Thursday Craft Time: Blessing Bookmarks

These bookmarks make for a nice gift and are fairly simple to complete. Several are made at once. They also add a prayer to each recipient’s day.

To make the bookmarks you will need:  

 -three colors of cotton or similar fabric; solids,
         textured solids and small prints work well.

 -matching thread

 -embroidery thread in a complementary color

 -a piece of thin cardboard (5-1/2” by 1-1/2”.) I  
          use the dividers from boxes of tea bags.

Cut the cloth into 16” by 3” strips. Sew together strips of the three different colors on the long sides, using a 1/2 “ seam. Cut into 4 inch strips, cutting across the seams so that all three colors are in each strip.

For each strip, fold along the long side so that right sides are together. Sew along the top and down the side opposite the fold. Turn out so that right sides are facing out. Use the eraser end of a pencil to push out corners.

Write a blessing on the piece of cardboard. I also speak the blessing over it.

Some blessings:

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.”

“May the shalom of Jesus be in your heart.”

“May joy from God in rich your days.”

If it is a gift for a specific person, I use their name instead of “you” and include a card with the blessing on it.

Slip the cardboard into the bookmark and sew across the bottom.

Cut a length of embroidery thread (all six lengths.) With a large-eyed needle sew the thread into the top left corner of the bookmark so that half is on one side and half on the other. Tie a knot a little from the ends to form a looped tassle.

That’s it!

Hope you enjoy making a few.

What crafts do you use to make personalized gifts?




Photos by J. Parry