If you've ever tried to follow Keith Smith's directions for sewing structures, but found them confusing, you're in luck because Michele Kamprath is coming to our rescue. She will show us a variation of the long stitch journal described in Keith Smith's Non-Adhesive Binding Vol. 1. This is a great journal to use or to give as a gift. The journal size Michele will teach is 7 1/2" tall. If you prefer to make a shorter version either 5 1/2" or 6" tall, you will be able to adapt your journal sewing pattern to match the size difference during our workshop.
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| These two journals feature Michele's beautiful eco prints on the covers. |
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| These journals show different sizes and painted covers. |
For the cover:
Use a heavy weight paper like a 140 lb. watercolor paper if possible. It needs to be a paper that is sturdy but still able to fold. Decorated or colored paper will be best. Maybe you have an old painting lying around or want to get out your brushes and play? The cover should be 7 1/2" tall x 13 1/2" wide (grain short if possible). This will allow for a pocket turn-in on the cover. If you do not want a pocket turn-in, your paper would be 11 1/4" wide.
For the signatures:
We will be sewing eight signatures into our cover. Using text weight paper, you will need about 48 pieces (six per signature) that would fit into a 3/4" spine area. If your paper is heavier, you will need less than 48 sheets. Signature paper size: 7 1/2" tall x 10 1/4" wide grain short if possible.
Note: Please cut cover and signatures ahead of the workshop time. Please weight your signatures overnight if possible so they will fit neatly into your spine area.
Tools Needed:
- Pencil and eraser
- Ruler
- Piercing cradle or phonebook
- Awl
- Waxed linen or embroidery thread to match cover
- Beeswax if needed for unwaxed thread
- Needle (wide-eyed like a tapestry needle)
- Bone folder
- X-acto or other cutter
- A piece of paper for your sewing jig: 7 1/2" tall x 3" wide
- optional tools: small needle-nosed pliers and tweezers
