Busy Book

Awhile back my daughter mentioned that she had been looking for a book for Sofia that had buttons, hooks, zipper, etc. and had not had any luck and this planted an idea. I decided to make such a book as a special birthday gift for my granddaughter. It turned out to be a big project, starting with the design, shopping for all the parts, then rather time-consuming construction. But it was well worth it. She loves it and I am quite pleased with it. Were I to make another I might make a few changes, but all in all it works like I wanted it to.

Some of the tasks are easy. Some are challenging for a two-year-old, but the idea was for her to learn and for it to be of interest for more than just the present. The design is all my own and I limited it to things that open and close.

Even the cover has a closure—big wooden bead/toggle thingy and an elastic loop.

This first page is one I would do differently. The decorative stitching is messy. The varying thickness of the edge, plus the sewn-in zipper made it really difficult to stitch neatly.

Eyelet lacing and bow tying. I'm sure it will be awhile before she can do this.

Big snap. The heart comes out of the little purse, but is permanantly attached with a piece of cord.

Velcro

Button. The star resides in the pocket.

Hooks

My sewing machine can be programmed to make words. This is the first time I've ever used that function.