Artist Statement
This Coptic stitch and cross stitch journal is a technique that appeals to my interest in a variety of stitching methods. Both the covers and the spine of the book reflect my fascination with color, pattern, fiber, and texture. I have been an artist, handloom weaver and journal keeper for most of my life, and have delighted in binding my own journals since I started making artist books about twenty years ago. Whenever I can combine my interest in books with my love of fiber arts to create something of beauty, it brings me immense satisfaction.
Materials & Technique
The Coptic stitch is a familiar two-needle across the spine sewing, while the cross stitch is sewn along the spine simultaneously as the Coptic stitches progress, using these two simple stitches to form a complex-looking binding. I originally found instructions online, practiced the techniques and designed my own patterns. The covers of the book are not traditional covered book board, but rather collages on canvas boards that were lined, and drilled. The folios are Arches Text Wove paper and the guards are Bugra.