Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Quiet Book Templates



Thank you for all the kind comments about the quiet books.  I was happy to hear that several of you plan on making one. (You can see them HERE.)


First lets talk about supplies.
Contrary to popular belief I didn't use felt for my quiet book pages.  I used Pellon.  If you like felt you'll love Pellon.  It doesn't stretch or loose it shape and it doesn't get little fuzzy balls all over it like felt does.  I would have made my entire book out of Pellon except it only comes in white--as far as I'm aware anyway.  Back in the day when my mom made quite books she did the entire thing out of Pellon and painted all the pictures and pieces.  They've held up extremely well over the years and are still like new.  I've tried painting Pellon for a previous project and it isn't easy, so I opted out, but tried to use it where I could.  The Pellon I used for the pages was the thick non-fusible kind.  I also used a thin kind in other places.  Pellon can be found at JoAnns by the interfacing and fusible webbing.  If you can't find it just ask.  They'll know what you're talking about.


For all the pictures on my pages I decided to use felt.  It's so much easier to use than fabric since you don't have to worry about fraying or finishing edges.  The down side of felt is that sometimes it doesn't hold up very well.  I was putting a lot of time into these books and I wanted them to look good for along time.  I was really hoping that I could find some fabulous colored Pellon out there, but no such luck.  I then remembered seeing some stiff felt at JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby and decided to use that instead of the regular kind in hopes that it would hold up better.  It's been working great so far.  I didn't use stiff felt for everything, but I'd say I used it for about 80% of the book.


Each of my books has eleven pages plus the cover page.  I had too many ideas to make them the same so each book has two original pages--my daughter has the ballet slipper and dress up doll, and my son's book has the tennis racket and zipper page.  There's also a kite puzzle page that I decided not to do but am providing it for you.  I don't have a template for the zipper page since it seems self explanatory.

For velcro I used the clear sticky dots. These books don't really need clear velcro but I love that kind because it is so ultral thin and I thought it would help limit the bulkiness of the books.  I get my velcro at Walmart.

This book requires a lot of fusible webbing and ironing.  I think the easiest way to do this process is to place your template under the fusible webbing and trace it.  Remember to do the reverse image.  Then roughly cut out your picture--not on the lines.  Iron onto your felt (be sure to use a press cloth to protect your iron) and then cut out your picture on the lines.  This method is the easiest way to do it.

To download:
1. Click on the picture or the link.
2. Click on the word "download"
3. Print

Each template should print out on a full horizontal 8 1/2 x 11" paper.  If it doesn't print out on the full page something's wrong.  Each page includes some simple assembly instructions.  Most pages are done like I did my dinosaur mat here.


And the moment you've all been waiting for . . .
The templates!

You can view the supply list HERE.


(To print templates: Click on picture and then copy and save to your computer.  Open in a Word document and reduce your margins to zero.  Expand to 100% and print.)












Road signs and circus monkey can be found HERE. You can either print them out on a thin Pellon straight from your printer or you can use iron-on transfer paper and iron the images onto a thick Pellon.  I chose to use the transfer paper since I already had some.























I've received comments from people surprised that I was giving away all this information for free.  But this is why I created this blog, to share ideas but to also make those ideas doable for you. Please be respectful of my ideas and templates that I'm graciously sharing with you.  Personal use only please.  Thanks!  And have fun!!!

If you make a quiet book I'd love to see it.


73 comments:

  1. A huge thank you for sharing your templates, so kind! I shall start on these for my boys tonight, hopefully they will turn out ok! Thanks for the tip about not using felt!

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing these!! I can hardly wait to get started!

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  3. These are adorable! Thanks for sharing them!

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  4. Wonderful templates. Thank you for sharing. I think I should get a head start and make a few for Christmas presents!

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  5. Thanks for sharing. I have been working on one and I am almost done. How did you make the cover? I loved it all. Thanks again.

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  6. Wow! These pages are so awesome!! I linked to your post at Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-quiet-book-templates/2011/01/18/

    --Anne

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  7. I am in the middle of making a quiet book right now and these pages are great! Thank you for sharing!

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  8. Thanks for sharing! Quiet books are always wonderful to have on hand.

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing these. They are awesome. I plan on going to the fabric store today. I just have a couple of questions. What type of material did you use for the cover? And how exactly did you make the cover? Also am I understand right that you used the sticky back velcro and not the sew on? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I so excited to make a quiet book.
    thanks again
    sueellenhafen@yahoo.com

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  10. Thanks ☺ that is SO great!

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  11. Thanks for sharing! I loved getting to see your templates.

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  12. thank you for not just the templates, but the details on what you did, I think its super helpful to getting started and organized!

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  13. Amy you're the BEST! I'm getting all my supplies together by the end of the month and starting the first weekend of Feb. We're taking a long plane ride in May so these are gonna be perfect for my little guys ::)
    Thanks so much for sharing!

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  14. I made a huge felt play mat for my Nephew and now I'm thinking why didn't I use Pellon!! Well, I didn't know about it! The mat was inspired by your travel mats, thank you, it turned out great! :)) Now I just hope it will be durable and stay beautiful!

    By the way, your quiet books look great!!! Totally the most professional looking than I'm ever seen before!!

    I'm flying to Finland in two weeks with our son and now I'm thinking of these books... Would I have time to do this?? Well, at least if I use your templates.. :) Thaks, for sharing!! Super friendly! :)

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  15. You are awesome. Thank you SO much for this. It's such a great idea.

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  16. I am so excited for these, but I am looking how to do the cover....am I missing something?

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  17. You are so incredibly nice to give us these templates! I cannot wait to make one! I featured you on blog as well.

    Thanks again!

    Lois

    www.auntielolocrafts.blogspot.com

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  18. Thnx so much for sharing! What wonderful ideas & instructions. As I was reading your comments about colored Pellon I thought about the baby onesies that I've recently dyed. Do you think Rit Dye would work? hummmmm, might just need to throw some in & see what happens! LOVE the pellon idea!

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  19. I just found your site ........ these are awesome! I am so excited to get started. Thank you.

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  20. Oh WOW! You are AMAZING! Thank you so much for putting all this info up for free. I totally need to make 2 of these for my kiddos!

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  21. I love this! I saw your thumbnail on Sew Much Ado. I've been trying to compile a quiet book for my daughter. I love the ballet slipper instead of an ugly tennis shoe. Thanks for the templates!

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  22. Thank you for all of these patterns! I cannot wait to make a quiet book!

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  23. Thank you so much for providing these templates! You have no idea how long I have been looking for something like this! I can't wait to make a quiet book now! Thanks again.

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  24. Thank you, thank you! I think I've found a new favorite blog! :)

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  25. THanks for sharing!! I have been on the lookout for cute quiet book patterns for my little one.

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  26. Thank you so much for sharing these templates. I have always wanted to make a quiet book but I wouldn't even know where to get started. This has got to be the most darling quiet book I have seen. Thanks again for sharing your talent with us!

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  27. Thanks so much for sharing your templates! New follower and love your blog. Kerri

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  28. I've been searching for quiet book ideas and yours are by far the best I've seen!! I can't wait to make one of our own. Thanks for sharing :)

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  29. Love love love! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to make one!

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  30. Many thanks for the templates--you have made almost all the pages I was trying (unsuccessfully!) to make from scratch! Now it almost feels possible for this newbie to accomplish...almost! One question on your supply list: what's the difference between felt and stiff felt?? Like I said, newbie!

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  31. Lilita-
    Stiff felt is just that, felt that's stiff. It can be found by the regular felt at a craft store.

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  32. Wow, thanks so much for sharing these templates!and of course for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday! All the best!

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  33. This is fantistic! Thanks for sharing

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  34. Oh this is wonderful! Thank you for sharing! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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  35. Your felt projects really inspire me! I am going to start making some of these for holiday gifts I think. Especially love the doll page, I used to play paper dolls constantly!

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  36. what a beautiful book! thank you so much for sharing your templates and pictures of your book. i was immediately inspired to make one for my daughter and used several of your templates - so thank you again!

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  37. Love the book! Can you tell me what the finished dimensions are of the book. I am assuming 81/2 by 11, but can't seem to find it written anywhere. Thanks!
    chdnkt@yahoo.com

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  38. Thank you so much for sharing!!! I'm nearly done with baby-girl's book, thanks to your wonderful templates, and have pages prepped for big sis's book! I used a polyester blanket (one of those stiff white ones) for the pages-- ironing shrinks it up a bit and makes it behave like super thick pellon-- nice, smooth, and fray-free.
    Thank you again for such a generous pattern!

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  39. Hi,

    Wondering whether you have a Feed the Monkey template? Hope you can provide some guidance how to do it. I have tried whole day yesterday to draw my own, but just cannot get it right.

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  40. bbruei-
    If you look through the post you will find a link to the road signs and monkey. You can print the monkey out on iron transfer paper or straight onto a thin pellon. I hope that answers your question. Let me know if you need any more help.

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  41. Here is one thing I want to add and one thing I want to change.... Instead of a flower for my son I think I will make a clock complete with minute and second hand attached with a brad. Also I might add a page for the ten commandment pictures. Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  42. I have just found your blog and your work is fantastic. You are so generous for sharing it. Thank you so much!!!!

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  43. I've been putting together ideas for a quiet book for over a year now and am SO thankful you posted these tips and ideas. Thanks a million for sharing your talents, time and ideas with us! I'll for sure be using these on my daughters books. You're wonderful!

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  44. You have SO many wonderful ideas here! Thanks so much for sharing them! I do have a question, though--do you use the fusible webbing for added strength, or just to skip sewing on pieces, or both? I have everything else I need to start making my books for my girls, but then I noticed your recommendation of fusible webbing, which I don't have, and am now wondering if I need... thanks for any help you can provide. :) Again, great work. Thanks so, so, SO much for putting them out here for us.

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  45. Jessie,
    The fusible webbing doesn't add any strength it just makes piecing everything together so much easier (and makes cutting out small pieces of felt so much easier too). I top stitched most of my pieces after I fused them on, but not all of them. The fusible webbing glues it on pretty good. Hope that helps. Have fun!

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  46. I love this book and am in the process of making 3 of them! I was just wondering what you used to punch your holes and if you reinforced them with anything? Your input is very much appreciated. Thanks again for such a great tutorial!
    Shalee

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  47. I love it and am in the process of making two, soon to be three for the grandkids! Did you use the sticky velcro or did you sew it on? I can't find any of the sticky that says "not recommended for fabric". Also, would fabric glue hold it on good enough? Thank you so much for inspiring me!

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  48. Sorry, just proof-read my question...all of the sticky velcro I can find says "not recommended for fabric" :)

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  49. Hi! I'm not sure if you are still checking this, but I have a questions about your quiet books. How did you hold your book together? I noticed you cut perfectly round holes (how?), did you use ribbon to tie the whole thing together? Thanks!

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  50. Belnap Family & Whimsy-
    I used a paper hole punch to put the holes in my pages and then tied them together with ribbon. I did not reinforce them with anything. The pellon is strong enough that you don't need too especially after you sew the two pages together.

    knightriders-
    I used sticky back velcro simply because it was the thinnest I could find. Sewing it on is a great option and I'm sure glue would work great too.

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  51. Thanks SOOO much. Really I cant thank you enough. Our expenses are going to be pretty tight this year and I have been SEARCHING for ideas for xmas. And this is something i can do. Its knocking off FOUR kiddos off my list. Amazing idea. thanks again!
    Courtney

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  52. Thank you so much for these templates! I made the dress up doll for my daughter's quiet book, and plan on making her the barn for Christmas!

    http://itsourlongstory.blogspot.com/2011/10/quiet-book.html

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  53. I love these templates! Thanks for taking out so much of the guesswork. I also love the supply list you included, although I think you need more stiff Pellon than you mentioned. My Pellon was only 19.5" wide, so I could only get 14 pages in 1.5 yards. For two books you need 24 pages (cover page plus 11 more per book, so I think you need a total of about 2.5 yards of Pellon. Was your Pellon a different width?

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  54. Excellent pieces. Keep posting such kind of information on your blog. I really impressed by your blog.
    Android app development| Android app developer|

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  55. Thank you so much for sharing these! I just finished all the pages for my boys' quiet books that I have made for Christmas but I can't figure out how you made the cover. Could you help me? Thanks! katedlee2 at gmail dot com

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  56. I'm so excited to make my first quiet book as a birthday present for my nephew. I'd like to jump on the how-do-you-make-the-cover thread that is throughout your comments. Thank you so much for your generosity!

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  57. Whoops! Found the cover info. Sorry =)

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  58. http://sweetmamaduck.blogspot.com/2012/01/quiet-book-revealed.html

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  59. Just made one! Used a template of yours... check it out.
    http://sweetmamaduck.blogspot.com/2012/01/quiet-book-revealed.html

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  60. You...are...AWESOME!!! I hope I can make the time to complete two books for my twin 12-month-old daughters! :) Thanks SO MUCH for the templates!!!

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  61. I didn't read through all your comments so I don't konw if any one mentioned this, but you can color Pelon with crayons, you just have to iron off the wax onto a paper bag. Your book is really nice! I love the quiet book I made with pelon pages much better than the fabric ones.

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  62. Hi Amy. Thanks so much. I went to Joann's and the only pellon they had didn't look or feel anything like felt. It had a very smooth surface. But it was non-fusible and heavy weight. In the picture, yours looks like it has more texture. Do I have the wrong stuff?

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  63. This will be a great book for my grandson! Thanks for your wonderful ideas!

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  64. I agree with everyone else. Thank you so much for sharing these for free! I know my children will love these pages and I appreciate you making my job that much easier.

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  65. This is SO awesome! Thank you!!!

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  66. if you enjoy making Quiet Book please join us on facebook with The Quiet Book Club were we share ideas and tips and pics with one another ;) http://www.facebook.com/quietbookclub#!/groups/quietbookclub/

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  67. I loved your quiet book, you helped inspire me with some pages. How can I post my photos?

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  68. My sister is having her first baby this fall and I would love to try and make a book like this! I am a teacher, and usually give at least ONE book to a new baby. This will make a great keepsake for him or her! Thanks for the idea and the willingness to share your creativity for free!

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