Photos?
Check.
Journaling?
Check.
Cardstock, patterned paper, thread?
Check, check, check.
Wait – thread?
I know you’re wondering. Is thread really on my main
checklist for cards and layouts? Yes. Absolutely yes. Okay, I’ll admit that I
don’t really check this stuff off from a list, but when I am planning a new
layout (or card or mini album or tag or whatever), thread is one of the first
decisions I make – right after papers.
Thread is critical for me. I get excited about thread.
Sometimes I stitch with my sewing machine, sometimes by hand. Often, I’ll do a
little of both and every once in a while, I’ll do a whole lot of both! I just
love it – without some type of stitching, I have trouble feeling like a project
really reflects “me.” And that’s what it’s all about, right? I want leave a
little bit of myself in everything I do.
In my world, sewing has different “levels.” On a very basic
level, machine stitching around the perimeter of a layout gives my page
boundaries. This stitching sets the tone of my layout with color and movement.
For example, if the stitching is neutral or just blending in with the papers,
it’s mostly just adding delightful texture. When I chose a contrasting color,
the stitching quickly becomes a significant page element.
In addition to color, stitch movement is a defining factor
on the layout. When I’m wanting a solid, grounded border, I’ll stitch straight
lines around the page. Sometimes, this is all that is necessary to “contain” my
page and it’s elements. More often, I’ll
stitch over that same “frame” at least three times, slightly straying from the
straight lines. For me, this sets a tone of imperfection and flexibility. I
really like the way this unpretentious “I didn’t try too hard” stitching feels.
It looks a little lazy, it’s comfortable and creative and fun. It’s really “me”
and I really like that.
The second level of stitching involves working with the page
elements, sewing around journaling blocks, photos, patterned paper strips,
ribbon, you name it. (Oh, and just FYI, there is an unwritten rule in my scrap
room: no sewing though heads or body parts if you stitch on a photo.) I usually
use the same color of thread throughout the page, unless my papers are very
neutral and the thread is a significant color element.
Sometimes you’ll want to add texture, color, and design – this is just FUN. Make a
pattern – pretty much anything goes here, and it is SO much easier than it
looks!
The third level of stitching (remember this is just my world
we’re talking about here) falls into the
sometimes-I-don’t-know-when-enough-is-enough category. This is when I add
gratuitous handstitched x’s or machine stitched zigzags “just because.” I love
adding stitched photo corners with overlapping lines, little stitches here and
there to make elements like tags or ribbon scraps to appear tacked down (in
reality they are adhered well before the stitching is added). The stitching I’m
referring to here usually includes my “finishing touches,” but can go on for a
very long time if I’m not careful!
Nine things to keep in mind as you dust off your machine and
grab your thread:
1. Imperfection = good
2. No sewing through heads.
3. Keep your stitches far enough apart that the paper
doesn’t tear.
4. For hand stitching, pierce holes first with a pushpin,
then sew through them.
5. Tape – don’t knot – loose threads on the back so your
page will lay flat - oh, but on the
FRONT of your layout, knots are accepted
and even encouraged!
6. Do not – I repeat, do not – machine stitch through Glue
Dots. Need I elaborate?
7. Practice. Practice. Practice.
8. Be creative. Do something you’ve never seen before.
9. Have fun!
