about the stitch book:
Stitch along with me! I’m participating in the hundred day project and using a textile book as my project. My daily progress will be posted here and on @annwood instagram stories. If you’d like to sew along with me use #annwoodstitchbook and #annwoodpattern on instagram. You don’t have to commit to the hundred days to sew along but If you would like to more details are here.
Find a full tutorial for making the book here. Stitch your pages before you assemble the book. I’m sharing it now so you know where we are headed. Plus it’s a really cool way to make a textile book that you could use for all sorts of things.
For the one hundred day project my suggestion is 15 minutes per day. The book has 20 pages including the front and back covers so each page is stitched for 5 days, 15 minutes per day. So do-able! Over achievers feel free to do more. As I’m stitching and sharing I’ll include some simple prompts and suggestions in case you’re feeling stuck.
Find the page template and more about how to get started here.
day 100!
-
- day 99
-
- day 98
-
- day 97
-
- day 96
-
- day 95
-
- day 94
-
- day 93
-
- day 92
-
- day 91
-
- 90
-
- day 89
-
- day 88
-
- day 87
-
- day 86
-
- day 85
-
- dau 84
-
- day 83
-
- day 82
-
- day 81
-
- day 80
-
- day 79
-
- day 78
-
- day 76
-
- day 75
-
- day 74
-
- day 73
-
- day 72
-
- day 71
-
- day 70
-
- day 69
-
- day 68
-
- day 67
-
- day 66
-
- day 65
-
- day 64
-
- day 63
-
- day 62
-
- day 61
-
- day 60
-
- day 59
-
- day 58
-
- day 57
-
- day 56
-
- day 55
-
- day 54
-
- day 53
-
- day 52
-
- day 51
-
- day 50
-
- day 49
-
- day 48
-
- day 47
-
- day 46
-
- day 45
-
- day 44
-
- day 43
-
- day 42
-
- day 41
-
- day 40
-
- day 39
-
- day 38
-
- day 37
-
- day 36
-
- day 35
-
- day 34
-
- day 33
-
- day 32
-
- day 31
-
- day 30
-
- day 29
-
- day 28
-
- day 27
-
- day 26
-
- day 25
-
- day 24
-
- day 23
-
- day 22
-
- day 21
-
- day 20
-
- day 19
-
- day 18
-
- day 17
-
- day 15
-
- day 14
-
- day 13
-
- day 12
-
- day 11
-
- day 10
-
- day 9
-
- day 8
-
- day 7
-
- day 6
-
- day 5
-
- day 4
-
- day 3
-
- day 2
-
- day 1
Update on day 12:
I was super nervous about committing to another daily practice. I’m already pretty stretched time-wise with various personal enrichment stuff. But the 15 minutes seemed manageable and it has been so far. I look forward to it and it’s amazing how that little chunk of time adds up over the 5 days spent on each page.
The hardest part is starting. I’ve got a couple tips for days when you’re feeling stuck.
* Make a bold move. A big shape. Don’t worry about it just do it. It’s a yes and process.
* Save the scraps when you cut around a shape – those unintentional shapes are intriguing.
* Use a color you never use.
* Add constraints – for example – decide you’re only using shades of red for a page, and/or commit to a shape – I love the idea of exploring a single shape – maybe just circles or just X’s – you get the idea.
Are you participating? Do you have tips to share or a link to your progress? Let us know in the comments.
Thank you Ann…
I’m looking forward to this!! I’ve been a crafter for years so I have a ton of stuff plus my 86 year old mom was a crafter back in the day and she has held on to all of her things and she lets me rummage for stuff!!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Kindly
Joy
I’m so in! Thank you for the idea ❤️
I’m in too, inherited my dad’s old suits, too worn out for anyone to wear, but plenty of life left in the fabric. I think they’ll make interesting pages.
I’m starting a little late but this sounds like fun. I’ve been wanted to branch out and try something more creative so you can count me in!
Hi Ann,
I’ve been reading your emails for a little while now & love your work & style. I love the idea of using scraps to create anew
Thank you
Sharyn
I just love your work and so happy to be doing this challenge! I’ve been making cloth dolls for years but lately I’ve been feeling the need to try something different. I’m already getting lots of ideas for my pages! Thank you!
I’m a day behind but ~ I’m IN! ❤️
Hi! I just discovered you, and this challenge, from your Pinterest link. A sister scrapper! Cool!
I’ve started making scrap tags to go on my keychain, so instead of book pages I think I’ll just keep making tags and pretend they’re book pages. 🙂 I’ve acquired much Japanese vintage textiles and I love every little tidbit. The Japanese saying goes something like, “if you can wrap two beans in it, it’s a large enough scrap to keep and use.” Happy Stitching! ~b.
I’m a weaver, spinner, natural dyer and have been stitching Japanese boro for years. I put a link to your post on my blog, hope lots more people join in the fun. Thank you for the inspiration. Jean
I’m late but willing, 15 minutes a day seems doable for me at the moment, lots of time constraints but also lots of stuff to play with
Thank you for sharing your creative ideas. The little book is perfect for me right now. I need to slow down, and 15 minutes will be peaceful rather than pressuring myself to do as much as possible til my hands hurt. Happy stitching everyone.
Annie (Australia)
I’m on a road trip in Western Australia, so I’m doing this 100 day challenge in the Australian bush, in the serenity of nature, bird life and the great outdoors. I stitch everywhere I go. Thanks Ann.
Hi, Ann, this is a great project! Does the pattern for the rectangle (7 by 5.5 inches) include the seam allowance? Thank you!
thanks very much, and yes- it does.
I’m going to try and follow along but I have several other projects on the go so we’ll see how I do with time management. I am wondering how everyone gets organized? Do you go at it all at once and pre-set little kits of things to use or do you do one at a time and pull all the bits you think you’ll use out? I’m finding that part a little overwhelming.
Thanks for sharing Ann. I’m not doing the 100 day project this year but I am definitely going to do this next year, seems like such a lovely way to spend 100 days!
Dear Ann….thank you so much for your inspirations, patterns and tutorials….I’ve been stitching owls, boats and mushrooms..now I’m beginning a book * your tab method is brilliant. I’m on my way to contribute to Free Patterns. You are such a gift. Thank you
Wow I spent 3 days trying to make the book. For me it was very confusing but I did manage to figure it out! I did number but wanted a certain cover and back. It through me off! Now what goes inside this challenging little gem?
I just love this fabric book and yes I am going to take part but I think I will be starting a month behind everyone…….maybe I will just do eight pages and see how l get on.
Thank you for the wonderful news letters each month so much talent and great fun plus I get to use up some of my precious fragments, I’m a happy stitcher.
Thank you Ann
I love this fabric book too! It’s been fun so far. Getting organized has been challenging but I think I have it now. I am an embroiderer so there is a heavy influence on that in my book.
Thanks Ann for another fun and clever project.
I have only been stitching for 2-3 years and not often during long periods of time since I was still working a lot. I now have more time and I still have been putting this off, since the day I read about your 100 project. It is what I need, commitment, but I have still stalled. In one of your posts, you said, something like “JUST DO IT”. So today, the rain has kept me in doors and I finally printed off the book size template. I am committing. Thank you Ann. I love all your work.
Hi, when we finish the pages and start following the instructions to make the book, if you want a title page or front cover would that have to be ‘page 1’ in the make?
Hi Heidi – yes – have you watched the video? It demonstrates exactly how the book assembles.
Thank you so much Ann !
I am always looking forward to see your next posting filled with beautiful work and ideas.
The book project is another one! I love books, my dad was a printer/publisher and me being a fabric person this is the perfect fit!
Warmly,
Alice
I am always looking forward to see your next posting filled with beautiful work and ideas.
The book project is another one! I love books, my dad was a printer/publisher and me being a fabric person this is the perfect fit!
Warmly,
Alice
I absolutely love your completed book and would love to try one. My question…you mentioned it could be used for many things. I’d love to have some ideas as to what it could be used for. The older I get the less clutter I like so when I dive into a new project, I like it to have a practical use (other than being fun or pretty!) Thanks so kindly.
Great Question Sharon – It makes a great needle book or a place to save important scraps. It could be a soft book for a child or a travel journal. I’m making one on my trip to France next week. You could also add pockets and use it for important stuff !and organizing.
Thank you for inspiring me. Love the mushrooms❤
I may give this a go….
I’m looking forward to making a book–the colors, textures and shapes you’ve used draw me in. I’m thinking of a theme for my book in order to narrow it down or I’ll be swimming in too many ideas :). There are too many themes to choose from!: circles; shapes inspired by Matisse cutouts; fabric scraps left from my mother and grandmother; leaves from my morning walks.—but I’ll start with something simple. Thank you very much for your inspiration and directions.
I really like how easily the pages fit together, that is so clever! I have made a fabric book before but I used snaps to bind it together and add new pages or switch them around. Your idea is so much better! Now I want to make one of these too. Thanks for sharing! Who knew that a simple search for free cat patterns could lead me to so much inspiration? : )