Each page is made with a heavy type weight of tshirt type material. The stitched on designs on each page will be done before sewing the top pages together with their blank back page. The double thickness of the thick tshirt will make the pages more appealing and also more durable. There are seven completed pages in all, including the cover. Therefore, you will need to cut fourteen squares, approximately eight inches square each.
Make the applique designs on each page, before sewing the front part of the page to the back part of the pages.
On the cover page, I stitched the letters, using zigzag stitches to spell out - My first activity book. I chose a different color thread for each word. You could also write the letters with non-toxic fabric paint, which can be found on Amazon.
I will now go in the order of how I arranged the pages in this book. I went from the easiest for my daughter to be able to accomplish, to the next hardest and so on.
For all of the appliqued designs in this book, I made them with two layers of material, making them more sturdy for many multiple times of play and learning, and also many multiple times of machine washing. The pages will be able to be separated from the yarn binding, for easier washing.
For all of the designs, I used leftover material from other projects I had done.
The first page consists of a watch, bracelet design, attached to the page with elastic. I used one piece of elastic and stitched the folded edges of elastic onto the decorative top. I chose polka dots for the top layer of the bracelet design, and some white fabric for the back of the bracelet design. You can choose any type of design that you want. I did a tight zigzag stitch in a circle shape, and then trimmed the edges off. The doubloe layers of fabric for the designs will also be more durable.
You will want to add each appliqued deisgn to the tshirt fabric, before stitching the front (top) page to the back pages, so that loose threads, etc. are hidden.
On this first page, I stitched on the year, and then added zigzag stitching for, by Mom. You can personalize this page with your own date and or from, if you like.
For the second page, I cut out the basic shape for a pair of pants. Two layers of this fabric are sewn together, and the edges hemmed. I stitched on two belt loops on the pants, and stitched on Velcro pieces on the inner pieces of the belt so that the belt would work. The outer edges of the pants are stitched to the tshirt material, leaving the waist area and the leg bottoms open. It's fun for the kids to stick their fingers in the legs, etc. You could use a snap for the pants, and forego the belt and belt loops.
For the third page, I made a pocket with a snap. Again, the pocket is made with double layers of material. I chose a denim material for the pocket. Since it was a thicker and more sturdy material; I just did a basic straight stitch for secure this item to the page material, instead of the zigzag stitch. You could also use a loop and button to close the pocket flap.
For this next page, I made a shirt that has two buttons. The dinosaurs was a fun fabric that I had on hand. Like, the pants, the shirt is made of two layers of fabric, and I did a zigzag stitch around the outer edges, leaving the neck, sleeve bottoms, and shirt bottom open, so the kids can open it up. I like using somewhat large and colorful buttons. The larger size will be easy for the young child to handle. Here is where you can find colorful buttons on Amazon.
This page features a purse that has a zipper on the inside. The purse itself can be made with one large rectangle that is folded to make a flap over the lower part. You probably won't find a zipper short enough to fit the purse opening; I just extended the rest of the lower part of the zipper beyond the end of the fabric and cut it off. I used zigzag stitches to help secure the zipper in place; I used a nylon zipper. Here is where you can find nylon zippers on Amazon. The back of the purse is open on top, giving the kids an extra place to slide their hands into, but you can stitch that part down if you like.
The last page turned out to be my favorite. It features a fun shoe shape that has a tongue, and has eyelets applied for lace a shoe string through. I stitched the shoe string in place, between the two bottom eyelets, so that it can't be removed. I chose a corduroy material for this for its thickness and softness as well. A canvas material could also work great for the shoe. Here is where you can find eyelets for fabric on Amazon. Be sure to get a kit with a tool, if you don't already have one.
Note:
All of these pages are just what I did. Hope my directions are helpful. However, you can do other ideas if you like. For instance, a hook and loop shirt if you don't want to do buttonholes. You can do a Velcro strap on the shoe. You could do a snap on the pants, do a loop and button on the pocket, etc. So yeah, have fun with it; the choices are yours.
Assembly:
Each page is sewn together, with right sides together, on three sides. I then cut the corners of the two corners that will form the inner edges of the completed pages. That will make turning the pages right side out, easier. After the pages are turned right side out, the open outer edge is stitched together. (This is the back edge of the pages.) I used a zigzag type stitch that was on my sewing machine to finish off the open edge. I used various decorative stitches around the three closed edges, each with a different colored thread. This helps the page edges to lay flatter.
I marked three holes on where I will place the eyelets, on what is the binder side of the pages. The eyelets I used for this, measure 5/8 inch. With leftover yarn I had on hand, I made a braid with three different colors. I used approximately two yards of each color of yarn. I wove the warn through the eyelets, from each end, criss crossing in the middle, and then tied a bow on an end. This way, the yarn can be untied and the book disassembled when the pages need to be washed.
Hope this makes enough sense for you to make your own awesome First Activity Book.
If you are desire to purchase a sewing machine, I recommend Brother. My current machine and previous machine are both by Brother. Here is a link for Brother sewing machines on Amazon, if you are interested.
All the best.
The images used here were used on another blog that I did in 2013, on a site which no longer exists.
Cheryl Paton
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
FOLLOW US ON:
