(If you marked your page with pencil, this is the time to erase. It takes a little practice, but try not to let the idea intimidate you. Before you start to stitch, make sure your bobbin has enough thread to finish the job. Get Set Place your page on a surface that is firm, yet allows a little "give. A few tips: 1. Now you can fill in the design with chalk, if you wish. Sewing and embroidery adds dimension without a lot of bulk and has the added benefit of attaching elements to the page in the process. Use them all, or just one or two. . Do not "knot" the thread as you would when sewing on fabric by going over the same spot repeatedly.) Stitch! Stitch the design. For larger holes, use a pushtack or a paper piercing tool. 2." I like to use a mouse pad or my Coluzzle mat. The backstitch is the simplest, but you can experiment with different stitches as you practice the technique. Here are more ideas: 1. Or use one or two strands of more than one color. Secure the thread underneath by adhering it to piece of paper, and it will not unravel. You can also use a pillow, cushion, or a piece of Styrofoam. 2. Draw attention to a photo by stitching on the mat 7. Where can you find simple designs? Make a freehand drawing or trace your favorite designs from diecuts, stickers, stamps or templates. Here are two ideas I loved from Creating Keepsakes magazine: Trace a design from your kids' favorite coloring books or trace around your child's hand or foot and embroider Anti-bacterial polyester yarns the outline. Both techniques are easier than you might think. Now pierce holes in the cardstock about every 1/8 of an inch depending on the effect you want to achieve, while following the lines of your design. Embellish journaling blocks. Adhere vellum to your background. If your bobbin runs out of thread midway, you will be left with holes in the paper that you will have to work to conceal. Popular choices for scrapbooking embroidery include snowflakes, fish, hearts, and flowers, but you can use absolutely any simple design you can find. Try stitching it on instead. Once you have had a little practice, you may want to start sewing on everything. Again, you will want to consider the look you are trying to achieve before choosing a tool. 4. Do not try to machine stitch more than 3 layers at a time. Floss is inexpensive, widely available, and comes in every shade imaginable. (Vellum is translucent, so it will often show the glue that lies beneath it. The Possibilities You can stitch with thread, ribbon, yarn, raffia, jute, fibers, and embroidery floss, such as DMC. Create paper or fabric pockets to hold journaling blocks, extra photos, or simple memorabilia. Hand Stitching and Embroidery Get Ready Use a pencil to lightly draw the design on cardstock (regular paper generally is not strong enough to withstand all the extra handling that sewing requires. You can also apply chalk directly to the floss to create just the right color. One popular technique combines sewing with tearing. 6. Create your own backgrounds and borders by piecing together cardstock blocks or strips. Stitch around lettering and titles. Machine Sewing on Paper Machine sewing on paper is much the same as sewing on fabric.> I love the look of sewing on all my papercrafts, from scrapbooking layouts to greeting cards.) Another option is to draw or trace a simple design onto lightweight paper (such as tracing paper) and temporarily adhere it to your page so it does not wiggle around during the next step. 8. Sew along an edge first, then tear just on the other side of your stitches. You can sew by hand or with your machine. Create decorative handmade accents that you attach to a page. Plus you control the thickness because each floss is made up of 6 strands. Push the torn edge up. Embellish and attach diecuts for a custom, dimensional look. 5. If you will be using thread or floss, use a straightpin, a needle, or a safety pin. You can embellish later when you fill in your design with chalks or colored pencils. What to stitch? It is generally best to keep your design simple and stick to just the outline of the image. Here is a simple how to. Choose a piercing tool most appropriate for the thickness of your thread.