no measuring and no poking.....i really like it. My kind of junk journal. Thank you.

Love the moment when you realized the green would make a good cover 😊

Just wanted to suggest a couple tips regarding your thread bunching up. If you mean it is jamming up immediately upon beginning to stitch, there are two things you may want to check on. The first of these is to be sure the machine is threaded correctly. Having worked at a sewing machine dealership for many years, selling and educating owners on how to use their new machines, most common issues are a case of mis-threading the machine. Be sure to lift the presser foot to the UP position before you begin to thread. This opens the space and releases the tension of the two tension disks so you can get the thread inserted between the disks properly. If your foot is in the down position the tension disks are pressed tight against each other to apply tension to the thread so a well-formed stitch can be created. As you're threading the machine you should be holding the thread taut with your right hand holding the thread at the top, coming off the spool, near the first thread guide. Typically, there are 2-3 thread guides to go through prior to going through the tension disks. There's typically another thread guide to go through after the tension disks, and prior to the take-up hook. This is the lever like device that moves up and down as you sew. There will be several more thread guides prior to going through the eye of the needle. Just prior to threading the needle, I always taught my new owners to "floss" the thread. By this, I mean you should still be holding the thread taut with both hands, so you can easily pull the thread back and forth to feel if it is catching on anything in the threading path. This also acts to help seat the thread securely within the tension disks where it needs to be. If it feels rough when flossing, you either do not have the presser foot UP/tension disks are not open and released of their tension, or the thread might have fallen to the outside of the disk rather than between the disks. Re-thread again holding thread taut as it goes through the tension disks and try flossing again. I used to tell my students, "Thread it like you mean it" meaning to hold the thread taut, not wimpy. Thread under tension/tautness behaves itself and goes where you direct it. Once you feel a smooth pull of the thread, go ahead and lower your presser foot. With the foot lowered, you will feel the thread pulling harder since it is under tension. Next thread the needle. I noticed someone else below has already suggested you check to be sure your needle is inserted correctly. You'll find this info in the beginning of your manual. I've found that the majority of machines now days thread from front to back. The commenter is correct that the groove side of the needle is the front of the needle. You will not get a stitch if the needle is inserted wrong. If you have an older machine, some of those did thread left to right. I've got an old vintage Singer that actually threads right to left. The second thing to check is that the bobbin is inserted correctly. Your manual will also tell you this as well. If the bobbin is inserted backwards, you'll get whiplashing of your bobbin thread that can cause issues and jamming in the bobbin. Most of the time, I would tell my customers to set their tension of the tension disks to the middle number of the dial as this is usually a good midway starting point. I usually tell them not to mess with the bobbin tension at all unless they have had someone teach them about resetting it as there are no numbers on the bobbin holders. Really the only reason to loosen or tighten tension is when you are using a thicker or thinner thread or working on a project with special effect techniques such as sewing with cords or ribbons in your bobbin, or if you are using specialty threads on the top tension. Some people like to purposely throw off the top tension for "artistic" reasons. I see a lot of examples with sewing on cloth, paper and mixed media items using what a seamstress would describe as "poor" tension as a form of artistic expression. You certainly would not want to have the tension so loose or tight to the point it hindered the machine from forming the stitch though. Another thought I might add is in regard to whether you have a machine with an oscillating hook or a rotary hook. The hook is located in the bobbin area. It is the device that moves in order to catch the thread feeding off the bobbin to form the stitch. When using an oscillating hook type machine, I always recommend to my new owners to place the thread coming from the needle under the presser foot and pulled toward the back of the machine. By doing this, your lowered presser foot holds the thread tail in place as the machine starts the stitch and the rising of the take-up hook and the movement of the needle does not create a loose thread situation that leads to tangled or jammed thread. Some lower priced, hobby type machines with oscillating hook have a real tendency to pull the thread out of the needle or to loop up underneath creating what we always called a "bird's nest" below the fabric and/or under the needle plate. The other very easy way to prevent this is to just lower the needle into the material and begin the stitch with the needle down. Many people use scraps of fabric as leaders and enders not just to save wasted thread, but also so they are always sewing with the thread tails held for them in those small pieces of fabric as they begin the stitch. Hope these suggestions are helpful to you so you are able to play with stitching on your beautiful journals. Let me know if you have more questions. I've taught machine sewing for many years and worked with a huge variety of learners. If you're less of a written word type learner and more a visual learner, other's comments about finding a video on KZfaq are very helpful. It's more about locating just the right video that will answer your particular incident. Thank you for all you do showing all of us your methods and techniques.

Thank you! I love your journal style, but this video had an extra light bulb moment for me. I often have papers I love that are too big to make embellishments but too small for signature pages. Your patchwork pages are the perfect solution. Now I have the inspiration I just need to find more time for my journal making obsession 😂

My first Junk Journal January! I'm excited to try this. I'm using your accordion method from July. I think. So fun! TFS 🤗

This will be my first junk journal January, and my first daily journaling in general. I’ve started many journals and never finished so I made this one short and hopefully I’ll finish my first journal lol

Fun to view this process after Ive seen the final JJJanuary results. It all worked out didn't it! without planning. You just selected your random pages for the book making and when you followed the prompts it worked out! I need to "go with the flow" more! I mean in life! not only journaling.

looking forward to joining in again, thanks Meg, will be videoing everything as usual!

You might consider creating a copy of your journals with commentary to sell as inspiration. I liked so many of your pages, quite inspiring. Full if ideas we may not have considered! I love the accordion style!

Ooh…I love that dark green paper next to the bubble wrap paper…and the TN size too! Looking forward to Junk Journal January! 💖✏️🎨

Love watching you make a journal 🍎

Have fun with your TN journal for Junk Journal January, Meg! I'm still deciding what I might like to use this time. In July I altered an old magazine to use. It was enjoyable, but I think I'd like to try something different this time.

For the sewing machine debacle it might help to make sure your machine is set up correctly, as a lot of people in the comments have already mentioned, so another particular thing you can look out for is if your needle installed the right way, it should have a little groove above the eye on one side, and that should be the side from which the thread is fed into the needle

This will be my very first junk journal January challenge. I’m looking forward to it.

I'm going to try a smaller journal this year. Mine is a 5" x 6" and is a regular journal I created with my coffee dyed paper I made. We'll see how I like it. I'm going to work on collages to gain more practice. 🤗

Going to give it a go! Thank you for the prompts. I enjoyed your video you were so free in how you put you pages together. Loved it. I have a problem not over thinking everything .

I already love your journal! And I always learn something; like using the brown paper as "tape" for the patchwork pages. Love it! I'm looking forward to watching you work in the larger journal-- I still do much better in the smaller sizes and will make my journal soon, I hope.

I love how you piece your pages together. Really looking forward to the challenge 😃🤩

I just love your style and aesthetic!!! Super pumped!

you are amazing, so glad I watched this.

Love this journal❣️

Hi Meg, can't wait for JJJ to commence and see all your wonderful pages. I think the accordion journal is a great type to use for this, as you say, you can see more than one page and meander across multiple flat pages.

If your sewing bunches up try adjusting the tension. Try looser first on test paper, if it looks like its getting better but still bunchy, keep adjusting the tension and vice versa if you’re finding it needs tightening. Experiment and try not to get frustrated. If none of that works it may need a shop visit. A few other things, change to a new needle, oil the machine, check for dust bunnies where the bobbin is housed. Make sure both the bobbin and the top thread are threaded correctly (not the needle, but all the places the top goes thru, there should be some arrows to make sure you dont miss a place the thread needs to wind thru same with the bobbin. also leave enough of a tail when starting your sewing. Sometimes short tails get caught back up in the machine.

You’ve inspired me to make my pages by blocking them together…. Kind of reminded me of a quilt. Looking very forward to the challenge

I have been watching your videos from last January's challenge, I looked for a final flip through but couldn't find one? Very inspiring videos xx

I’m so excited about the standard TN size. I use one for my everyday personal journal and there are not very many examples of them on YT. Thanks Meg I can’t wait to see how this progresses.

Looking forward to creating my journal for January! Yay!!!

I did make an accordion journal last year, I loved the small size but am going to be brave and go with a TN like you. looking forward to the start! X

This wil be fun, I just made my junk journal tn style. Now to start by making some preparations

If you are having an issue with everything bunching up when you are trying to sew on your machine, it sounds as though you may be having an issues with the "feed dogs". These are little metal ridges inside the two little slots located on either side of the hole where needle goes up and down and most machines you have a way that can lower or raise them (depending on your machine). They move when machine is engaged, and are designed to "feed" and move the fabric along as you sew, but there are certain techniques or applications you don't want or need that action, so they can be lowered. Check out your machines instruction manual (or online if you don't have one for your model) to see if they are up and engaged. If they are in the up position and you are still having that problem, they could be stuck or otherwise not working. (Sometimes they can get hung up with stray bits of tangled threads, fabric or debris on the underside and it can be tricky to get them set free) A YT search can REALLY help. Hope this helps! Thanks again for all the time, thought, and hard work for bringing us "Junk Journal January"!

What a fabulous idea. Being still new to the Junk Journal world, I would love to join this challenge. I believe this would be the perfect push/encouragement for me to learn and explore this new world of art even more. Signing up ☺♥

Brilliant

I like your journal construction and size. Last year I made the accordion journal. It's freeing to know that we can make any desired size. Looking forward to January!

So excited!! 🙏🏼

So lovely, Meg! 💚💚💚

Can’t wait to start watching you and making one for January !

Love the green cover and TN size for a change. ❤ Looking forward to following along .

Love your new journal and super excited to see you work in it next year!

I'm new to junk journals. It was lovely to watch you build yours.

💚💚💚💚 Love this Journal... Can't wait to make mine ☺️

I’m new to sewing too and still working out my machine. But I have realised that a good quality thread helps! My machine doesn’t like cheap stuff apparently 🤷‍♀️ 😊

LOVE IT!! I joined in last year and looking forward to this years JJJ

Nice. I am ready!!!!

Thank you for your clear and precise directions and descriptions ~. Wonderful!

I LOVE that you use book pages and all sorts of paper 😍 It makes it available for everyone 😍 Thank you so mutch for sharing 😍 love from arctic Norrway at -5 and a bit snow in the air🙌🎅🌻🌺🌼🌹🏵

I will do some prompts. I want to create a journal.

Looking forward to this, now I just need to figure out what size I want to do

I am going to do a junk journal for January put want to be able to write in it too

Question, when you say everything bunches up as you sew, is it the thread or the paper/fabric you are sewing? If it is just the thread, be careful where you place your glue before sewing (glue can be cleaned off the needle simply with a baby wipe or alcohol wipe of some sort) . Then start off with a straight stitch at about 1.5 for 4 stitches or so and then lengthen the stitch to 4.5 (longer stitch) or so right to the end of what you want to sew, then do another 4 or 5 stitches at 1.5 length again (shorter stitch). Try straight rows first and then squares etc. Always turn the paper under the sewing machine with the needle down in the paper. Hope this made sense.

What gardening books did you use

How can i follow the junk journal ? Im from Denmark

I love all your journals Meg. I have been asked so many times through my channel how I made the accordion journal and I direct them to you. I have a question. I love the choice of music you use in your channel. How are you able to add music like yours in your videos without getting a copyright? I've tried the free ones in KZfaq and I still get copyright. Please help me. 🙏 🥰😘 By the way, I always look forward to you junk journal July and January! Can't wait!! 🤗🤗

❤

You might have your bobbin in backwards. That's why it's bunching up.

Would you ever consider selling journals you make? 💜

How did you make the double page journal

Apparently I can't join is that because I'm in Australia

I’m confused about how to join

I so want to join., .how?