I’m still here stitching away. I finished another applique sample, got my applique book bound and started the binding on the bead book.

Here is the applique book bound with a stab and wrap binding. I really don’t like this method of binding. It was supposed to be easier than the other method that you’ll see at the bottom of this post. It might not have as much stitching but it just doesn’t look as nice, the book doesn’t open as well and it was difficult to get the tension right.

 Here you can see that the pages don’t open up all the way.

 The chain band stitch binding on the bead book allows the pages to lie flat. You can see that this binding is tighter. Perhaps because I didn’t get the tension right.

 But the book is together and finished. Another item off my list.

 This is the next applique sample. Turned edge applique done with a piece of fusible interfacing.

 Here is is completed. I was able to get this one to lie much flatter than the last technique I used with needleturn applique.

 Here you can see that the applique is much more flat against the background fabric.

 The only problem was I cut too close to the edge and get little frayed bits sticking out. Oh well. It’s finished!

Here I’ve started on the bead book binding. Three rows in the center are finished. I’m adding beads between each stitch. Since the pages are so “thick” with beads, I thought having a bead spacer would help in the binding to give more space. Plus it adds to the whole “over beaded” aspect of this book.

Today I didn’t get much done but did finish up one applique project, basted another and got the backs attached for the applique book.

 This is the basting I got done today. I basted the organza to the background with the cut out designs. I also made a small sample so I could try some different colors of thread.

 Here is the applique book backs. I used painted fabric stabilizer of a medium weight and then fused them on. I used a fusible that has a clear backing and I had a really hard time getting the backing off. I worked out a way to take it off easily. I used a piece of packing tape, stuck it to the clear backing and then pulled the backing off with the tape. It was impossible to find a free edge to pull off as you would do with a paper backing.

Here’s the front of the book pages. This book will be bound with the “stab and wrap” method. So now I’ve got two books ready to bind.

Today I worked on getting the bead book ready for binding, painted backings for the applique book, got another shadow applique almost ready to stitch and taught Paula how to put photos on to Flickr and then on to the forum. Paula and I also stopped by the college to check out the lab room for future felting classes.

 Here’s the bead book all ready for binding. I had planned on beading the binding all along but I ran out of the beads I was planning to use. So I went to buy more and guess what? They don’t have them anymore. I got some that I thought were the right color but they aren’t. But I am going to just have to use them as they are close enough.

 Here’s the shadow applique. I haven’t gotten the organza attached in any way at this point. I’ll have to do some basting. I took this photo at an angle to show the colors better. I found that the organza doesn’t show well from straight above as you’ll see in the following photos.

 Here is the piece without the organza.

 This was when I was sampling different pieces of organza. This is the same organza as in the top photo but you can see it just kind of disappeared.

 I tried another piece but it seemed to look too “spotty”.

 Then I turned the background around and liked it better from this angle.

I tried the other piece of organza again but still doesn’t work for me. Now I’ve got to decide what color thread to use. I did make a small sample piece to try out some different thread colors as this piece will have more stitching on the background. Did you do something fun today?

Today I worked on my applique projects. I finished one and almost completed the second one.

 This is the geometric stacked applique I showed you yesterday. It’s all stitched now. I can see that the placement was a bit off on some of the pieces but it will have to do.

This is the shadow applique. It’s made with black and white felt and then covered with a layer of organza and then stitched to hold the felt pieces in place. You can’t really see the stitching well but if you click on the photo you should be able to see it better. I used black thread so it would give the “shadow” effect. I just need to finish the edges and turn the organza under to finish the edge. I hope to get my bead book ready to bind tomorrow. I have to find something that will hold it fairly straight while I stitch. Hopefully, I’ll be showing you a finished bead book soon!

I started working on binding the bead book today. I completed all the edges and hopefully they are even enough.

 Here’s the back with the fused organza and the edge marked ready to stitch.

 Here are all the pages with their stitching.