More pages done!

My 'allegro/dolce' art journal has been a long term project, and I have so enjoyed putting it together. I'm now almost finished and I will really miss working in it when it's done.

This doesn't mean it's been all plain sailing, however! I had difficulties with the binding, which ended up being too loose, so I had to make some extra signatures (sets of pages) to insert into the journal. It is still not as firm as I would like, but I LOVE how it looks.

All the signatures are handstitched with waxed linen thread using a pamphlet stitch, and I wove ecoprinted canvas tabs through the outside of all of them and attached them to the inside of the covers.

I deliberately made the pages in lots of different sizes and materials, because I really like to have uneven edges. I think this adds so much interest and texture to the whole design.

Some of these pages are newly done, but others have been added to since I first did them. I love combining different elements including varying the stitches, types of paper, layouts and found items.

There is also a lot of symbolism, as I explain in this week's video. For example, in this page I wanted to highlight the fact that many workers in the fast fashion industry do not have a voice. I used a bird to symbolise this.

Taking pride in our work can only happen if we are given the time to do it well, under circumstances that are supportive rather then stressful. Otherwise it is just a menial job, and the rewards are few, with very little sense of achievement and not enough pay.

A very old and tattered fashion journal from the late 1800's is providing me with lots of interesting collage details. Here is an example of a design for a petticoat by the author and designer Madam Weigel. She certainly took pride in her work, as did the women who made her designs for themselves and their families.

I am very glad that our culture is being made more aware of the human and environmental cost of the fashion industry. I hope this art journal also does its bit to raise awareness!