Slow Stitched Books
Once upon a time there lived the most beautiful lady in the whole world, her name was Ellen. She was the kindest, gentlest, strongest and most honest person I have ever known.
Ellen was a textile artist - she lived in a tiny home, which was a work of art in its own - as was Ellen. One day Ellen became very poorly, the doctors tried hard to help her, but a short while later Ellen closed her eyes for the last time.
Ellen was a textile artist - she lived in a tiny home, which was a work of art in its own - as was Ellen. One day Ellen became very poorly, the doctors tried hard to help her, but a short while later Ellen closed her eyes for the last time.
|
|
|
|
Ellen had the most amazing life story to tell, this was reflected in her art work. When her children were young they all lived in South Africa, Ellen loved nothing more than encouraging people to come and sit and sew with her. This ethos was something she bought back with her when she eventually returned to England many years later. She loved people visiting her - and sewing with her.
|
Ellen's LegacyIn the last few days of her life
I promised Ellen I would keep her vision going, to encourage people to gather together to sit quietly and stitch slowly |
|
Ellen loved working with antique fabrics, the more tattered, torn and stained they were the better she liked them - if asked, she would say that her favourite colour palate was 'shades of white'.
One of the last things Ellen enjoyed making were these little fabric books, made from the many fragments she had in her basket - she would say she was 'stitching herself better'.
One of the last things Ellen enjoyed making were these little fabric books, made from the many fragments she had in her basket - she would say she was 'stitching herself better'.
This is what we are going to be making - click on the image below to see a slideshow of the contents of each book
|
lilac book - by Ellen
|
pink and blue book - by Ellen
|
pink book - by Paula
|
Start by collecting some fabrics and lace together, if your fabrics look a bit too white then try making a cup of black tea and dipping your fabric in it - this technique will soon make newer fabrics look gently aged. There are lots of old linen cloths and lacy doilies available at charity shops/thrift shops for very little money. Another way to get lace is to cut the flowery patterns out of net curtains. Alternatively you could use newer fabrics to make your book.
You will also need something to make your cover a little thicker, a scrap of old blanket would be perfect - but anything will do as you can cover it on both sides like I did on my pink book. If you would like to keep your book closed then you will need some ribbon or similar to tie it with - or a button.
You will also need something to make your cover a little thicker, a scrap of old blanket would be perfect - but anything will do as you can cover it on both sides like I did on my pink book. If you would like to keep your book closed then you will need some ribbon or similar to tie it with - or a button.
|
Now it is time for you to think about the size and shape to make your book
be guided by your scraps. These are the scraps I gathered together to make my Blue Book - not all will be used. I will select the pieces as I start cutting the pages and putting the book together. Click here for step by step instructions |
|
The books shown here are all under 4" on their longest edge - remember that you will be folding most of your fabric pages in half, so you might want to make them double the finished size. Not all of my pages are the same size - some smaller pieces have been joined together so I can use them.
There is a community on FaceBook where you can be inspired even further:
Slow Stitched Books - Ellen's Legacy
Slow Stitched Books - Ellen's Legacy