JULY WORKSHOP REVIEW

Once again we had a very successful NORBAG workshop via Zoom to learn a variation of a long stitch binding. Michele Kamprath led us through the steps to create a beautiful book that is very suitable for journaling. She made sure to remind us to actually use our blank journals and not just admire them on a shelf. The size and stitching pattern for this book is easily adaptable, but most of us made books that are 7.5” tall by 5” wide with eight signatures and a ¾” spine. When opened, the book lies flat making it very suitable for sketching or journaling. Thank you Michele for a great workshop.

Here are some examples of the books we made. 

Allegra Burke

Cheri Aldrich

Cheri fixed a folding error by stitching over it,
 thus giving it an added decorative feature.  

Margaret Beech
By making a "bow tie" in the center section
you can adjust the tension as well as adding interest.

Bosha Struve

Mary Conley

Bonnie Julien

LONG STITCH VARIATION JOURNAL

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.

These two journals feature Michele's
 beautiful eco prints on the covers.

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

When:   Saturday, July 9 at 10 a.m. PDT

Where:  On your computer, tablet or smartphone via Zoom

RSVP:    Dolores Guffey by July 4 to receive the password

Workshop questions:  Michele Kamprath

Zoom questions:   Bobbie Hayes

Contact information is in your directory or the newsletter

July's Workshop

We had a great time at our last workshop learning the secrets of Long Stitch Binding. 

Carefully listening to our expert and patient instructor.

We got to admire lots of nice waxed linen. We like waxed linen.

Stitching happily away.

Some brought some interesting covers.

Another example with a decorative cover.

And another with a decorative inside cover.

Feeling a bit wild, perhaps?

Another green theme.

Discussing the finer points of Long Stitch technique.

Ta-da! A finished book.

Long Stitch Journal

Spine Detail of Long Stitch Journal

with Michele Kamprath

This month we will make a long stitch journal. There are many ways to do a

long stitch binding. We will explore a version that is simple but nice, which

includes both stitching and beads on the spine. 

Note:
1. Be sure that your needle will go through the beads that you bring. 

2. It is suggested that you fold your signatures ahead of time and weight them

overnight. There will be six signatures with five pages each.

What to bring:
• (1) piece 7" x 10" medium to heavy weight cardstock for the cover
• (1) piece 6-1/2" x 9-1/2" light-weight liner paper
• (30) 6" x 8" pieces of text weight paper for the pages
• (6) 1/4" beads to use with thread on book spine
• Basic kit
• Piercing cradle
• #2 crewel needle (large eye)
• Screw punch/awl

What will be provided:
• An assortment of beads
• Hole punching templates
• Spine paper
• Waxed linen thread
• Extra piercing cradles

When?
Saturday, July 14
12 noon
Where?
Our usual location:
BSS 166 at HSU, Arcata
RSVP? By Monday, July 9
Michele Kamprath (consult membership chart for email)
Cost? $1.00
Questions?