How to:

Cookbook &/or Laptop Stand

kootoyoo…click & stitch

• Embroidery floss, pillowcase, two lap size blackboards or timber off cuts, mailing cylinder, small hinges, craft glue araldite, floss & needle, press stud & sewing machine.

Step 2:

• Line the end of your mailing cylinder up along the bottom of the board & mark your cut line.

Step 3:

• Cut your cylinder to size.

Step 4:

• Visually divide your cylinder into thirds & cut away the top third of the cylinder.

Step 5:

• This bit takes some time. Be patient.• Tip: I have an old set of kitchen knives that live in the craft room for

exactly this sort of craft.

Step 6:

• Once you’ve cut your cylinder give it a light sand to remove the rough edges.

Step 7:

• Whip out the drill & drill some ventilation holes into one of the boards.

Step 8:

• Apply craft glue along the edge of one side of the cylinder.

Step 9:

• Position the cylinder so that the base of the curve is level with the base of the board.

• Once in position peg & weight the cylinder while the glue dries.

Step 10:

• Once the cylinder is dry it’s time to adhere the hinges.• Position your hinges on the inside of the boards. • Make sure you don’t stick your hinge to the same side of the board as your cylinder.

Step 11:

• Adhere your hinges to the board.• I chose to use glue as the screws that came with the hinges were too long

for the job. If you have some really teeny screws you could just use those.

Step 12:

• Now it’s time to move on to the embroidery.• Use your board as a guide & cut your pillowcase so that it is 1cm wider

than the board on each SIDE. Don’t worry about the top & bottom…we just want one long strip of fabric that is 2cms wider than the board.

Step 13:

• Now fold the pillowcase in half lengthways & press along the centre line.

Step 14:

• Using the mid line as a guide trace the text just below the press line as provided here……..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15238151@N02/4340367436/in/set-72157611194274805/

• OR use your own words or even a vintage embroidery pattern.

Step 15:

• Begin stitching.• I’ve used stem stitch because I love it. Use your favourite (or

speediest) stitch.

Step 16:

• Look it’s all finished. • Admire your stitchery, trace the letters with your fingers, give

yourself a pat on the back.

Step 17:

• Now refold the pillow case so that the wrong side of the embroidery is facing you.

Step 18:

• Using a .5cm seam allowance or the edge of your presser foot machine the both sides of the pillowcase.

Step 19:

• Turn the pillowcase in the right way & press.

Step 20:

• Now we need to make a little strap so that our “A frame” stands nicely.

• Cut a piece of scrap fabric (I used backed curtain fabric for strength), about 25cm long.

Step 21:

• Fold the fabric in half lengthways with right sides facing.• Machine along the long side.

Step 22:

• & one short side.

Step 23:

• Turn the strap in the right way & press gently.

Step 24:

• Now attach the male side of the press stud to the closed end of your strap as per the directions on the packet.

Step 25:

• Now pin & sew into position in the centre of the embroidered casing.

• The strap should be place on the inside seam of the embroidered side of the casing.

Step 26:

• Using the already positioned press stud as a guide for the position of the female part of the stud.

Step 27:

• Now attach the female press stud to the outside seam of the blank side of the casing.

• Ensure you only attach the stud to the casing NOT the strap too.

Step 28:

• Insert the “A frame” into the casing beginning with the cylinder end.

Step 29:

• Gently ease the fabric over the hinges & down to cover the back of the “A frame”.

Step 30:

• Once your frame is covered mark the position of the strap on the under side of the cylinder.

Step 31:

• Make three long stitches between the lines you marked.

Step 32:

• Now blanket stitch to strengthen the three long stitches.• We are just basically covering the stitches with blanket stitch.

Step 33:

• “Hide” your floss end as pictured.

Step 34:

• Now feed your strap through the blanket stitched loop & fasten.

Finished

• Use your stand for books or notebooks.©copyright 2010

www.kootoyoo.com