The Process
The Stitch
I use a traditional saddle stitch for all my goods. Though it takes much longer, it is more reliable and durable than a lock stitch by a machine.
As this illustration shows, a machine stitch uses two threads that lock together when they meet but overall remain on their respective sides. If a stitch breaks, the two separate threads unravel. With a saddle stitch, the threads actually cross over with every stitch and create one solid linked procession. Here if a stitch breaks, the rest of the line holds the seam together.
The Marbling
This process requires its own full set-up and discipline, as well as a generous splash zone.
I prepare a tray of water thickened using a powdered seaweed called carrageenan, and custom mix thinned paints using the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to create a flexible palette. Using squeeze bottles and straw brushes I then drop paints color by color to fill the tray. Rather than blending together, the paints push each other around, condensing their pigments. With a full tray, I use a series of rakes and a stylus to move the paints in organized patterns. This style of marbling comes from Turkey and is known as Ebru.
Once I’m at a place where the design is successful, I lay a sheet of natural vegetable tanned leather down on the tray and take a print. That print then goes straight to my workbench to be used in a new piece.
