Tortagialla.com - the creative journal of Artist Linda Tieu. The most common type of sewn bookbinding that I often default to, falls into the category of longstitch binding.
It’s really a general categorization for many different methods of sewn binding. People have invented their own patterns and techniques and have probably called it something else as well. Suffice to say, it’s a general way to denote sewing your paper to the cover of your book. I’m sure you’ve noticed journals out there with exposed sewing in the binding in a variety of patterns and designs. They are all technically longstitch binding techniques, but in different patterns.
The materials for this project include leather, paper, thread, needle, an awl and cutting device of some sort. Regarding the thread, I’m using a natural linen thread in this example, but you can also use waxed thread sold specifically for bookbinding to prevent knotting up when sewing. Regarding my little awl, I use it to punch holes in the paper. This is what you see on the outside binding…
Ribbon flowers. DIY Spike Comb. We first fell in love with Jennifer Behr‘s dinosaur headbands after seeing them on the runway at Fendi. Then, we crushed hard on this Maison Michel metal spiked hair comb spotted on Elena Perminova in Paris. Perhaps we can blame our attraction on our stegosaurus obsession (yes, this is true). Or it could simply be because these spiked hair accessories are so badass and bananas (also true).
Either way, a DIY was definitely in order. You’ll need: Start by adding a small amount of liquid super glue to one end of the comb. Glue another spike to the other end of the comb. Continue glueing each spike, alternating from one side to another. Stick the spiked comb in a bed of teased and tousled hair! (top image via Style.com; rest of images by HonestlyWTF) Six paper flowers. It got into my head that I needed to make some paper flowers.
I don’t know why. But I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal because the Internet is a veritable smörgåsbord of craft tutorials, and all I had to do was fire up Lappy 5000 and pick one out. About 300,000 search results later, I was no longer any more confident in my ability to make a paper flower than I was in my cat’s ability to retrieve his stupid mouse instead of staring at my hand after I throw it. There were just too many choices and although I could compare the photos, they didn’t reflect (1) how good each tutorial was, (2) how closely my flower would resemble the picture, or (3) which flowers would look nice together. It was terribly overwhelming. Then again, I thought, if anyone is supposed to try every single one, it might as well be me.
After some consideration, I decided that 300,000 might be a few too many to take on, so I narrowed it down to the six most promising and got to work. That’s all there is to it. How to Make a Simple Bow. These little bows are so simple and fun-- I make them all the time.
They are so versatile-- you can wear them as shoe clips, hair clips, broaches, whatever you want! I've also attached them to headbands. (Photo from last year when I was obsessively watching Mad Men and attempting the bee hive hairdo. Looks a bit like Marge Simpson if you ask me. ;) ) How to Make Simple Bows: Step 1: First you need to cut a rectangle of fabric with a little sliver of fabric to set off to the side. Step 2: Next you need to fold the fabric onto itself, lengthwise. Step 3: Now fold the fabric in the other way to to middle. Step 4: Stitch those bad boys together. Step 5: With a curling iron, straightener, or iron, press the sides of the little sliver of fabric together. The Southern Institute: Mini Memo Book Covers from Larissa at mmmcrafts. Welcome to The Southern Institute, I'm so glad you're here!
Make sure you stay in the know... subscribe to our newsletter! Today is going to be fun! We have another guest with us who is sharing a great project! Larissa from mmmcrafts is visiting. Have you met Larissa yet? Gotta get some of those shoes! Well, hello Southern Institutioners! So a bit about me. Make a Mini Memo Book Cover I love these inexpensive little 3.25 x 4.5 inch composition books. ), usually for less than a dollar US each. So here’s how to pretty them up with a nice re-usable cover. You’ll need: this templateprinterletter sized card stockscrap of decorative papercraft kniferuler glue (I used Fabri-Tac)optional bradoptional embroidery floss 1) First step is to print the template at actual size on the back of the card stock. 2) Use the provided spine pattern to trace and cut out a spine from a scrap of decorative paper. Then you just trim off the excess with your knife, and the spine is done: Vintage & Thrift Clothing, Blog, Stores & Toronto Maps- My Vintage Secret.
B is for Bows.