends? Try these adorable, hand-embroidered paper bookmarks for book lovers DIY! Your book club buddies will love them!
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If you are:
- In a book club
- Love to read
- Know someone who loves to read
- Looking for a handmade, inexpensive gift for the book lovers in your life
Then this post is for you!
The Inspiration:
A few months ago, I joined a book club here in our new town, and have loved getting to meet new friends with a similar interest in reading.
Although I have only been part of the group a few short months, we have read some great books, and I’m so looking forward to what’s in store for our book club next year!
We meet once a month, and at our December book club meeting next month, each member is to bring a small gift for a gift exchange.
For those who have been around Home Sweet Harps for long, you know I love intentional and thoughtful gifts, especially handmade ones.
I use my embroidery skills all the time to make handmade keepsakes for friends and family, and look to use them this holiday season!
This year, I tried my hand at paper embroidery, like these embroidered paper Christmas gift tags, and embroidery on paper bookmarks. I loved these crafts so much, and wanted to do something similar for my book club gals!
Incorporating embroidery into my gift exchange present is a great way to let my new friends know more about me and my interests. And of course, I had to keep it book themed!
With a few quick sketches, and some perusing the internet, I put together three embroidered paper bookmarks for book lovers. And now I get to share them with you! I will share the free template below!
This is such a fun, simple project, and is a great one for beginners! If you have embroidered before, using cardstock instead of fabric is definitely different, so make sure you check out my tips!
So let’s get to it!
Materials:
Materials needed for these embroidered paper bookmarks:
- 2 blank white cardstock bookmarks – these ones come with tassels!
- Embroidery floss*
- Sewing needles*
- Pattern (optional- but I do have a free one for you here!)
- Scissors
How to Embroider on Cardstock
1. Using pencil, sketch your design where you want on the bookmark. (Or use my free pattern!) See notes below on how to trace this pattern.
2. Thread your needle* using three strands.
3. When stitching the main designs, I three main stitches:
Satin stitch – I used the satin stitch to fill large sections of the patterns (books, coffee mug, etc.)
Stem stitch – the stem stitch can be used for stems or lettering.
French knot – this adds flowers and/or polka dots.
4. For this project, I used a fine-point sharpie marker for the lettering so the quote would stand out from the stitching!
5. Once you are happy with your design, you will attach a second bookmark using a running stitch*. Attaching a second bookmark will hide the ugly backside of your design, and create a border for your bookmark.
And that’s it! Simple enough to finish in one or two sittings!
Embroidered Paper Bookmarks for Book Lovers DIY
Looking for the perfect gift for your book-loving friends? Try these adorable, hand-embroidered paper bookmarks for book lovers DIY! Your book club buddies will love them!
Notes
How do I keep my sketches clean?
When sketching your design, it may be helpful to use simple dots or faded lines so it can be easily covered by your thread, or erased later!
What size sewing needle should be used for embroidering on paper?
Remember, when working with cardstock, you want to use a small sewing needle. You’re working with paper, so making large holes can cause tears, and won’t allow you to keep your stitches close together. Stick with size 8 or 9.
What kind of stitches should be used on embroidered paper projects?
For this project, I stuck with satin stitch, and stem stitch throughout.
If you tried these bookmarks at home, I would LOVE to see them over on Instagram! @homesweetharps
Notes:
How do I keep my sketches clean?
Using paper for embroidery makes it difficult to trace a pattern. You can cut out the pattern to trace, but it does tend to be easier to sketch it out. If you’re worried about your drawing skills, don’t fret!
When sketching your design, it may be helpful to use simple dots or faded lines so it can be easily covered by your thread, or erased later!
What size sewing needle should be used for embroidering on paper?
Remember, when working with cardstock, you want to use a small sewing needle. You’re working with paper, so making large holes can cause tears, and won’t allow you to keep your stitches close together. Stick with size 8 or 9.
What kind of stitches should be used on embroidered paper projects?
For this project, I stuck with satin stitch, and stem stitch, and the French knot throughout. I use a running stitch to create the border around the bookmark. This also holds the two bookmarks together.
Running Stitch Helpful Hint:
When doing the running stitch, you can use your thumb nail as a stitch guide! Simply mark the size stitch you want with pen or marker, and use that to keep your stitches the same length. (Example in photo above).
I love to create and share simple patterns with you. They are scattered throughout my posts, so I combined them here for you to check out:
These are so stinking cute! You have the best ideas.
Thanks so much Nikki!
These are SO cute! Love this idea! ❤️❤️
Thanks Katie, they’re so fun to make!