
Hillsville Mist 100% Cotton
About our Materials
Fabric Knowledge:
Choosing Materials That Stand the Test of Time
When you choose an heirloom journal, you’re not just picking a pretty cover—you’re choosing a fabric that will live on bookshelves, coffee tables, and in the hands of your children and grandchildren.
This page is here to help you understand the fabrics I use, why I chose them, and how to care for them so your journal stays beautiful for years to come.
Textiles
Every fabric chosen for a Still Speaking™ Heirloom Journal has been selected with the utmost thought, care, and reverence for both quality and legacy. I work exclusively with high-end upholstery and designer textiles—fabrics known for their durability, richness, and timeless beauty. Each weave, pattern, and texture is hand-picked not only for its visual elegance but for how it will feel in your hands and how it will endure through generations.
These are not everyday materials. They are upholstery-grade, heirloom-quality textiles sourced from fine design houses and luxury mills—chosen intentionally to reflect the weight of your story and the beauty of your faith. My goal is simple: to craft journals that will look as exquisite decades from now as they do the day you receive them.
Every journal begins with prayer, design, and the careful pairing of these fabrics so that each finished piece tells a story of quality, devotion, and enduring grace.
Threads
Every stitch on a Still Speaking™ Heirloom Journal is chosen with the same care as the fabric itself. I use Madeira embroidery threads because they are known worldwide for their exceptional quality—beautiful sheen, clean stitch definition, and dependable strength that holds up over time. When a journal is meant to become a keepsake, the thread cannot be an afterthought. It has to be worthy of the legacy it’s helping to carry.
Madeira threads are designed to embroider smoothly and consistently, creating monograms and crests that look crisp, refined, and professionally finished. Their color depth is rich and timeless—whether you choose a soft neutral, a classic black, a luminous gold, or a bold signature shade. This is the kind of thread that doesn’t just “look pretty” on day one—it’s chosen to endure, so the embroidery remains as meaningful years from now as it is the moment you open your journal.
From the first letter to the final stitch, the goal is always the same: lasting beauty, lasting strength, and a finish that honors your story.
Monograms
Interlocking Monograms by Anamored
For our most intricate, classic and romantic monogram options, we are honored to feature the work of Anamored, the embroidery and graphic design studio behind some of the most beloved vintage- and antique-inspired fonts and monograms in the industry.
Anamored specializes in hand-drawn interlocking monogram designs created specifically for embroidery and fine lettering. Their collections blend old-world elegance with modern precision, resulting in designs that are both timeless and beautifully stitchable.
When you select an Anamored Interlocking Monogram on this site, you are choosing artwork created by Anamored and used here with appreciation and credit to the original artist. Your initials will be set in her exquisite style, bringing an extra layer of artistry and heirloom beauty to your Still Speaking journal.
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Sustainability Features
Redeemed Materials & Meaningful Making
At Still Speaking™ Heirloom Journal Co., sustainability is both environmental and spiritual.
Every journal is created slowly, intentionally, and prayerfully — designed to honor the Creator of Heaven and earth, and the generations who will one day hold it.
Made to Last — Not to Replace
Each journal is built as an heirloom, meant to be kept, cherished, and passed down — not discarded. This long-life design reduces waste and reflects a heart of stewardship: we care for what we create.
Handcrafted in Small Batches
Our journals are created one by one, or in limited collections.
Small-batch craftsmanship naturally reduces excess materials, energy use, and mass-production waste — and it ensures every piece receives careful attention and quiet prayer.
Repurposed & Reclaimed Textiles
Many of our fabrics are upholstery remnants and new textiles — materials that might otherwise go unused or be discarded. By giving them new purpose, we practice redeemed design: making something beautiful and lasting from what was left behind.
Natural & Archival Materials
We use cotton batting, quality threads, and archival-quality paper designed to last for generations. These materials are not only durable, but also more environmentally mindful, avoiding many short-lived synthetics and plastic-heavy coatings.
Thoughtful, Reusable Packaging
Each journal is presented as a keepsake with elements like velvet monogrammed bags, magnetic boxes, and ribbon wraps. Our packaging is designed to be reused, stored, and treasured, encouraging reverence rather than waste.
Crafted with Purpose, Not Pressure
For Still Speaking™, sustainability is also about pace. Every journal is made slowly, intentionally, and prayerfully. This rhythm is sustainable for the maker’s soul as much as it is kind to the earth.
1. Fibers: What the Fabric Is Made Of
Every fabric begins with a fiber. Different fibers have different strengths, textures, and ways they age over time.
Natural Fibers
Cotton
Cotton
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Soft, breathable, and familiar.
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Takes color beautifully and feels “comfortable” in the hand.
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When woven in heavier upholstery weights, cotton can be quite durable, especially if treated with care.
Linen
Linen
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Made from the flax plant; known for its strength and elegant, slightly textured look.
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One of the oldest, most time-tested fibers in the world.
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Excellent for heirloom pieces because it ages gracefully and develops a soft, lived-in character
Semi-Synthetic Fibers
Viscose/Rayon
Viscose / Rayon
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Made from plant cellulose (wood pulp or bamboo) that is processed into a silky, drapey fiber.
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Often blended with cotton, linen, or polyester to add softness, sheen, and rich color.
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On its own, viscose is more delicate; in blends, it adds beauty while the other fibers provide strength.
Synthetic Fibers
Polyester
Polyester
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Man-made fiber known for its strength and resistance to stretching, shrinking, and wrinkling.
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Commonly blended with natural fibers to improve durability and stain resistance.
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In upholstery-weight fabrics, polyester helps your journal stand up to everyday handling.
2. Weaves & Textures You’ll See Here
Beyond the fiber itself, how a fabric is woven affects its feel and longevity.
Linen & Linen-Look Weaves
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Smooth to lightly textured surface with visible weave.
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Classic, timeless, and refined—perfect for a clean, tailored look
Velvet
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Plush surface with a soft “pile” you can brush with your hand.
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Looks luxurious and rich, especially in deeper tones.
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Best displayed and handled with a little extra care: keep away from rough surfaces that may crush the pile.
Jacquard & Damask
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Intricate woven patterns (florals, scrolls, motifs) created in the loom, not printed on top.
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The design is part of the structure of the fabric, which makes it more long-lasting.
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Excellent choice for heirloom pieces because the pattern doesn’t “wash off”—it’s woven in.
Chenille / Textured Weaves
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Soft, dimensional surface with a cozy, touchable feel.
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Adds warmth and character to your journal while still being sturdy when made with upholstery yarns.
3. Why I Use Upholstery-Weight Fabrics
Your heirloom journal is meant to be handled, opened, passed around, and treasured—not just looked at from across the room.
For that reason, I intentionally select upholstery-weight fabrics (the type you’d see on fine furniture, not thin dress fabrics) because they:
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Are woven to endure regular use and friction.
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Hold their shape better over time.
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Offer more protection to the journal inside.
Paired with careful construction, reinforced corners, and quality materials, these fabrics are chosen with longevity in mind.
4. Choosing a Fabric That Fits Your Legacy
When you’re selecting a cover, here are a few things to consider:
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For maximum durability:
Look for linen, linen-blend, cotton-blend, or jacquard upholstery fabrics, often with a touch of polyester for strength. -
For a luxurious, special occasion feel:
Velvets and richly patterned jacquards are stunning and memorable—perfect when you want your heirloom to feel like a treasured keepsake. -
For a softer, romantic look:
Fabrics that include viscose or rayon can have beautiful drape and sheen; in blends, they’re balanced by sturdier fibers for better wear.
There’s no “wrong” choice—just the fabric that best fits the story you want this journal to tell.
5. Caring for Your Heirloom Fabric Cover
A little care goes a long way in keeping your journal beautiful:
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Handle with clean, dry hands whenever possible.
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Store out of direct, harsh sunlight to reduce fading over many years.
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Dust gently with a soft cloth or clean, dry brush.
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Avoid harsh cleaners or soaking; spot clean gently if needed, following care recommendations for the specific fabric type.
With mindful handling, the fabric on your journal is designed to age gracefully gathering memories, not damage.
6. If You’re Unsure, I’m Happy to Help
Fabric can feel overwhelming if you’re not used to working with it. If you’re torn between two options or wondering which fabric will best serve your family long-term, I’m glad to help you choose.
Each heirloom I create is meant to be held, read, and passed down, and the fabrics I use are selected with that purpose in mind: to stand the test of time as your life and words continue speaking to future generations