Nine Patch Bookmark With Plastic Canvas Pattern

Free Plastic Canvas Bookmark Pattern and Video Tutorial! It's quick and easy to make!

This pretty plastic canvas project is perfect for any quilter - an adorable nine-patch bookmark. The nine patch quilt block is one of the most classic quilt designs, and now you can stitch it into a handy little bookmark with this tutorial.

With just a few basic supplies - 7-count plastic canvas, scrap yarn, plastic canvas needle and scissors - you can complete this plastic canvas bookmark in about an hour or two.  You’ll only need to know two simple stitches: the continental stitch and the scotch stitch.

This project is the perfect scrap-busting craft.  You can use leftover plastic canvas pieces and yarn from other projects to create something new and useful.

Watch this video tutorial or follow the step-by-step photo guide below to make your own nine patch bookmark.

How to Make Nine Patch Plastic Canvas Bookmark

INSTRUCTIONS for making plastic canvas bookmarks :

STEP 1: Gather Supplies

You’ll need 7-mesh plastic canvas, scrap yarn, a plastic canvas needle and craft scissors.

For this project, I’ve made a chart to guide you. The free plastic canvas bookmark pattern can be found in the "Supporting Products and Links" section below.  Get your free, complimentary copy.

STEP 2: Prepare the plastic canvas

Using your scissors, cut a piece of plastic mesh canvas into a bookmark shape that measures 12 holes wide x 42 holes long.

STEP 3: Outline the Nine Patch Squares

The first thing you will do is prepare the nine patch squares by outlining them in your chosen yarn color.

Thread your needle with yarn.

Using the continental stitch (a diagonal stitch), stitch around the entire perimeter of the bookmark.

Start in the upper right corner, count to the left two holes and down one hole.Bring the needle up from the back through this hole, pull the yarn all the way through, leaving a one-inch tail that will be secured as you stitch.

To make the continental stitch, stitch up to the right, take the needle down diagonally over one mesh intersection.

For your next stitch bring the needle to the front one hole to the left of where you began the first stitch.

Again, move to the right, take the needle down in the next diagonal hole on the first row.

Work with the continental stitch to the end of the row, down the left side, across the bottom and back up the right side.

Next, we have to create three horizontal rows to form four boxes for the nine patch squares.

Referring to the chart, count down 10 empty mesh threads and insert the needle in one hole to the left of the stitched one. Stitch the row.

Repeat two more times to form evenly spaced squares.  Each time, count down 10 empty mesh threads and stitch a row. Your four outline boxes are complete.

STEP 4: Stitch the nine patch

It’s time to fill in the bookmark with the nine patch quilt block design using the scotch stitch.

Choose two yarn colors for the nine patch design – one will be used for five squares and the other for the remaining four. Thread your needle with the first color you want to use.

Starting in the top left corner of the top box you outlined earlier.  Bring the needle up from the back of the canvas, leaving a short tail that will be secured as you stitch.  Make your first stitch by inserting the needle in the space diagonally up and to the right (count one hole right and one hole up). You have crossed a thread intersection.

For the next stitch, bring the needle to the front one hole just below the stitch you just made and work another diagonal stitch slightly longer than the previous one, by skipping one hole and going down in the second hole.

Bring the needle up directly below the last stitch, skip two holes and go down into the third hole, forming the third diagonal stitch.

Once you’ve made the three increasing stitches, begin shortening them to complete the scotch stitch. 

Bring the needle up in the hole next to the last stitch. Make a shorter diagonal stitch by skipping one hole and going down in the second hole, which will be right below the last stitch.

Then finish with one more stitch that is even smaller; up directly next to the last stitch and down diagonally in the next hole.

This creates a neat little scotch stitch square and the first of the nine patch squares.

Fill the rest of the block by making four more squares in this first color, following the placement on the chart.After those are complete, switch to your second color of yarn and stitch the remaining four squares. 

When finished, you’ll have a full nine patch block.

Repeat this process to complete the remaining three boxes, so that all four outlined spaces on the bookmark are filled with the nine patch design.

STEP 5: Finish the edge

When all the nine patch squares are stitched, use the overcast stitch to neatly cover the outside edge of the bookmark.

Your nine patch bookmark is finished.It makes a wonderful, thoughtful handmade gift for any quilter. Or treat yourself.

Finishing Touch (Optional)

While the front of the bookmark showcases pretty stitching, the back may appear a bit messy.  You can finish the back neatly by attaching a piece of felt.See our bookmark finishing tutorial here.Enjoy creating your own nine-patch bookmark! Looking for a thoughtful gift idea? Pair a book with this bookmark for a meaningful birthday, Christmas, or "thinking of you" gift.

Have a fun stitching day.

More Bookmark patterns with plastic canvas:

• Ombre Bookmark by Needlepointers.com - Create a stunning bookmark using the vertical brick stitch.
• Heart Bookmark by Strings Away - Here is a sweet bookmark perfect for Valentine's Day.
• Feather Bookmark by Herrschners - Stitch up a bookmark shaped like whimsical feathers with this tutorial.