Discover the art of slow stitch fabric journaling with this practical guide to creating a fabric journal from textile artist, Jessie Chorley.

You can see all of Jessie's wonderful embroidery templates and other books here

This guide explains how to stitch your own stories in fabric and thread to create a stitched journal. Author, Jessie Chorley, explains how to combine treasured items of fabric, threads and notions with techniques including simple patchwork, hand embroidery and applique, to create a unique, hand stitched book to treasure forever.

Learn how to stitch your own stories in fabric and thread to create a handstitched journal. Jessie encourages readers to collect special pieces of fabric, threads and other ‘treasure’ and explains how to combine these precious items with techniques including simple patchwork, hand embroidery and applique, to create a unique, hand-stitched book to treasure forever.

There are step-by-step instructions for how to make the fabric journal measuring 20cm x 20cm (7.8in x 7.8in). Jessie explains how to create your own seasonal story throughout the book so you can chart your year and mark any memorable occasions or events that you want to include, making it a wonderful memory book for a loved one or a family heirloom to be passed from generation to generation.

The central theme of the project is the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, and there are four seasonal hand drawn motifs on iron-on transfer paper that can be used as the basis of the designs. The four seasonal motifs are accompanied by four further motifs which are intended for the inside and outside covers.

Jessie then explains how to fill in and embellish these designs using a variety of her favourite stitches, threads, special notions, treasures, and keepsakes. As well as sewing techniques including scattered applique as a form of drawing and simple patchwork.

In addition to the full-page templates there is a large selection of smaller motifs for readers to use throughout their books. These include Jessie’s signature alphabet and number motifs which can be used to mark people, places, and dates.

Jessie Chorley is a London-based textile artist. Traditional hand embroidery, patchwork techniques and printmaking are at the heart of Jessie’s practice as an artist-maker. Needle and thread are her drawing tools, she uses them to create scenes and stories, combining stitched images and words, largely on preloved fabric. Collecting is something that goes hand-in-hand with Jessie’s making process.

Born in Kent in 1980, she spent her childhood in North Wales. The traditional technical skills and hands-on approach that she celebrates in her work today, were passed down to her from her own family of makers.

Jessie runs her business from her South London studio. She regularly delivers masterclasses from there, as well as at venues worldwide.

Jessie Chorley

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