Bantry Bay step by step tutorial

We know many of you like to visualize and learn better this way. I have created this step by step photo tutorial to assist you in the making of the Bantry Bay journal cover – the pattern can be found here.

Transfer the embroidery design and complete all stitches as per the stitch guide and pattern sheet.  Use the alphabet and a lightbox to add your name if desired.

Trim on the outer transfer lines (which is not stitched).  press and put aside.

Note: I have put the pen holder and panel on the one piece of linen now to do all at once. (the image below is separate because I decided to add it after I'd completed my panel above)

Position the 60 squares evenly onto the two pieces of grid interfacing. Fuse with a hot steam iron.

Fold along a marked vertical line right sides together and stitch with a 1/4” seam allowance. Repeat for all vertical lines.

Clip each seam allowance on the back to the marked line – don’t cut the stitches. Fold and press each one in opposite directions.

Fold panels on the horizontal lines and repeat the process. Press seam allowances in one direction – you don’t need to snip this time.

Join the two pieced panels with the embroidery panel. Add the linen strip to both ends (note: you can adjust the width of your linen strip to suit your journal – mine worked perfectly as is with the Universal Homespun diary with a spiral bind).

Fuse the complete panel to lightweight fusible batting (H630, parlan or similar).  Quilt 1/4” from each seam line of the pieced units using 2 strands of the Cosmo thread.

Add binding strip to both ends of your panel – attach to the wrong side with a 1/4”, fold until it meets the raw edges then bring to front side until it meets the stitch line. Edge stitch in place.

Pen holder:

Fold in a 1/4” hem on the top edge of your stitched linen strip. Edge stitch.

Place linen right side up on right side of floral strip with bottom edges even. Note the linen will be wider than the floral.

Stitch 1/8” down both sides. Place remaining floral strip right side down on top and stitch both long edges using a 1/4” seam allowance. Turn through to right side and press well.

Position in centre of your outer panel. Trim to size if longer. Baste the top and bottom edges.

Lining: double fold and edge stitch a 1/4” at both short ends.

Place your journal on the flat outer panel. Fold back the ends (right sides together) until they meet the edge of your journal. Ideally this will be at a seam line and fold nicely. Even if its just a tad too big its best to fold at a seam line of your pieced panel as it will sit better. Pin the top and bottom edges.

Place the lining piece right sides together on top of the outer panel. Pin. Stitch along the top and bottom edges. Turn through to the right side. Press well.

Insert your diary and pen and you are good to go.