fabulous denim & long stitch journals

Fused fabric sandwiches (up-cycled blue jeans, found fabric "batting" and "lining") created soft covers.  Note -- not all fabrics fuse equally.  Testing fabrics for "fusibility" reduces frustration.  Covers were trimmed to size and an reenforcing strip (interior spine) secured and stitching stations marked.  Note -- on dark fabrics, apply masking tape, mark, punch and remove before stitching.

A screw punch or awl created holes through fabric layers at the stitching stations.  Note -- students found the traditional Japanese screw punch made smaller holes, but the design of Martha's "popped/pooped out" fabric divots.

Q:  How much thread is needed to bind the journal?

A: Wrap around the spine -- once for each signature + one for good measure.

Each signature is stitched into place.

Right over left and under, left over right and under makes a knot neat, tidy and tight.  (Thanks Cheri:-))

COMPLETED JOURNALS:

Whether  left "blue jeans" plain or embellished, these journals are fabulous.