Junk Journals for Quilters and Sewists

Hello, friends! Today I’m sharing all about Junk Journals for Quilters and Sewists. I was recently gifted the most exquisite and personalized Junk Journal. I treasure this incredible work of art. And I felt I should share it so that it might inspire many of you. I’ll also share some other ideas on this incredible medium and art expression. We’ve also filmed a video of this incredible book so you can get an up-close look at tll of the pages.

Junk Journals for Quilters and Sewists

What is a Junk Journal

First, I’m sharing a gorgeous Junk Journal made by Pam Sutton, a quilter and follower of this blog and our podcast. She described this work of art as something where she “combined my love of fabric, sewing/quilting, collecting antique & vintage books and documents, and the paper arts (junk journaling) into one medium.” Junk Journaling is most simply defined as the art of combining vintage pieces from a variety of sources to create something of significance and meaning.

I used to do a lot of scrapbooking when my children were young. The bits and pieces I added into those journals are a little reminiscent of junk journaling. I’ve always been inspired by this art of combining little bits of inspiration into one piece, and so I’m incredibly honored to have received such a lovely gift.

Ideas for Using Quilting Fabrics in a Junk Journal

Quilting fabrics in junk journals can be cut up into patchwork, sewn together with decorative stiches, and combined with ribbons, laces, and trims to create a fabric collage for the cover and page backgrounds. Then, fabrics can also be cut up and used as bindings for page sleeves and ribbons. (I have a couple of vinyl pockets bound with fabric in my junk journal). Quilting fabrics can also add even more texture and interest to the piece when combined with papers and other trims.

Perfect Sewing Notions for Junk Journaling

I love that the maker incorporated some of my fabrics into this beautiful journal. Other items she included are:

• Handmade fabric yo-yos
• Safety pins
• Vintage pieces of lace and trim
• Vintage buttons
• Miniature scissors
• Stationery with the addition of decorative stitching
• Embellished luggage tags
• Antique and antique-like papers
• Needle books
• Sequins
• Bits of fabric
• Measuring tape twill
• Fabric ribbons
• Pattern tissue paper (used as wrapping)
• More!

Junk Journal Video

Watch the video above or on our YouTube channel to see the beautiful sewing and quilting themed junk journal recently gifted to me. I go through each page of the journal so you can see all of the lovely details.

More on Junk Journaling

Finally, fellow Moda designer Cathe Holden creates and shares a variety of inspired art from her home in northern California. “As a collector of vintage goods, Cathe creates unique digital collage incorporating colorful ephemera, beautiful antique textiles and hand-stitched pieces into her fabric designs for Moda Fabrics.”  She has an incredibly beautiful home-based studio where she works with all kinds of artistic mediums. Below you’ll find some links where you can learn more about Cathe’s art. (Be sure to look at the article from Women Create for some incredible eye-candy and full-size photos of the ones I have above)!

• Women Create: Article on Cathe Holden
• Cathe’s Moda Bio and Fabric Collections
• Cathe’s Instagram

Thanks so much for stopping by to read the Junk Journal for Quilters and Sewists post.

Happy quilting!