Projects

Three Fat Quarter Quilted Journal

Created By:

Maureen Cracknell

Skill Level: Intermediate

I'm so excited to share this new tutorial for my Three Fat Quarter Quilted Journal with Ties! This is a project I'm often asked a pattern for and is an updated version of the original Whole Cloth Journal Covers Tutorial I created a few years back as part of Janome's Summer Sewing Camp. This version is still a great project for Janome sewing beginners of any age to gain comfortability and confidence with sewing and machine quilting, in addition to using the quilt-as-you-go technique and adding ties, for a finished project that is both beautiful and useful!

Instructions

Three Fat Quarter Quilted Journals by MCH x Janome

I'm so excited to share this new tutorial for my Three Fat Quarter Quilted Journal with Ties! This is a project I'm often asked a pattern for and is an updated version of the original Whole Cloth Journal Covers Tutorial I created a few years back as part of Janome's Summer Sewing Camp. This version is still a great project for Janome sewing beginners of any age to gain comfortability and confidence with sewing and machine quilting, in addition to using the quilt-as-you-go technique and adding ties, for a finished project that is both beautiful and useful!

Supplies 1

Three Fat Quarter Quilted Journal materials needed:

1. Three Fat Quarters (3 - 18" x 22" pieces of fabric) for journal exterior and interior
2. 11" x 30" piece of Hobbs 100% cotton batting
3. Cotton Piping Cord (available HERE) or a ribbon for ties 

4. Thread for quilting
5. One standard 9 3/4" x 7 1/2" composition notebook that can be found at most stores
6. Janome sewing machine, scissors, mat/ruler/rotary cutter, point turner tool and iron

Supplies 2

*NOTE* Use a 1/4" seam allowance throughout this project unless otherwise instructed.

Step 1. Cutting the Fabrics and Supplies:
  • From Fat Quarter One (main journal center fabric and interior lining fabric) cut FQ in half into two pieces measuring 11" x 18." From one half piece cut one piece measuring 5.5" x 11" and from the remaining half cut one piece measuring 11" x 16" for the journal lining
  • From Fat Quarter Two ( accent exterior fabric 1) cut from FQ one piece measuring "5.5" x 11" and one piece measuring 7.5" x 11"
  • From Fat Quarter Three ( accent exterior fabric 2) cut from FQ one piece measuring "5.5" x 11" and one piece measuring 7.5" x 11"
  • From cord or ribbon cut two pieces measuring 15"

Cutting Fabrics

Cutting Materials

Step 2. Journal Exterior Piecing & Quilting:

Begin by taking the 11" x 30" piece of cotton batting and mark the center either by folding it in half to create a crease or by marking with a water-soluble pen. Now take the 5.5" x 11" main Fabric 1 piece for the journal and mark it with a center crease. Using the crease folds or markings, center the fabric onto the center of the batting with the fabric facing right side out. If needed, spray baste, or pin baste the fabric in place to the cotton batting

Piecing 1

To quilt the center fabric piece to the batting I used the built-in scallop stitch set at a stitch width of 9.0 and a length of 2.0. This journal is a fun project for experimenting with your Janome's built-in stitches, but a straight stitch works just as well.

Quilting 1

Quilting 1 Scallop Stitch

Next place the Fabric 2 piece measuring 5.5" x 11" on top of the center fabric with right sides together, matching raw edges. Attach the piece using a 1/4" seam, flip and use iron or simply finger press open

Piecing 2
Piecing 3

Again, quilt to attach the fabric to the batting. This time I used the wavy quilting stitch set at a width of 9.0 and a length of 3.5

Quilting 2

Wavy Stitch Quilting

Before adding the next piece of fabric, it's time to add the first tie. Take one 15" length of cotton piping rope or ribbon and knot one end as shown below.

Add Ties 1

To attach, place the untied end of the rope at the center of the raw edge of the fabric you just finish quilting to the batting. Using a scant 1/8" and the straight stitch, going over the end of the rope back and forth a few times to secure

Adding Ties

Next continue adding the final fabric for this side of the journal exterior and place the Fabric 3 piece measuring 7.5" x 11" on top of the last fabric with right sides together, matching raw edges, and covering the raw end of the rope. Attach the piece using a 1/4" seam, flip and use iron or simply finger press open

Piecing 4

Again, quilt to attach the fabric to the batting. This time I used the simple straight stitch set at a width of 4.5 and a length of 3.5

Quilting 3

Quilting 4

Once this side of the journal exterior is pieced and quilted, turn the batting to begin piecing and quilting the other side in the exact same way. Begin by placing the Fabric 3 piece measuring 5.5" x 11" on top of the center fabric with right sides together, matching raw edges. Continue attaching each piece using a 1/4" seam, flip and press, quilt using the same stitches as you did for the first side. Attach the second tie in the same manner and add the final piece of fabric and quilt to finish piecing the journal exterior

Continue Piecing

Add Second Tie
Continue Piecing and Quilting

Once the journal exterior is completely pieced, quilted and both ties have been added. Use a mat/ruler/rotary cutter to trim away any excess fabric and batting to measure 11" x 29"

Trim Away Access

Trimmed up Journal Exterior

Step 3. Hemming the Journal Exterior:

Hem both 11" edges of the quilted journal exterior panel by folding raw edge 1/4" under, then 1/4" under again. Press, pin, and stitch in place using a single or double seam allowance

Hem Edges
Hemmed Edges

Place the hemmed journal exterior panel right side up on a mat board or other flat surface. Loosely tie the ties together to ensure that they're out of the way when adding the journal lining fabrics

Ties

Create the pockets that will hold the journal by folding in the sides from the edges, so the quilted panel now measures 11" x 16"

Finishing 1

Place the lining fabric with the right side of the fabric facing the quilted panel. Align all of the edges and pin together

Add Lining
Pin Lining
Stitch all the way around, making sure to leave at least a 4" opening in the bottom seam for turning the cover out

Attach Lining

Zigzag stitch around the outside of that seam to reinforce. Sew a diagonal line in each corner as shown below to reinforce corners, and clip the corners

ZigZag Stitch

Turn the cover right side out through the opening. Push the corners out with a point turner or tool and press the cover to get out any wrinkles

Opening

Point Turner

Press and pin the opening closed. Stitch closed using a 1/8" seam allowance

Finishing Steps
Finishing

Give it one last final press, insert the journal and you're all finished!

Final 1

Final 2

Final 3
Everyone is Talking about Three Fat Quarter Quilted Journal
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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