Tuesday, June 23, 2009

"My ABC Book"

Well, I have finally finished this quiet book for my son! Let me explain a little... My mom got me my first sewing machine almost a year ago, for my 30th birthday. I was thrilled! I was so excited to start making things for my son! I went to the fabric store and bought a whole bunch of supplies, then started to make a "quiet book". I had no clue what I was doing! Not only had I never used a sewing machine before, but I had never designed my own book either! So, I really had to think about what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to incorporate some tactile/fine motor learning things for my son, such as a button, buckle, shoelaces, zipper, etc. But, I didn't know how I was going to do it... I could have just done it the "easy way" and bought a pattern or template, or the "super easy way" and buy an already made quiet book. But, that wouldn't be as meaningful. I want my son to be able to look back when he's older and say, "Look, my Mama made this!", maybe with a hint of pride in his voice. I know, wishful thinking... Anyways, between my indecisiveness and just plain "busy"-ness, the book project kept getting pushed back, all the fabric just sitting there waiting to be made into something unique... The ideas were sitting in my head, I just needed to start it and design it. Finally I said to myself, "I am going to work on this book NOW!!!" So, I sat and started cutting, playing with ideas, and I came up with my idea of an "easy" way to finish this book.... Ding, ding, ding! "I'll just do the alphabet!" This way I could just do small little pictures and maybe an occasional button or zipper. From the time I actually got serious about starting it and the time I finished it (yesterday), the book project took me about 3 months... It is pretty impossible to just sit there sewing non-stop... I did take an occasional break. So, here it is, finally completed... almost a year after the original idea popped in my head. Now, don't be too critical... Remember I just learned how to sew (and I taught myself), so I am the equivalent of a "preschool" sewer right now. I promise it will get better... Nevertheless, I am still proud of my hard work, and I'm glad I have another "keepsake" for my son, even if it is a little shabby. :) Oh, and by the way, I won't even begin to describe how to make this book. I cut all the letters and pictures freehand, and added on as I saw fit. If you want to try to make one like it, all I can say is go for it, and good luck! :)

I made a "mini" book on the front cover, with a little "love" inside...


A: Apple, B: Ball, C: Car, D: Dog, E: Elephant, F: Frog, G: Giraffe, H: Hat...

I: Ice Cream, J: Jacket, K: Kite, L: Lemon, M: Moon, N: Necklace, O: Octopus, P: Pig...

Close-up of button and J: Jacket...


Q: Quilt, R: Rose, S: Shoe, T: Turtle, U: Umbrella, V: Vegetables, W: Whale...

Close-up of S: Shoe...

X: Xylophone, Y: Yarn, Z: Zipper...

Close-up of Z: Zipper...

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12 comments:

Theresa said...

This is amazing work for a beginning seamstress! What a treasure for your son!

Mommy Bear said...

Aww the book is adorable! Great job.

Lift Like A Mom said...

How cute! You are so talented! I'm not so good with a needle and thread. Home Ec. was never my friend! But I love your ideas on here :) Stopping by from SITS and I hope you have a great day.

Night Owl Mama said...

You did a fabulous job! that book will be in your family 4 generation's. Put a label on the back with a dedication :)
stopping in from sits

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. said...

Stopping by from sits to say hi!

Great job on your first project!

Stesha said...

You did an amazing job!

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha

FEDERICA said...

Super cute!
Stopping by from SITS!

Mommys Online Garage Sale said...

Outstanding! I love the "Quiet Book". Stopping by from SITS to say HI!

The Royal Family said...

how cute. I love quiet books!

The Buzz,
Brandy

Amanda said...

Wow...for having no idea what you are doing...you had a great idea for what you were doing!

Love the book and I bet he will too!

God bless-
Amanda

Morgan said...

Wow! I'm impressed! I come from a sewing family and have been quilting since I was a teenager, and I've never made anything like that! You did that without a pattern?!? Very very cool!

Even without being able to give directions on how to make the ABC book, the photos are sure to be good inspiration for others to try something similar. What a cool book!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Porter Graphic Design Studio said...

I LOVE This! My little boy would go nuts looking through it. So fun. wish I had a sewing maching...