Sunday 22 January 2012

My little tatty book.

These are the first four pages of my Tree Ogham book. It is a little more colourful than appears in these photos and is taking on a character all it's own. It is nothing like the way I first imagined it. It was never going to be elegant - I can't do elegant - but it is quite a bit more rustic than I planned.


I am limited by the size of the pages, which started out as one very long strip cut to size for another project which didn't come to fruition. I need ten pairs of pages for this book so here again the size was determined for me.


The tattiness really took shape when I was looking for an edging cord or binding and found some sari yarn which I couched down. Originally I had planned to stitch a neat machined edging but with some of my more chunky embellishments there was not enough room for the foot of the machine to get all the way round, so I had to work by hand.

I have joined each pair of pages, wrong sides together, with buttonhole stitch. What a good job I like handstitching so much - it takes ages!


I have also discovered that I am becoming less nervous of drawing if I tear an irregular piece of paper to the size and shape I need, distress the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink, and then start to draw. I colour the sketches with water soluble pencils which blend beautifully and add a little water to bring out the colour. I always got better results from doodling on the back of an envelope than from trying to draw seriously and 'properly'.


The fabric I am working on is a firm calico which I painted while wet. I have ironed it many times to get rid of the creases, without success. They do however give an interesting visual texture and add to the general tattiness! I had plans for a rather grand cover, but need a tatty one now to be in keeping with the pages.


I am off now to finish work on the first chapter of module 2 of my online course, then I can post that on my other blog.






12 comments:

Maggi said...

Gorgeous pages Heather. The sari yarn works well as an edging. I have heard that if you put damp calico into the freezer and then iron it the creases will go. I have never tried it though.

Unknown said...

Love your book Heather, I was facinated by the Ogham alphabet while doing C&G

Unknown said...

oops fascinated, I really should look at what I am typing :)

The Bug said...

I love it! I probably like better tatty anyway :)

Julie said...

Elegant or rustic, it's all beautiful and I think the creased calico is just right.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lovely little book Heather. I have decided not to do any more machine embroidery work and to that end have put all my stuff (boxes of it) up for sale at our local embroiders' guild. I intend to concentrate on patchwork, which was my first love. I have yards of unused fabric so am quite looking forward to the challenge.
I also have a piece of needlepoint I have not touched for fifteen years, so that is something else to finish.

Ro Bruhn said...

This is gorgeous Heather. I love tastiness, it always makes things look pre loved.

WendyK said...

Heather, these are gorgeous, you do do some fabulous fabric books. Love the tree idea.

Carol Q said...

coming on beautifully Heather. tatty works for me. I think your sari edging works really well and like all the little extra embellishments you are adding.

sharon young said...

I love your book pages, they really made me smile, I like your rustic approach it's very nostalgic of times before machines.

Maureen said...

Looks good Heather, see even you are getting into rough edges!!

sweetypie said...

well done-- that is really really lovely, comiserations for the snots-- me too.