Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Postcard #22: Sewing Notions

























Before calligraphy took over my life, sewing was my passion--designer and hand-tailored clothes, quilts, embroidery, upholstery. I remember getting up at 4 in the morning to sew a section on a pink ultra-suede skirt, or the pony-print for the seat on a French Provincial seat, before leaving for work. Those were the days. . .
   This is my latest postcard design.

I can find my nibs!!!

I spent part of the last two days organizing a few of my nibs, both pointed and broad-edged. In addition to these correlated cardboard "holders" in the base and lid of a small cigar box, I loaded boxes of vintage nibs into a larger cigar box. I should never need to purchase another nib in my lifetime!

Monday, April 8, 2019

Coptic-stitched Book with Vintage Covers

A couple weeks ago, the Inland Empire/Pomona Valley chapter of SfC sponsored a program at the Riverside Main Library, to make these coptic-stitched books, using the covers from discarded books. Amy Spencer did a wonderful job of teaching--I learned tips I don't remember ever hearing before. And, she had great tools I had never seen, such as a tearing bar (heavy weight to ease tearing of the paper to size for the pages).  While I was familiar with curved needles for other purposes, she had bent needles available, which made it so much easier to maneuver the needle between the signatures. Thanks, Amy!!!

While at the workshop, I decided to vary the design, so I waited until I got home to finish the book. My motto is Use what I have!, so I rummaged in the armoire in my art room and gathered muted colors of patterned scrapbook paper, chosen because they coordinated with the cover. I cut the paper to fit and wrapped each signature with a coordinating paper.  

Nothing from the old book will go to waste--the spine is tucked inside to serve as the bookmark and the pages of text will be fodder for collage.

Next, I want to make books with covers cut from Davey board and covered in a collage of favorite papers. So much fun!


My work can also be seen on instagram: @KADmiumDesigns