i made these extra large journals for myself for years before making them for my shop.
i didn’t realize how many of you would appreciate these great big books, they initially felt quite specific to my creative process. it is also challenging to find a large enough piece of plant-dyed fabric for the back and cover that is free of flaws. i now love to celebrate the “imperfections” in my plant-dyed fabrics, embracing the mottled and variegated tones and using patches and stitch work. 

i am always a little surprised at how quickly i can fill one of these 116-page books. each time i make a new one for myself, i make a batch for my shop.

how do i use my books?
• i fill my journals with to-do lists, brainstorms, drawings, project plans, and notes. the pages show me the way my mind works and the pages unfold in a chronology to document how i spend my days. i am constantly referring back.

• my journals are stuffed full of pages torn from magazines, copies of inspiring images from books, and bits of fabric and thread. i use a glue stick, all sorts of tapes, and straight pins to attach things to my pages.

 • the extra large pages give me freedom to explore – i use the spread in all different orientations.

• most importantly, my books are not precious. i am not afraid to use them. i do not evaluate if something is “important enough” to take up space. this freedom is an essential part of my creative process.




from left to right: i had my big book with me as I explored applique quilts with sara buscaglia from farm & folk (and a great group of fellow students) at an inspiring workshop hosted by botanical colors. • designing iterations for a new DIY kit  • filling pages with flower sketches as i make plant-dyed wool felt blooms for my 100 day project. • preparing to teach a stitching class at the lamb & kid, i take notes and outline the plan for the afternoon.

whether you fill the pages of your extra-large handbound journal with sketches or poems or lists or garden plans, i hope it inspires your creativity in an expansive way.

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i received a handful of requests to include a small pair of scissors with the plant-dyed needle book with pocket. this little pair fits perfectly and comes with a plant-dyed tip cover, you can order your needle book with or without the snips. this makes a perfect little traveling sewing kit. 

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there was a hummingbird buzzing outside my window this morning and the birds on my property are going crazy. spring is in the air! find spring-inspired stitching projects in my collection of over 50 free sewing tutorials. happy stitching!



PS: myra is requesting to be included in the pages of my extra-large hand bound journal.