Welcome to another bookmaking adventure with StencilGirl® and me, Kirsten Varga! This month I am featuring the five-slot longstitch book.There are numerous variations of longstitch patterns. A quick internet search will deliver a multitude of tutorials from many talented book artists.
I was inspired to try this book structure after perusing Cherryl Moote's book titled "Longstitch Books". So, grab your bookmaking supplies, a few snazzy stencils and let's dive in!
I started by preparing my book block and that means picking out paper for the signatures. The signatures of my book are made from single sheets of heavy weight mixed media paper. Usually signatures are comprised of 3-5 sheets of folded paper nested together but since the paper I chose is so thick I opted to have just one folded sheet be my book's signature. I made about twenty of them but in the end I only put fourteen into my book.
I colored my signatures with watered down acrylic ink after I folded them in half. I wanted to take away the black page and give my book a "weathered" look. The dried acrylic ink won't react to wet media so I will have the freedom to use many different mediums inside my book.
The cover is made from a large piece of chipboard that was part of some packaging. I painted and stenciled directly on the surface and then folded it in half and glued the unpainted sides together.
Instead of holes (to attach the signatures to the cover) this structure uses slits cut onto the spine. Then the signatures are sewed onto the cover with a running stitch. The result is a book with a decorative spine that allows the pages to open flat!
I created a tutorial video to show you all the details! Find it on the StencilGirl® YouTube channel HERE!
Happy Creating!
Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga
Stencils used:
Graphic Mod Mask 3: Bubble - L865
Stone and Mortar Version 2 - S375
Abstract Grid - L850
Other Supplies:
Mixed media paper (6"x9")
Chipboard (approx 13"x19")
Acrylic Inks
Acrylic Paints
Matte Gel Medium
Craft Knife
Ruler
Scissors
Awl
Needle and Linen Thread
Bone Folder
Piercing Cradle
Another wonderful book, Kirsten. You are so inspiring!
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