Today, I am sharing a recent project: a fabric book in progress. The content is the 4th-century poem by Lao Tze. It is far from finished, but I think I have developed the hand embroidery enough to give my ideas form for you to see where this fabric book is going. It was started quite a while ago, as a slow stitching project. Originally, I pieced it as wall panel but felt it was going nowhere. Before it became a UFO, I decided to chop it up to make fabric book pages.
The poem in the book reads:
We put thirty spokes together and call it a wheel;
But it is on the space where there is nothing that the utility of the wheel depends.
We turn clay to make a vessel;
But it is on the space where there is nothing that the utility of the vessel depends.We pierce doors and windows to make a house;
and it is on these spaces where there is nothing that the utility of the house depends.
Therefore, just as we take advantage of what is,
we should recognise the utility of what is not[— Lao Tze, 4th Century BC]
These are the pages I have created for my fabric book. They are very much still a work in progress but I am sure you can see where it is going.
The first page is made up of hand-dyed and printed fabric and commercial quilting fabric. I used some coconut beads which are large but quite light. Other smaller disk-like beads were sprinkled across the page.
Stitches used are French knots, Bullion Knots, Buttonhole wheels and Whipped Wheels. These were worked in a mix of hand-dyed silk thread and cotton perle #8 and #5 thread.
To print the text, I used freezer paper to back the fabric and then put it through my bubblejet printer. (For Aussies the freezer paper I used is the American sort that you can get from quilting suppliers) I then cut it up and used Mistyfuse (Not affiliated) to fuse it to the page.
Stitches used are French knots, Bullion Knots, Buttonhole wheels and Whipped Wheels.
The outline of the pot is worked in Chain stitch using cotton perle #5 thread. Other stitches used in this are French knots, Bullion Knots, Oyster stitches, Buttonhole wheels and Whipped Wheels.
The next page of my fabric-book-in-progress still needs some work. I think I need more spillage of beads and stitchery into the text area. At the moment, this page is on my design wall so I can think about it. So far I have used some ruched tubular knitting ribbon. Stitches used are Chain stitch, Stem stitch, French knots, Bullion Knots, Oyster stitches, Buttonhole wheels and Whipped Wheels. I used a mix of hand-dyed silk threads and cotton perle #8 and #5 thread.
This page will be the middle of the book and I have not embroidered it as yet. This, too, is still on my design wall – ready to be worked on.
I have used some ruched tubular knitting ribbon and couched down some sari ribbon. I used a mix of hand-dyed silk thread and cotton perle #8 and #5 thread to work French knots, Bullion Knots, Oyster stitches, Buttonhole wheels and Whipped Wheels
The pages are constructed of a patchwork of different fabrics. Most are hand-dyed. The last page still has more work as well. The doily is hand-dyed.
I hope you have enjoyed this peek at my latest work in progress.
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Beautiful work, as usual, which has the added interest of thinking about what the poem is saying.
This is BEAUTIFUL!
Very inspiring Sharon and such beautiful stitches and embellishments.
The poem is perfect for Embroidery. Loving the flow of it so far.
Wonderful Sharon, inspiring and beautiful to see.
This is so totally cool!
I love Lao Tse and also Persian poets – this is a wonderful way to illustrate words.
I would love to see more of the shape of the book – I don’t do FB so I hope you share more this way.
Thanks for all your amazing inspiration!
Thanks CarolinaMagpie I will share it more often since I have had such a positive response
That is so amazing what a lovely idea. You are truly inspiring.
Thanks Sue I am pleased you like it
Your fabric book is extraordinary – beautiful. I’ve never heard of a fabric book before so am curious about the actual size and other details. Might you provide instructions at some point, or can you refer me to more information about fabric books? Love your site!
Annette T I will possibly write more about construction etc if I have time. One tip if you are on facebook I run a group on fabric books people share tips ideas etc – here is the link (just be sure to answer the 3 questions to join as I block people who don’t – it’s an anti spam measure) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1968574283398317/
Holy cow this is really impressive!! Well done. Looking forward to updates. I am truly in awe.
Sharon this book is going to be another beautiful work of art by you. I too am making books instead of hangings. You eventually run out of wall space. Hugs
Freda I have no wall space either! So this is a solution!
Such beautiful eye candy! I can hardly wait.
Thanks Carolyn
Gorgeous!! I love it.
Amazing! Such a great idea!
Thanks Angela
Very interesting and totally original. Go for it, but,
you are already doing that. Will enjoy seeing the whole concept Sharon.
Thanks Ann
Sharon,
It’s so nice to see your work displayed this way. It has such a unique style. It’s a visual playground of stitches and beads that’s so inspiring. Love the idea of adding a line of this beautiful poem to each page. Hope you share it again when you’re done.
Thanks Patricia I will share when done
What a fabulous concept. I love the poem and your needlework.
Thanks Linda
Oh your work is so beautiful!
I made a book a while ago, each page was made out of one stitch. It’s a wonderful project, you inspired me, I am thinking about now to make a new book, since I have new stitches from TAST.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Patricia I am pleased you enjoyed seeing it
This project is pure inspiration to me. I need a similar project for learning and practicing the different stitches you are teaching us and to use up the plethora of beads sitting in many containers! What you have done so far is beautiful. Could you share the size of the pages you are doing? Thanks
Thanks Marybeth Each page is about & inches square and I will add a border on each.
This is really beautiful. Thanks for showing us. I love fabric books and made one as a sampler of stitches….but I much prefer your idea!
Beautiful! I love fabric books and made one as a sampler of stitches….but I much prefer your idea!
That is magnificent.. I love it. I have admired Lao Tze too.
How beautiful to see your book after a hard day at the work face, n waiting now for the computer to turn on, with a cup of tea..
Thank-you. I appreciate your sharing
I am pleased you enjoyed it Julia
Hi Sharon!
I have been an off-and-on follower of your work for about a decade now! Wow does the time go fast!
Anyway, thank you for sharing this. I feel this poem is trying to tell me something, but I’m not quite getting it; like it’s just out of reach.
I get the wheel and the jug, but it’s the house and the ending that are elusive. I feel it might be something important so I will keep thinking on it. Thank you!
Hi Karen – I think if you think about the difference between a house and a home the end is not so elusive- pleased you like it