Here’s a project that’s a little different for autumn – and kids can help. Encourage children to explore the natural world; how many different kinds of leaves can they find? Which ones are the prettiest? When the project is finished, give them the resulting journal or book cover to use and to cherish.
The Leaf Magic Journal Cover by Janet Rice-Bredin is a fun project for young sewers, too, with just a little help. Younger children might only be interested in picking their favorite leaves, but think how excited they’ll be with “their” leaves on the front of a new binder cover!
Start by picking some beautiful fall leaves, and let those guide your fabric color choices. Note the instructions for custom-sized covers on the last page of the pattern – it’s not just for journals. By changing the sizes, you can cover any book or notebook.
Of course, like any pattern, this one is ripe with opportunities for creative changes. Substitute the leaf block with any patchwork, embroidered, or machine-quilted block of the same size – imagine the possibilities!