Need a last minute- quick gift for the book lover in your life?  Hand Embroidered Felt Bookmarks!!  This project was super easy and took about an hour to do.

Grab some felt (wool felt is best, craft felt is too stretchy and will pill after a few uses), floss, elastic (mine is 3/8″ I think) and some decorative scissors.  You can find a ton of free patterns in the Hoop Love Vintage Embroidery group on flickr; print one out at about 2.5″ – 3″ square.  (Another option, instead of pictures is to stitch the initials of the recipients.) Personally, I like to use Sulky Hot Iron Transfer Pens for transferring; you will need to use something other than tracing- as the felt is too opaque.

Stitch your design and then cut out your stitching in a circle (although any shape will do) and then cut one more circle.  Cut a length of elastic measured to fit your favorite book and stitch the ends together on the sewing machine.  Lay the stitched ends of your elastic in the center of your felt circle, lay you stitched design circle on top (wrong side together).  Stitch circles together- sandwiching the elastic between the two.    Cut around the edges of the circles with your decorative scissors and Ta Da!  You’re done- and now you have a great little hand made gift to share!

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