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Beautiful tools deserve a little home of their own. A soft needle book keeps your hand-sewing needles together, and a patchwork cover is a sweet place to use up a few favorite scraps.
You'll need just eight little squares for the outside, as well as a scrap of lining, a little batting, and felt for the pages. Then finish with a simple stitched spine.
What you’ll need
- About eight fat eighths or equivalent scraps. Reserve one 8½" × 4½" lining rectangle first. Cut one 2½" square from each of eight fabrics. There will be plenty of fabric left for more small projects.
- One 8½" × 4½" rectangle of thin cotton batting.
- Two 7" × 3" rectangles of wool felt or another felt that holds needles securely.
- Thread, needle or sewing machine, ruler, scissors, pins or clips, and iron.
Cutting list
All measurements are in inches. Cut measurements include the stated seam allowances. Measure fabric after washing and pressing.
| Piece | Quantity | Cut size |
|---|---|---|
| Cover squares | 8 | 2½" × 2½" |
| Lining | 1 | 8½" × 4½" |
| Batting | 1 | 8½" × 4½" |
| Felt pages | 2 | 7" × 3" |
Right sides together means the fabric faces you want to show are touching. Secure the beginning and end of each assembly seam.
Let’s make it
1. Cut and arrange
Press the fabrics and cut the lining before using up the larger scraps. Arrange the eight cover squares in two rows of four. The cover will fold vertically through its center, so the two right-hand columns form the front of the closed book and the two left-hand columns form the back.
2. Piece the cover
Sew the four squares in each row together with ¼" seams. Press one row’s seams left and the other row’s seams right. Join the two rows, nesting the seam intersections, and press. The finished patchwork panel at this stage should measure 8½" × 4½".
3. Layer and sew
Lay the batting down first. Put the patchwork cover on top, right side up, then the lining right side down. Pin and sew around with a ¼" seam, leaving a 2" gap along one long edge. Secure the seam ends.
4. Turn and close the cover
Clip the corners clear of the stitching and turn right side out through the gap, between the fabric layers. Gently ease out the corners. Fold the opening edges inward ¼", press, and close with ladder stitches*. If you like, topstitch ⅛" from the edge all around to secure the edge and the opening, or add decorative hand stitching around the edge.
5. Add the felt pages
Lay the cover open, lining side up. Stack the two felt rectangles in the center, with their 7" edges parallel to the cover’s 8" edges. There should be about ½" of cover visible around the felt. Fold the whole book in half to find the vertical center line, open it again and pin the pages in place.
6. Stitch the spine
Sew one straight line down that center fold, through both felt sheets and the cover. Use small backstitches by hand or a short machine stitch, securing the ends well. Fold the book closed and finger press the spine. Add a few needles, keeping their points tucked into the felt.
Keep it useful
Separate needle types by felt page, or add tiny stitched labels for sewing, quilting and embroidery needles.
Make it yours
A small initial, a few hand-quilted lines or a treasured fabric on the front can make this little book feel personal. Store it safely with your other sharp sewing tools.
* A small stitch note: For ladder stitch, take tiny alternating stitches inside the two folded edges of an opening. Gently draw the thread snug to bring the folds together, then secure the end.
A little more making
There is no need to save your favorite fabric for a bigger occasion. Let this small project become part of the everyday.
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