Kettle Stitch vs Coptic Stitch Binding

I received quite lots of enquires asking me the different between Kettle and Coptic Stitch Binding. Many participants wanted to learn the best stitch, but for me both have special character of its own. It was like comparing 2 different skill.

Here I would like to share some infos and pictures with all of you. I hope you will find some fact useful as your guide:


KETTLE STITCH BINDING

Kettle Stitch Binding

• Kettle stitch's roots lie in Medieval times.
• According to Dictionary.com, the kettle stitch is "(in hand sewing) a knot tied in the thread that links one section to the next." Kettle stitching looks like a series of knots joined together in a row.
• It required section/signature means a combination 3-5 sheets of paper being fold in order to create one section.
• The name itself  are referring to the stitch that links one section/signature to the next (head & tail) and start at beginning of 3rd signature, continuously till the end. The term may be adaption of "catch-up stitch," or "Kettel stitch" (the stitch that forms a little chain).
• The pattern obviously different compare than Coptic Stitch and it needs cotton tape, satin ribbon or leather strap to clamped all the section together. (Please refer to pictures).
• It start from outside to begin with even number hole.
• You could let the stitch to be straight or creating the butterfly pattern by knot a few number of signature together.
• Kettle Stitch can be laying flat without risk of damaging the spine; following the opening of a book past flat 180 degree.

COPTIC STITCH BINDING

Coptic Stitch Binding

• Developed by early Christians in Egypt, the Copts, and used from as early as the 2nd century AD to the 11th. 
• The number of hole can be odd or even number and it starts from inside.
• Thread or cotton cord are used and will pass each hole twice, the chain pattern looks more obvious if you use thicker thread.
• Coptic binding are especially useful for binding many sections/ signature together. 
• The exposed spine and thread that looks like a chain is the most essential trademark of coptic binding.
• Length of time used is 3 times longer compare to Kettle stitch.
• Coptic Stitch can be laying flat without risk of damaging the spine; following the opening of a book past flat 180 degree.

Have a great weekends:)

Next week going to be last week of rest and to be treated like a princess...so better enjoy it while I can. I am kind of pretty occupied with meeting, workshop and teaching for the next following week, but I learn to take it easy this time.

I had a never ending projects one to another before, but it was stated that I must take a break because of my circumstances. God knows how I am overly worried when I am laying down dealing with pain, but somehow schedules and programs fall in place accordingly.

I understand now world still revolves with or without me. Of course it will not run as smooth without a support from family, friend and people around me. For this I feel so grateful having a shoulder to cry on:) You know whoever you are... I am so blessed and this sudden surgery was such a good pause for me to reflect:)

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I apologize there are no more seat available for my Book Binding Workshop at the Lollipop House this coming 14 April.

I had planned ahead for my next workshop.
2 dates going to be:

• WORKSHOP 17: Small book binding workshop at Pandan Jaya for a small group // Tuesday 24 April. This weekday workshop just for a small group only.

• WORKSHOP 18: May Workshop going to be at Monsterkraft (beading.my) // Saturday 19 May

Book your seat now, if you interested to join any of both date above. Email your detail to littlesyam@gmail.com:

Name:
Name on certificate:
Slot:
Address:
Telephone/Mobile:
Email:
Website: (if any)

(Slot consider booked only upon payment of refundable RM50 deposit).
Maybank account Samsiah Binti Jendol /ac no: 164052355030

Have a great weekends folk:) //syam

10 books - DONE

These are 10 books I made to be sent and available at the Lollipop House after 14 April.

That was where my Workshop 16 going to be held too. 

The Lollipop House does not sell only clothes but also many other craft products designed by Chris the owner and other products from local crafters too. Check her lovely place located at Kota Damansara.

Japanese cotton, with gold detail

Fabric made from Belgium, found this in Kamdar 10 years back

Can't remember where I bought this but very retro look with random geometric pattern,
in on glance looks like Bahaus influence

The floral pattern was embossed, love this one especially

Fabric bought from Thailand last year, harden like a canvas type

I think this from Kamdar

try to master draw on stone, not so good:P

Clay cat made by Nicholas, crafter friend, I think he offer workshop too.
Check him at: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1247648638

Quote of the Day

In this life we get only those things for which we hunt, for which we strive, and for which we are willing to sacrifice ~ George Matthew Adams

Hello there:)

I received my copy of cut out magazine recently. Flipped through the pages full of graphic I read this article on "A-Z of Who's Who in Today's Visual Arts". My eyes stopped at alphabet L, mmm still digesting till now when L goes to Little Syam. Not so sure if I deserve to be at the same level as those other big names...and I am just as little as my brand name "Little Syam".  Still and still digesting...

I am beginning to regain my strength... alhamdullillah:) Here are book covers ready for 10 books to be delivered to the Lollipop House, Kota Damansara by 14 April. I do take my time to finish each of this. Looking at the fabric I used here, these are the collection randomly from everywhere; some from Thailand, local fabric shops and some from my own collection more than 10 over years.

I'll share the look of book once its done...

The feedback for the workshop 16 are quite overwhelming. Me and Chris from the Lollipop House targeted 10 participants for each slot, that is the comfortable number space could accommodate. I think the early promotion does works. I will only confirm for whoever have paid deposit.

I am in the midst of arranging and secure the new venue for workshop 17. Had few invitations to held workshop at their venue. Going to pay a visit soon, to check how the place looks like... if things went well I will have venue for my next workshop already..which I will announce soon, most probably will be held by midst of May.

Till then:) //syam

Inspiring:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fyXmp-FiPJo#!

I Can't Make You Love Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8MJio3s2wFI#!

Turn down the lights, turn down the bed

Turn down these voices inside my head

Lay down with me, tell me no lies

Just hold me close, don't patronize - don't patronize me

Cause I can't make you love me if you don't

You can't make your heart feel something it won't

Here in the dark, in these final hours

I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power

But you won't, no you won't

'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bonnie+raitt/i+cant+make+you+love+me_20022611.html ]

I'll close my eyes, then I won't see

The love you don't feel when you're holding me

Morning will come and I'll do what's right

Just give me till then to give up this fight

And I will give up this fight

Cause I can't make you love me if you don't

You can't make your heart feel something it won't

Here in the dark, in these lonely hours

I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power

But you won't, no you won't

'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't

Things I can't live without...

Next Project

Despite pain and being uneasy, I had many new projects linger on my head. This arrived on my door today. I had carpenter to help me doing this before I admitted and very please with the outcome... 

So for the next 5 weeks, till I regain my strength I can only look, smile and imagine of what I am gonna do with this wooden crate... So stay tune folks:)

I am back

At this moment I am laying down on bed in very awkward position writing down this post. Had my laptop today, being hijacked by Lina, I owe her a lot for taking over my job while I am getting really sick... I know I can rest peacefully and she has done a wonderful job...TQ Lina darlinggggg.

I just discharged from hospital yesterday after admitted last Sunday due to cyst infection, surgery need to be done immediately on Monday. Waiting for my agreement, there are no way to avoid surgery, Dr Micheal slot me to be operated at 6.00pm.

It was such a scary moment when my cyst measured 4.7cm have been ruptured, twisted and infected on my right ovary. My tube need to be removed, as well as part of my right ovary and then to be reconstructed, beyond what I can imagine.

Everything seems still pretty clear to me when they've pushed my bed to operation theater which was really cold with surgeon getting ready with equipment, being induced, given oxygen, and knocked off and only conscious after 3 hours later. That  was such a scariest experience ever.

With MC for two months, I will slowdown and take thing easy. I am sure will bored to dead..I am not someone that stay put at one place. But my health is my top priority at this moment. I've cancelled lots of commitment for March - all bazaar -FUYOH, AFG & Wonder Women Day and only be back by midst April.

To found this from Paul make me grin from ear to ear today.

love//syam

Hello There:)

My Red S arrived today..yeaaayyyy... I wanted to have my big S alphabet for so long, until I found Miracle Watt through Rom, from outdated/Re Store...yeaaay, very efficient and fast. 

I've been a bit down last few days...My purse got stolen:) I don't really care about cash I had but the fact I have to block all my credit cards, renew all bank cards, unnecessary waiting time that I need to spend, time I barely had..the most important thing was my identity card and driving license, and Syamil new identity card I kept in my purse too.

Suddenly all the frustration just hit me at one go, all the other disappointment exploded with this incident as a peak. After numerous phone calls, things becomes clear again to me. I even blocked everything which includes my Facebook. The feeling of being disconnected suddenly became so overwhelming. 

I know it kind of unreasonable, but the incident kind of shake me a bit, looking through everything from the bird eyes seems that I need to do some spring cleaning in my life.

I should make my life less complicated and face book is one of them. To set my priority right is my major goal at this moment.

Yes I deleted few names, still deleting, will keep my personal face book more private...but you can still say hi, through my LittleSyam Facebook page. I had few responses, asking why I disappeared out of sudden...duhhhh, obviously I do not think straight at that moment, but not something that I regret,  the incident make me see certain things clearer:)

Feet, why do I need them if I have wings to fly? Frida Kahlo

I have not finish my story yet; besides asking myself why this incident happened, someone, one really kind human being returned my purse at the same night. All my bank cards, credit cards, driving license and identity card was all there:) Yup my cash all gone... I am so grateful, I am indeed such a lucky person.....:) //syam

Workshop at Raffles Day 02

I had a wonderful time at LittleSyam Book Binding Workshop 15 at Raffles International College. Another great session. Coming back home, flat and sleepy, I slept peacefully till late noon. Going to be such a busy Saturday trow...With fews running around to make... and meeting on Sunday...My weekends is not on Saturday or Sunday anymore. Such anadrenaline rush but a good one...

I hope you will have a great weekends too, take care:)//syam

Workshop at Raffles Day 01

Quote of the Day

I don't think about risks much. I just do what I want to do. If you gotta go, you gotta go ~ Lillian Carter

Busy day preparing myself for a workshop at Raffles Design Institute tomorrow and the next day. Lots to prepare, gonna have 36 students which include 3 lecturers this time around. Eita will assist me throughout the workshop. I am excited to be there for my second time. 

Good Bye Facebook for now:)

I am officially stop from face booking at this moment. The right time to set my priority right and concentrate on what importance. Not so sure if I could do that...but this is what I intend to do at this moment. But I can be contacted through my email...and all of you still can check me up here. Wish me every luck... //syam

If you have the opportunity to play this game of life you need to appreciate every moment. A lot of people don`t appreciate the moment until it's passed - Kanye West

Japan Black&White

Old photos from my Japan's trip last two years. I am fascinated by almost every single thing. 

Precious moment that couldn't easily forget.

Our Adventure Book - Paul & Sam

 Despite of having problem with sewing machine I managed to deliver this very special book of Paul & Sam "Our Adventure Book". I hope they will happy with the outcome.

Travel far far away to California, to be used as a wedding guest book and will be loaded up with pictures, love and happy stories.