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Project Guide: Sensory Book
Sensory books, also known as busy books and quiet books, are absolutely wonderful for little hands and minds. Not only do sensory books help to keep kiddos busy, but with Designs by JuJu’s extensive library of deluxe and add-on pages, the options for customization are endless. You are sure to find many unique and engaging options to meet the sensory needs of all ages of kiddos.
In today’s blog post, I am going to show you the supplies needed to create your own sensory book, a tutorial for creating a deluxe page and supplemental add-on pages, and the customization options you can use to make your own sensory book special and unique for your little one(s).
Supplies
Check out Embroidery Supplies JuJu Uses for our favorite supplies!
- Felt (glitter, patterned, solid colors, etc.) - I prefer to use a stiffer felt for durability
- Tear Away Stabilizer
- Clear vinyl - I use 12-gauge
- Embroidery Thread
- DBJJ Instructions PDF (included with your design purchase)
- DBJJ Designs
- Busy Book Covers 4 - SKU: DBJJITH049
- Busy Book Page Shape Match Deluxe - SKU: DBJJITH065
- Busy Book Page Crayons Coloring Deluxe - SKU: DBJJITH068
- Busy Book Page Monster Cookies Counts Deluxe - SKU: DBJJITH060
- Busy Book Page Lace Buckle Dexlue - SKU: DBJJITH061
- Busy Book Page Bunny add-on - SKU: DBJJITH056
- Busy Book Page Unicorn add-on - SKU: DBJJITH059
Optional
- Crinkle Material (often found in baby toys to make noise)
- Buttons, beads, pom poms, etc.
- Faux leather (can be used instead of felt for sensory book pieces)
- Pinking shears (to trim pages)
- Colored bobbins (if you want the bobbin thread to match the top thread)
Before you begin, I highly recommend reviewing How to Plan Your One-of-a-Kind Busy Book. I also suggest reading through DBJJ’s step-by-step tutorials included with every deluxe page and add-on page. Each design has its own PDF tutorial with supply lists and detailed instructions included with your purchase.
How to Make a Sensory Book
Most sensory books will have a front and back cover, 2–3 deluxe set pages, and 3 or 5 add-on pages (depending on the number of deluxe pages). Deluxe design pages are a set of two pages that go together, whereas the add-on activities are meant to be used on the backs of the deluxe pages. In today’s tutorial, I am going to be making the Busy Book Page Lace Buckle Deluxe and the Busy Book Page Unicorn Add-On. I have already created my sensory book front and back covers and many other deluxe and add-on pages.
I start by laying out my felt and choosing colors that look cohesive together. I also think about any accessories or specialty items I would like to use (faux leather, buttons, beads, ribbons, crinkle material, etc.). This is a great time to allow your little one to help and use their imagination and creativity in choosing pages, felt, and accessories.
How to Stitch a Blank Pocket Page
Once I have selected my supplies, I make my blank pocket page. I find it easier to get this page completed before I begin my deluxe pages.
Step 1: Hoop tear-away stabilizer.
Step 2: Stitch placement line for page/felt.
Step 3: Place felt over placement lines and tack it down.
Step 4: Stitch the pocket placement.
Step 5: Fold the clear vinyl in half lengthwise and line it up with the top of the placement line. Use a small piece of felt or cardboard under the pocket to give the pocket some extra space for add-on pieces.
Step 6: Stitch the pocket down.
Step 7: Unhoop your stabilizer and trim the pocket sides/bottom. Trim around the stabilizer, but do not remove it completely. This will make it easier when you add it to the back of your deluxe pages. Set this page aside for later.
How to Stitch Deluxe Pages
Now that I have completed the blank pocket page, it is time to stitch the Busy Book Page Lace Buckle Deluxe pages. As stated before, every deluxe page set has its own detailed PDF tutorial included with your purchase. For this tutorial, I will be giving some basic instructions that apply to all deluxe pages. The general process is the same, but make sure you are familiar with the stitching steps for the specific design you have chosen.
Step 1: Hoop tear-away stabilizer and stitch any special pieces needed for your deluxe pages. I am stitching the shoe pieces following the directions provided in the PDF included with my purchase. Most deluxe pages will require multiple hoopings per page.
Step 2: Hoop tear away stabilizer and stitch the placement line for the left page.
Step 3: Place felt and tack down page outline.
Step 4: Complete decorative features/designs for left page following directions provided in the PDF included with purchase.
Step 5: Remove hoop from machine and flip to the underside of the hoop (where the bobbin thread is)
Step 6: Secure a second piece of tear-away stabilizer (for added structure) with a piece of felt on top to the underside of the hoop. This will be a blank page for your add-on designs when your book is complete. I am using a coordinating bobbin thread for this step.
Step 7: Put the hoop back on the machine and stitch the final outer page line and ring holes.
Step 8: Unhoop the left page and tear away all stabilizer.
Step 9: Trim around pages using scissors or pinking shears. I trim my pages within ¼” of the stitching.
This completes the left page of your deluxe design. Set this page aside.
Now it is time to assemble the right side of the deluxe page.
Complete steps 1–4 again for the right page following any specific design stitching/directions included in your PDF instructions.
Step 5: Remove hoop from machine and flip to the underside of the hoop (where the bobbin thread is).
Step 6: Line up the edges of the Blank Pocket page (stitched earlier) as close to the page outline stitches as possible. This takes some finagling, but be patient.
Step 7: Once you have it lined up with the outline stitches, secure the Blank Pocket page with tape.
Step 8: Put the hoop back on the machine and stitch the final outer page line and ring holes. Again, I am using coordinating bobbin thread for this step.
Step 9: Unhoop the right page and tear away all stabilizer.
Step 10: Trim around pages using scissors or pinking shears. I trim my pages within ¼” of the stitching.
Step 11: Punch holes in both the left and right deluxe pages using a hole punch.
Step 12: Your right deluxe page is now finished.
How to Stitch an Add-on Activity
Now that your deluxe pages are complete, it is time to create an add-on activity. I will be stitching the Busy Book Page Unicorn Add-On. The add-on pages are a ton of fun and give you so much design creativity.
Step 1: Hoop tear-away stabilizer.
Step 2: Stitch the placement line for the individual pieces; each piece has its own placement line.
Step 3: Place your felt on top of the placement lines and stitch tack-down stitches, applique, and detail stitches, following the directions in your included PDF instructions. (Optional: You can add crinkle material to your add-on pieces during this step. Set it on top of the placement stitch, then place your felt on top.)
Step 4: Take your hoop off of the machine and turn it over so you can see the back of the hoop (where your bobbin stitches are). Place another piece of felt over the design outline and attach securely using tape. Do not remove your stabilizer from the hoop.
Step 5: Repeat the above steps for all add-on pieces.
Step 6: When all pieces are stitched, remove all tear-away stabilizer and trim around pieces.
Step 7 (Optional): You can add velcro to your felt pieces if you prefer, but this is not necessary.
How to Assemble Your Sensory Book
Now that your pages and add-on pieces are complete, it is time to assemble your sensory book. I have created numerous deluxe pages and add-on pages over the years. My daughter enjoys switching out the pages depending on what skills we are working on. You can also add names or other customizations to the cover and pages using built-in fonts on your machine or embroidery software. Additionally, you can get creative with other DBJJ designs and appliques using the basic Busy Book Page templates. Once you have made one page, you’ll be hooked!
Busy Book Covers 4 - SKU: DBJJITH049
I hope this tutorial was helpful and has given you some inspiration to make your own sensory book! The design possibilities are truly limitless. Enjoy the process of creating your own customized sensory book together with your special little one.
Don't forget to share your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #designsbyjuju!
