Make a recipe book cover

1. Download, print and cut out the templates at sewmag.co.uk. These measurements are based on an A5 notebook with a depth of 5mm. Cut a rectangle, 24cm x 50cm from main fabric, plus another for the lining, 24cm x 31cm. Press iron-on interfacing, 24cm x 31cm, centrally onto the back of the largest rectangle, with an equal amount of un-interfaced fabric at each end.

2. Using the templates, trace the motifs onto fusible webbing, glue side up. Iron each piece onto the back of your chosen fabric scraps, then cut out carefully. Where the interfacing is attached onto the cover, mark out roughly on the right side of the fabric with pins where the front would be.

3. Peel off the paper backs from the motifs and arrange onto the front. Use a machine to free machine embroider the shapes in place with matching thread colours. Add the details onto each item. Trace ‘My Recipes’ on tearaway stabiliser, pin in place and free motion embroider over the wording with contrasting thread. Rip the stabiliser away, then press.

4. Overlock each short end of the large rectangle pieces. On the large embroidered piece, fold in each end, wrong sides together, by 9cm and press, checking the fit on your notebook. Fold them both again, back onto each other so they’re pressed to the outside of the cover. Place the smaller rectangle over the top of the other, right sides together.

5. The smaller rectangle ‘lining’ piece should be the same size as the now folded ‘outer’ piece, with the folds at each end of the outside piece sandwiched in the middle. Pin together. Sew down both long edges, then turn through one of the gaps in the short ends. Once opened to the correct side, fold the flaps onto the lining side and press again. Press the whole thing out and slip over a notebook.

Stitch a greeting card

1. Download, print and cut out the templates at sewmag. co.uk. Draw around a blank card onto iron-on interfacing to create a template for the front. Iron this onto the back of your chosen fabric. Trim the edges to the desired size with scissors or pinking shears.

2. Trace the heart and spoon templates from the pattern pages onto fusible webbing and cut out loosely. Iron to the back of your chosen scraps and cut neatly. Peel off the backing paper and iron in place on the card front. Use a machine to free motion embroider the pieces in place with contrasting thread.

3. Transfer the ‘Home Made’ wording onto tearaway stabiliser and pin to the card front. Free motion embroider over the wording with contrasting thread, remove the stabiliser and press to finish.

4. Sew the whole piece to the front of the card around the edge of the fabric piece. If the greeting doesn’t stand up, fix a piece of card inside to hide the stitches and provide stability. Trim any excess with a craft knife.

Sew a gift tag