Free Digital Scrapbook Layout - Sewing with Photoshop

Need a good idea for a scrapbook page? Do you like the hand-sewn look that is cropping up in all of the scrapbooks these days? Well, look no further. You can get that look on the computer and don't have to spend hours wearing your fingers to the nub with a needle and thread. This template may be used with any digital photo program, but for the purposes of this tutorial, I will be explaining how to use Photoshop.

Step 1: It's All About the Background, Baby!

To make this page, it requires a little bit of preparation for the background. Now, you can either create your own digital paper in another file, that may be used in the future, or just create it as a layer in your page. I chose to make a new type of paper, so that I can use it in the future. To make the bar code stripes, I opened a new document in Photoshop. I made the page 6x6 with a resolution of 300 pixels/inch. This will make the illustration larger in size, but of better quality. In order to create the bar code stripes, I simple chose the rectangle tool from the menu to the right and chose the color I wanted to start with first. I then drew multiple rectangles from the top, to the bottom of the page, varying the width. I repeated this for each color I wanted to use, making sure to vary the pattern a little. From here, I saved the file as a .jpg file that I can use in the future. Easy as pie!

Step 2: Setting the stage for the page.

In order to create the background for the actual page I was doing, I started with a new, clean page at 6x6 with a 300 pixel/inch resolution. From here I dragged in a copy of my bar code paper, making it a new background. In order to create the top and bottom of the page, I simply made two rectangles of differing colors and then copied them to make them the exact same size and placed them on the page.

Step 3: Adding the picture.

In order to add my picture, I opened it in a different window and cropped and resized it to fit the page. Then, I simply dragged it onto the page and using the effects menu (the little fx on the bottom right hand of your layers menu) I used the stroke option, which opens a new window. From here you can choose the thickness and color of the border of your picture. This saves some time instead of creating a separate rectangle to place behind your picture. Either way will work. Once you have the right size and color, hit the OK button and you'll have a nicely bordered picture.

Step 4: The Hitch is in the Stitch.

The stitching is the best part of the page. It adds the character and takes it from plain the interesting. There are easier ways to create the stitching, however, I find it more realistic if i create it by hand, so to speak. I like the unevenness that would come with real hand sewing. In order to create the stitching in all areas, I used the line tool. You will find this by right clicking the rectangle tool on the menu to your left and selecting the line instead. I simply created lines wherever I wanted to have a stitch. This may take a moment, but believe me, when it's finished, it'll look great. In order to have a straight line, hold down the shift key while you drag it onto the page, this will keep it from slanting at all in odd places. In order to get the uneven spacing between the lines, use the erase function on the left hand menu. This is the box with the little eraser. I set the erase size by changing the brush stroke. I recommend using a 9. Now, take the eraser and erase the lines, wherever the stitching would be going into the fabric. This takes a moment, but will give you the look of it being hand-sewn.

Step 5: The Realism is in the Details.

Without effects, the stitches look like just any other dotted line. In order to get more realism, go to the effects menu on the right hand side again. From the drop down menu, choose drop shadow and beveling/embossing. These will open new windows for you to add the shading and the 3-D effects. Choose the amount of shading and rounding that you want and hit OK when you're done. This will make the stitches look more interesting and real.

Step 6: The Title and Journaling.

In order to create the B, I simply created a rectangle in brown and added a second rectangle inside. You could also do this by using the stroke effect. I created stitches with the line tool on the inside and used a Comic Sans B. For the rest of the lettering I used Comic Sans in an appropriate font. Nothing to it.

Now you have a page and some great skills to use elsewhere. Whether you want to create a digital scrapbook about quilting for mom or give a digital art creation a hand sewn look, you've got a great start to making your own digital scrapbook creations.