Book-type structures and stitched edges
I decided to combine chapters 9 and 10 so that I could use the covers of my book structures to try out some stitched edges.
To start I created a batch of papers to use for covers.
Images 10.1 and 10.2
In a previous chapter I had used some old dressmaking patterns for papermaking and liked the texture and so decided to use some again for the inner pages of the books. A single sheet was too thin and so I used some CMC paste to stick two sheets together to make stiffer sheets. This produced a beautifully textured paper which is very strong and yet has a crisp, quite brittle appearance.
Image 10.3 – pasted sheets of dressmaking pattern paper drying
For my first book I created three pamphlets with covers made from cartridge paper and tissue paper for the inner pages. I decided to hold the pamphlets together by making a cord and using it to hold the pages of each pamphlet in place first, and the knotting the three together as shown in image 10.5
Image 10.4
Image 10.5
I then decided to decorate the cover by sticking on a piece of my decorated paper and machine stitching a double layer of frayed sari silk around the edge. I then added buttonhole stitch using a linen thread, see images 10.6 and 10.7. It was quite hard to hand stitch through the double layer of card and fabrics on the cover so I pierced the cover first using a thick needle and then stitched through the holes.
Image 10.6
Image 10.7
For my next book I decided to solely use the sewing pattern papers that I had prepared. To make them stiff enough to use for the cover I pasted two sheets together (i.e. 4 layers of paper) making quite a stiff card. I used the edge of a steel ruler to tear them into rectangles so that they had slightly rough edges as I thought this would be more attractive than cut edges (image 10.8)
Image 10.8
I thought it would be fun to continue the sewing theme in this book and so used buttons to hold the pages together. I pierced three holes in the pages and stitched through, fastening the stitching through buttons on the front and back covers.
Image 10.9
I used a machine embroidery stitch to create a white border and then added sections of metal zip along the upper and lower edge to finish off the ‘sewing’ inspired edges of the book.
Image 10.10
For my next book I decided to combine the dressmaking paper with some of my new decorated papers. I used my ruler again to tear some rectangular pieces which I then folded in half to make squares. I placed a piece of thread, yarn or ribbon into the fold of each page and then pasted them together, trapping the thread (image 10.11) and left them to dry.
Image 10.11
I then placed two pages together and knotted the threads at the top and bottom. I repeated this to add all of the pages in.
Image 10.12
Image 10.13
I decorated the edge of the cover by stitching some threads in place in similar colours to the cover (image 10.14).
Image 10.14
For my next book I decided to try a structure that I had seen in a book (‘Making Handmade Books’ by Alisa Golden) called a Flag Book. I wanted the book to have a theme and decided it would be a map book. I have a large collection of old maps and decided to use one for which had a linen backing as it would give extra strength. As a starting point I created the basic cover shape from some card as shown in image 10.15.
Image 10.15
I then covered the whole structure with sections of map. To create the flag section I photocopied a section and pasted it to the back of the original map i.e. creating a double sided map. From this I cut the flag shapes. I used a hot glue gun to stick these to the folds in the ‘book’ cover as shown in image 10.16.
Image 10.16
This created a really interesting book which changes as the book is opened at different angles and stretched or compressed.
Image 10.17
Image 10.18 – the cover
This sort of book would work beautifully as a way of displaying quotes, thoughts or even little sketches on the flags.
For my next book I decided to try a book made from one sheet of folded paper (image 10.19). This was also from ‘Making Handmade Books’ by Alisa Golden. I started by making five incisions in the sheet and then following a folding sequence
Image 10.19
Image 10.20
Image 10.21
Once the paper was folded into the book shape shown in 10.21 I used some PVA glue to stick the folds together so that it could not unfold. I then decided to decorate the edges with some loops of linen thread as shown in image 10.22 which I felt contrasted well with the rigid edges of the book.
Image 10.22
Image 10.23
My next book was also folded, this time from a long strip of paper.
Image 10.24
On the cover I used the sewing machine to stitch a zig-zag and then added some metal seed beads in places.
Image 10.25
I decided to create a book with a wallet type cover next. First I created a basic book, bound together with thread as shown in image 10.26.
Image 10.26
I then made a cover which wrapped around the book, and used PVA glue to stick it in place. I stitched on a black hook and eye to act as a fastener.
Image 10.27
Image 10.28
I gave the book a very simple edge of white linen stitches.
Image 10.29
My final book was a combination of folding and pamphlets. I created a concertina and added pages into the folds as shown in image 10.30. The pages were stitched in place through the spine of each fold.
Image 10.30
I decorated the cover with a pre-set machine embroidery stitch and then added glass beads on top.
Image 10.31
Image 10.32
I really enjoyed these chapters and could have continued making more and more books, but felt that I had got a taste of the different types of structures that I might want to use for my final assessed sample.
Image 10.33 – my collection of book-like structures
janechippstitch 