Sunday, March 13, 2016

Book stitching

I was recently asked if I could make a special "this is your life" kind of book for somebody - they didn't want it presented in a plastic folder or file; they wanted something personal and handmade.

I did a lot of the preparatory work - choosing paper, printing out the pages, doing a cover page in calligraphy, covering the boards for the covers and the like.

Then on Thursday I began to stitch.

It was a largish book with not really strong paper, so I decided that 6 pairs of stitching holes would work well.

There were lots of pages, so I thought I would need about 1.5m of thread for each pair.  So I threaded up twelve needles onto six rather long threads and began.

It was a lesson in patience and tenacity I must admit.  May I say that 12 needles and threads can get tangled ever so easily and things do move slowly as you use one needle at a time to stitch.  But we got  there.

We've only just begun...
(me in my handmade skirt from a year and a half ago)


I got a bit besotted by the threads dangling into my lap at times.


Edging closer, threads getting shorter.


Back next day, had to unpick a few sheets and begin again from about 3/4 of the way through.


Setting on the back cover.


Remnants of threads on the inside cover.


The back cover finished - I like the way it lined up on the tracing paper!


I met with the commissioning person today - all happy, now just waiting for a Perspex slip case and then it will be good to go. Phew.

Once it has been presented I will be bale to show you the front cover and calligraphy!

10 comments:

  1. Looking forward to the cover and calligraphy reveal, but what I really loved was the teasing bits of dyed cloth in the first few pix ... thanks for the link to the making of the skirt!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the skirt link Liz - I do enjoy wearing it!

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  2. You are a patient person Fiona. Looks great.

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    1. Oh Jo - my patience was a little bit frazzled a times, but I settled and put my head down and we got through!

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  3. My dodgy eyesight can't see the stitching in enough detail but I get the drift. Beautiful grey linen thread but a nightmare to sew by the looks of it. I get in a mess with one needle let alone 12!! That is amazing Fiona but what a great finished article. Looking forward to the reveal when you are able to do so without spoiling the surprise!

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    1. I think it's probably best if you can't actually see the stitching Lesley - some of it wavers a bit...There were definitely moments in it as I tried to untangle this one and that and popped the wrong needle into the hole, but I tried to stay calm and just unpick this bit, start again, and phew, got there in the end. Go well.

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  4. C'est très beau ! So delicate, great work !

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    1. Thanks Laurence - it was difficult, but it is lovely!

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  5. oh those tangled needles and thread, aren't they lovely...! I've had one with 16 needles before, you did well. I lost a few needles and had to re-thread. i guess this is the beauty of the craft... patience and concentration. looks like a wonderful book, the new owner will be thrilled.

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    1. So many strange things happened as I stitched this one Louise - things I had never done before, never seen before all appeared in the mix. I think it must be the multiplicity of needles that did me in! Patience is the key ingredient, followed closely by concentration and attention i agree. So glad it is done - will pop it in a slip case and hand it over! Go well.

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