Tattered Lace Journal Tutorial

I promised Karen I would do another tutorial for her Bloggerette girls. I decided I would do a tutorial similar to the journal I posted for her "Rush" blog event. I did this one a little different than that one, but I think this way is a little easier and turned out very sweet. I hope you enjoy the tutorial. I tried to include lots of tips and tricks.

Tattered Lace Journal

SUPPLIES: Muslin, interfacing that is fairly stiff with one fusible side, Heat n Bond, sewing machine, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, wet wipes (the baby kind), scissors for fabric, iron, thin towel or pillow case for ironing, scrap papers, ephemera, fabric scraps, lace, lighter, vintage jewelry, millinery, buttons, Anti-fray product, your favorite glue (I used hot glue), ribbon, and trims.

Before we start a few things. I created this journal to have a very pieced together torn and tattered look. Very care free, and simple. Nothing was measured, and nothing was thought out in advance. Just a close your eyes and enjoy the ride project. For me, I find that style of creating very enjoyable. So you will find that some of my tutorials do not include precise measurements and materials. That's because most the time I improvise and use what I have, or make adjustments as I go, as the project takes shape. So the next few steps are going to be VERY general. OK LET'S GO :)

1. Decide the shape of your journal! This will be one piece that is folded in half. You want to include a little space in the center for your binding area. Cut out a piece of your interfacing to this size.

2. Cut out a piece of heat n bond the same size.

3. Cut out two pieces of muslin that are slightly larger than your interfacing. Remember if you want a tattered worn look, you don't need to cut it perfectly.

4. One side of your interfacing is fusible. Iron the muslin to this side first to fuse them together.

5. Follow the heat n bond instructions to bond the 2nd piece of muslin to the other side.

6. Fold your piece in half and iron the seam.

7. Now you have your foundation. Select a material you want to be used in the binding area. I choose a large width satin ribbon.

8. Place your ribbon or material over the crease centering it. My ribbon is about 2 inches centered on the seam. Yours may be different depending on what size you are working with. Using your machine sew on the two sides to secure it in place. It is not necessary to sew the center.

9. Since I do not care for satin fraying I used some fray check to put on the ends. I picked mine up at Wal-mart and I love it.

10. We will now start the layering process! In my journal I would tear every piece of lace I could, tear my paper, and don't be afraid to LET IT BURN lol! Get out a lighter, and in a safe place burn a corner of different materials to see how they react.

TIP: Above is a photo of the journal I did for Karen's "Rush". The main difference is I used more burned materials, where in the lace journal I wanted to use more of my newly acquired vintage lace. Most are cotton and don't burn well. To make a journal that looks more like the original project (above), just use more synthetic materials that will melt.

TIP: Another tip I wanted to share is a quick and easy way to distress paper and fabric when you don't have time to dye. I use Tim Holtz Distress Ink in "tea dye" and a wet wipe. Not Handy wipes, but baby wet wipes. I think the baby wipes hold up a bit better than Handy wipes. Just take the wipe and bloat it in the ink. Then rub your paper, lace or material with it. When using it on paper, just be sure not to press too hard.

Here I rubbed it on this mesh material.

Here I spotted it on the satin ribbon on my binding.

11. So now that you have a few tips, lets get layering! For the first layer I generally like to select materials or laces that are more for accents in the background. For lack of a better example I would compare them to what would be like a "filler" in a floral arrangement like baby breathe. Something that is not too predominant but catches your attention. Does that make any sense??? lol

I selected this mesh material. The closer I get to the top the more predominant pieces I select.

Just play around a bit laying 3-4 pieces in place before you start stitching.

12. Once you have a basic idea of the first few layers, start your stitching. You can do this by either stitching one piece at a time, or layering and stitching all layers at once. Below are a few tips for your stitching.

TIP: Don't stitch too much at first. You will be doing a lot of stitching, and most of what is stitched in this step will not be showing (meaning the actual stitches), so save the time and only stitch what is needed to keep the piece in place.

You can see in this layer I only stitched the outer square and around the circle in the middle. You can click on the picture to enlarge it.

TIP: I would recommend using a larger width stitch when stitching any vintage papers. The less holes the better.

TIP: I found for me I preferred not to stitch into my binding area, but liked the material to overlap in some spots.

13. Above is a photo of what I selected. I picked 2 background laces, then layered a music sheet paper and then a more detailed pretty lace piece parallel to the binding. I cut out the section where I wanted to put my focal piece (optional, I liked this, you may not).

14. Now we will focus on your focal point. This could be anywhere you want it, and it could be anything you want it to be.

I selected this fabric transfer with a few papers and lace layered behind it. I stitched it all together before attaching it to the journal.

I chose to put my piece a little off center to the right because I thought it would be neat to put some larger embellishments next to it on the left.

15. Use the above skills to create your back piece as well. Below is a photo of what I decided on for the back.

16. To finish off the inside I selected some paper and stitched them to the inside.

17. Your cover is now done! To finish it off fill it with pages. For my first journal I cut out white cardstock folded it in half and attached it with ribbon (below).

For this journal I used the above steps to create pages with fabric and paper pockets. I thought I could keep some of my favorite Paris themed cards, papers, photos, fabric, and laces inside.

18. Tie the ribbons holding your pages however you would like, and then use your favorite glue and embellishments to decorate the front, and YOU ARE DONE!

I selected to use this lovely millinery rose, satin, vintage jewels, and buttons to decorate my cover.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! I would LOVE to see photos of your finished journals if you would like to share! You can make this journal as involved, or as simple as you would like! You could even create the cover and then attach it to a already bound notepad or journal.

HAPPY CREATING!

Comments

[Ceekay- Thinkin of Home]

I held in my hands your journal to Karen....fabulous. I enjoyed the tutorial. I am not very good at the layering technique but I adore the look!! I need to have a one on one in person lesson!!

[A Gypsy Angel/Stamperbee]

Thank you so much for the tutorial I have to get some supplies and then I am going to try that. You are one talented lady. Please drop by my blog and be my friend .... smiles,Kimhttp://agypsyangel.blogspot.com

[Scrap for Joy]

This is a beautiful journal! Im bookmarking the tutorial...the directions are great! Thank you.Joyce

[Charlene]

Cassandra, LOVE this tutorial! And your journal. The image you used & all your vintage lace & BLING made it so special. THANK YOU for sharing! Charlene

[Jennifer ~ Mi Vida Loca]

Very pretty! Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial.

[Peeters Liliane]

Wow what a great book it is so romantic. What a wonderful tutorial.Liliane

[Home and Heart]

Cassandra you are so incredibly talented! Your work is always beyond beautiful. I appreciate SO much you sharing this technique, I never would have thought of tearing the lace! What a difference! Thank you!!!

[sjmcdowell]

Hi Cassandra,I think your tutorial is great and so helpful! The journal you made is beautiful!! I will be using the techniques that I see here in my making my own journal.Thank you so much!!

[Becca]

Thank you so much. I have been wanting to make a journal like this for so long but I wasnt sure how to get started.

[Electra]

Thanks for a wonderful tutorial Cassandra! Your journal is lovely!

[Karen]

CASSIE!!!LOVE IT!!!! OMG I want to make some of these! Great gifts!I need to go find some special shoes, and then if m y feet are up to it - Im off to the fabric store for interfacing! WHOO HOO!!!!!Big hugs and THANK YOU!Karen

[nicole]

HelloI love your tutorial, thanks for that, I want to now for a long time how to make a fabric book.nicole

[ShabbyChicShaz]

What a wonderful tutorial, thanks so much, your books is just divine, all that lace and sparklies :)

[Rose Garden Romantic]

Wow, Cassandra!!! What a gorgeous book! Thanks so much for sharing how you made it!Michelle

[tina]

great tutorial! kiss from croatia

[Lori Katies Rose Cottage]

Cassandra ~You are so very talented ~That is gorgeous !!Thank you for the wonderful tutorial ~xoxoLori

[debi]

Oh Cassandra, I really enjoy your tutorials! Your work is always stunning and your instructions so well put together.I cant wait to get started on this project. Thanks for sharing!

[Terri Gordon]

Hi Cassandra, what a wonderful tutorial, you make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing, I hope you are feeling better. Hugs, Terri

[Pam Kellogg]

Cassandra, its always a joy to visit you. Such beautiful projects and photos to look at!!!

[Francie]

This is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Youre great at explaining the process!~Francie

[bee'nme]

Oh Cassandra - what a lovely journal!! It is so thoughtful of you to share this helpful tutorial! It really helped de-mystify the process for me and it doesnt seem as intimidating as it has in the past. Thank you for that - I may just have to make myself one!Hugs & Blessings,Becky

[Rhondamum]

Oh wow Cassandra! You read my mind! Thank you so, so much for this amazing tutorial. I thought you were announcing a new ezine and here it was something you gifted us with for free. You are so generous! I hope to be able to do something like this one day. Thanks for all you do! xoxo Rhonda...

[Bunty]

Thanks for the great tutorial. Such a pretty journal - your work is lovely, as usual.Hugs,Barbara :)

[Sara]

wow what a great tutorial, thanks so much. I love looking at your blog. Hugs Sara

[Alisa]

So gorgeous!!!

[MosaicMagpie]

Thank so very much for that great tutorial. You did an excellent job explaining each step.Beautiful completed project.Debbie

[Sugah Beez]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tutorial!! Your journal is stunning!! Hope you are doing great! xoxoxo H

[Annette Graves]

Just beautiful, I have just started making journals, and I mean just and this is like manna from Heaven. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us. xoxoxo