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!
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!
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!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the skirt link Liz - I do enjoy wearing it!
DeleteYou are a patient person Fiona. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteOh Jo - my patience was a little bit frazzled a times, but I settled and put my head down and we got through!
DeleteMy 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
DeleteC'est très beau ! So delicate, great work !
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurence - it was difficult, but it is lovely!
Deleteoh 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.
ReplyDeleteSo 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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