stitching comforts the soul
warning – this post will be picture heavy!
another week – another hexie
the second scrap happy book is finished – done!
the idea of making the covers separately worked well
stitched together with a fancy Japanese stab binding
there were many layers to stitch through but I only stabbed my finger once
and managed not to bleed on the fabric!
tiny Dorset buttons and cord loops close the book
I taught workshops in making buttons at one time and these are my favorite
a little bit fiddle-y when so tiny
inside
signed and dated and the title page “Stripes and Squares”
the 2 tiny mother-of-pearl buttons secure the Dorset buttons on the front
turn the page and hearts are blooming
the white heart was woven on a pin loom with my handmade paper thread – kami-ito
the recycled sashiko coasters have found a new life
the vertical strips have given me a new idea to work on
and what is a book without words?
my love of kantha or running stitch comes from the texture and ripples it creates
tiny teddy in his jeans pocket about to set sail on a sea of stitches
teddy is made from a scrap of shibori dyed wool felt – every book needs a bear
one page of all silk scraps and a doily of my mother’s
a weaver needs some weaving
the woven fabric strips make a strong and long lasting patch on a wore piece of clothing
and on the inside back cover a pocket – folded in Japanese sukiya bukuro fashion
to hold “things”
a felt scrap stitched on the inside flap to act as a pin cushion – just because
THE END
take care everyone, stay home and wash your hands
British Columbia is flattening the curve by following these simple rules
just do it!
So beautiful and so comforting just looking at it. You should give online courses for your friends overseas!
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Blandina – I’m going to start a “how to” project and put it on the blog from start to finish but I only have a desktop computer so can’t do face time. You don’t need me – you do wonderful, creative stitching. I think what we need at this time is encouragement, support and the enthusiasm to get going. All of which is more difficult than ever. We need to share, the good, the bad and the difficult. Just get started – which is the hardest part – stitching is healing, it takes us to a different place. Believe there is no right or wrong, you are expressing your self, once you get going the work will take over and tell you where it wants to go. I always tell my weaving students (many of whom are nurses/medical people) “if it’s not life threatening what do you have to lose”.
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The book is a delight and must have something for all the senses. I too love the ‘walking barefoot in the stash’ notion. I am beginning to realise how much of the crafting I do is ‘sensible’ practical stuff. I really must make time to do something ‘just because’. Thank you for the inspiration. I wish I could join one off your clasdes but I think it would be a long haul to reach you.
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Sue – my house and studio is full of “sensible” stuff, nothing wrong with that and in fact the books are sensible , meant for teaching when hopefully that can happen again.
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I am just inspired by the whimsicallity of those books. Yes for teaching skills and techniques but in themselves just for pleasure.
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Sue – I hope I can pass that feeling on to the workshop participants – if/when it happens. 🙂
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I’m sure you will.
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Sue – thanks for the birthday wishes. 🙂 the story will be told at family gatherings for years to come.
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such a beautiful book. Thank you
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Dawn – thanks, it was fun to make and sustained me through the month. Now I have to find something for the next month.
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It is soothing just to look at it across the miles, and yet invigorating because it is so full of ideas! 🙂
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Gwen – very little planning goes into the pages, once I get started the ideas just take over. It keeps my overactive brain positive and healthy at this stressful time.
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I know what you mean, but I meant that you have definitely planted some idea seeds in my brain! And I love that balance of calm and positive energy I get from looking at your work! 🙂
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Gwen – thank you and it is always great to pass on ideas, that is the reason for sharing..
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So much wonderful stitching and so representative of you. I still have my Dorset button given as a gift so many years ago. I use a needle puller when stitching thru many layers. . It slides on my finger and uses a gripping mechanism and my thumb to pull the needle through. Very useful when making a hanten.
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Judi – I used needle nose pliers to pull the needle through and it worked – there were at least 12-15 layers. It was fun thinking of what to do on each page. Hopefully I will be able to teach the boro workshop next year, will be well prepared. I’m thinking of ordering some scrap cotton pieces from Japan and stitching a boro hanten.
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‘Walk barefoot in the stash’ really resonates for me! I *know* I’m missing a major dimension of this piece by not being able to touch it. I can see all the beautiful textures, I just wish I could feel them!
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Kate – yes, sometimes it is smell that you can’t pass on but the texture is definitely a major part of this piece. More than that it is the overall feel and weight of the small book in the hand that is very pleasing. Like a warm blanket or a beloved teddy, comforting.
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That’s exactly the impression I got, together with a nice chunky, nubbly feel.
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Kate – teddy makes a bump in the middle 🙂
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🙂
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It’s wonderful!
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Sue – thank you. It kept my mind of other things for almost a month, now the question is, what’s next?
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