It's been a while since my Splendid Sampler block was shared, but to celebrate the half-way point of this mammoth year long project a few of the Splendid designers are sharing various things on our blogs. Today it's my turn and I have a needle-book tutorial for you using my free Splendid Sampler stitchery as the cover! First of all you'll need to download my free "Blossoming" stitchery pattern (here) and once you've completed the embroidery trim the block to 6 1/2 inches square. You will also require these fabrics and trims: One, 6 1/2 inch square of pink floral fabric One, 6 1/2 inch x 12 1/2 inch rectangle of blue check fabric One, 7 1/2 inch x 12 1/2 inch rectangle of pink/red floral fabric One, 5 1/2 inch x 12 1/2 inch rectangle of green floral fabric Two, 1/2 inch x 13 inch lengths of cream cotton lace One, 8 inch x 14 inch piece of scrap cotton quilt wadding One, 2 inch x 4 1/2 inch scrap of cotton quilt wadding Assortment of trims such a buttons, labels, ribbon or fabric stamps Let's Begin: Sew the square of pink floral to the left of the stitchery block. This is your needle-book cover. Fold the rectangles of pink/red floral and green floral in half lengthwise and press the fold flat. Sew the lengths of cotton lace along the top edge of the folded and pressed fabrics so that half the lace peeks over the top front. Lay the blue check fabric onto the rectangle of scrap quilt wadding. If you have a little fabric stamp pin it 2 inches in from the left side of the fabric. Pin the small scrap of wadding 1/4 inch down from the top right edge of the fabric, about 3/4 inch from the side edge. Blanket stitch in place with two strands of embroidery thread or a length of Perle 12 cotton. Sew the fabric stamp in place with running stitch. Lay the pink/red floral pocket across the bottom edge of the blue check fabric, and lay the green pocket on top of that. Use a pencil or a heat erasable pen to draw a vertical line from the top edge of the red/pink pocket to the base of the green pocket, 3 1/4 inches in from both side edges. Use your machine to sew a double seam (sew up the line, then down again) down both those drawn lines. This is the inside of your needle-book. Place the right side of the needle-book cover over the inside of the needle-book. Pin together. Sew around all four sides with a 1/4 inch seam, leaving a 3 inch opening along one side for turning out later. Trim away the excess quilt wadding. Turn the needle-book right side out, pushing out all corners gently with a rounded tool such as a large knitting needle or a chopstick. Blind stitch the opening closed and press the needle-book flat. Machine sew along the middle seam between the front and back cover. This stabilises the fold as well as creating two pockets inside the needle-book. Hand sew a line of running stitch around the front cover with two strands of thread or a single strand of Perle 12 cotton. Sew a line of running stitch around the back cover. On the inside sew a couple of buttons beside the fabric stamp (or decorate how you like). You can use one of the buttons to hold a ribbon scissor keep. Fill your pockets with sweet stitching supplies and tools. Enjoy your new needle-book! All of the Splendid Sampler blocks are the same size so you could use this tutorial to make any number of beautifully varied needle-books! What about a Splendid Needle-book Swap within your quilt guild or sewing group? Most of my time is taken up designing and stitching six new embroidery patterns for each monthly issue of The Stitchery Club so I've only been able to sew four of the other Splendid blocks shared thus far. I love each of the blocks in Splendid so hopefully by years end I might have a few more made and then I can display them as a table runner for my sewing room! IDEA: All of the Splendid Sampler blocks are the same size so you could use this tutorial to make any number of beautifully varied needle-books! What about a Splendid Needle-book Swap within your quilt guild or sewing group? Visit the Splendid Sampler blog (here) for links to the other designers sharing blog posts today! If you've enjoyed stitching my "Blossoming" design you might be interested in The Stitchery Club! Once a month my members receive 6 new stitchery patterns via email. Here's one of the patterns members will receive in the next Club issue. To see the other five designs, or to find out more about The Stitchery Club go HERE. Have a splendid day!