Kettle Stitch Handmade Reading Records

Although we have the highest literacy rates in South East Asia countries, Malaysian are not a reading nation. Many people prefer light reading materials like newspaper and magazines instead of books. According to literacy statistic, out of 85% Malaysian who read regularly, only 3% read books. And I was not in the 3% book readers untill the recent years. Thanks to my sister who shared with me a few good non-fictions books with me when she was living with me; and also some good books behind when she moved away. Having said that, I am still not proud to say that I read more than a few books a year.

As a designer; an artist and a crafter, I am naturally attracted to visual images more than to texts. Therefore, I hardly read book... I meant books without pictures and graphics. Since I started this blog, I have been struggling with my writing. I take long time to complete every write-up. But I was encouraged when I came upon this quote - A good  writer must first be a good reader. Hence, I started to read more, hoping to write better and set good example for my children. With this new resolution, I was inspired to handmade these reading records for myself, my children and someone dear, to record books we read.

Click here for an online tutorial on kettle stitch bookbinding. I hope to have my own tutorial later on how to add beads onto the stitches for a more interesting finishing.

My personal copy with magnectic button
Cover fabric from one of my favorite fabric designer - Amy Butler

Made as a surprise gift for a dear one
Cover fabric was tie dyed batik that I made after attending a seminar on Shibori.
The square embroidery of Dong people -Ethnic minority in
Zhaoxing, Guizhou Province China.

The fun piece for my 11-year-old daughter who loves polka dots. This is her copy.

This sweet floral piece for my 8-year-old daughter loves purple and trinket

Home Decor and Fashion with Susani Textiles

A Bed of Susani Pillows from The Loaded Trunk

What is Susani?  wikipedia explaination - 

Suzani is a type of embroidered and decorative tribal textile made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. Suzani is from the Persian سوزن Suzan which means needle. The art of making such textiles in Iran is called سوزنکاری Suzankāri (needlework).

Suzanis usually have a cotton (sometimes silk) fabric base, which is embroidered in silk or cotton thread. Chain, satin, and buttonhole stitches are the primary stitches used. There is also extensive use of couching, in which decorative thread laid on the fabric as a raised line is stitched in place with a second thread. Suzanis are often made in two or more pieces, that are then stitched together

Popular design motifs include sun and moon disks, flowers (especially tulips, carnations, and irises), leaves and vines, fruits (especially pomegranates), and occasional fish and birds. ^[1]

The oldest surviving suzanis are from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but it seems likely that they were in use long before that. In the early 15th century, Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, the Castilianambassador to the court of Timur (Tamerlane), left detailed descriptions of embroideries that were probably forerunners of the suzani. ^[2]

Suzanis were traditionally made by Central Asian brides as part of their dowry, and were presented to the groom on the wedding day. ^[3]

Susani Pillow Covers

Susani textiles enlighten a room with its bold colors, patterns and rich textures.  These exotic embroidered fabrics are made into pillows, cushions, upholstery and fashion. The high contrast color palette and distinct nomadic appealing are great as an accent to a room and space. By incorporating them into a modern or vintage style room, they create an eclectic style home decor.

Throw cushions can give a space a new look and style.

The Loaded Trunk

I made this Susani cushion

Susani Inspired Fabric Design

Many designers inspired by the Susani motifs had applied the idea into fabric designs. Machine washable fabric like cotton is good to use on items that needed frequent wash like table cloth or even garments. Check out on Fabric.com of an extensive Susani inspired fabric.

JPM Design

How lovely it is to use a Susani inspired printed fabric as bed covers and thrown it into a washing machine when it needs cleaning.

How about in upholstery fabric like this chair below?

Susani table cloth

Susani In Bedding

Throw  a piece of vintage Susani as bed cover to make a bold statement.

New York Social Diary

Triangle Honey Moon

While machine stitched Susani fabric might be less intricate and attractive, it is more affordable than the handmade pieces and provide an alternative options.

Uzbekistan Machine Stitched Susani

Susani for Display

They are stunning pieces of art on the wall.

Elle Decor

If you like it big, display a feature wall with Susani inspired wallpaper.

Inspired My Home

Susani In furniture Designs

Susanis lend themselves into upholstery wonderfully by Bokja.  The talented duo of Beirut-based designers, Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri had been creating of one-of-a-kind furniture upholstered with these dazzling explosive colors, patterns and textures. They captured many admirers for their love of these textiles. 

A friend of mine who is an ethnic textile enthusiast shared that she wouldn't have the heart to sit on these Susani upholstered chairs. But would you?

Susani In Fashion

For fashion, look at the gorgeous bag from Edenpotland  and boots by Anthropogie.

Skirt made with vintage Susanis from Ebay

For more reading on Susani, check on these references

http://www.marlamallett.com/suzanis.htm

http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200304/splendid.suzanis.htm

Susani and Velvet Patchwork Cushion Cover

Susani for wedding with symbols of fertility

I was so excited when a friend told me that she got me gift of two Tajiks' Susanis from Taskorgan, Xinjiang Province of China, a town which majority population made up of Tajiks people. According to the Tajik lady who sold the Susanis, the Susanis were brought in from neighboring Tajikistan.

Susanis are an embroidery technique practiced across Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. Susani literally means "needle" in Persian. They were and still are a major part of girls' dowry in those regions. Some mothers would even begun embroidery Susani during pregnancy. The girls would eventually join the embroidery work when she is 8 or so. The rectangular piece on the first picture obviously must be prepared for a wedding. It depicts symbols of fertility with motifs of wombs, ovaries and sperms; close-up Tulip which attributes to Anahita, the ancient Goddess of fertility.

Vagina & Sperms

Wombs and Ovaries

Close-up Tulip

The bigger piece of the two pieces Susanis that I have was just the right size to make into a cushion cover for the big cushion in my family area.

The heart shapes - new element?

I have been planning to make patchwork cushion with my velvet and upholstery fabric sample books. A patchwork with these fabric is just perfect for the other side of the cushion cover.

I have been longing for Susani after I came across Vogue Living Nov/Dec 2010 issue feature of the Bokja founder- Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri , two talented women based in Beirut, Lebanon. The duo had created stunning designed and eclectic in style furnitures by an elaborate assemblages of embroidered tribal textiles and tapestries found along the Silk Road.

www.bokjadesign.com

Bokja Design on http://www.designhome.ae

I have already placed my order more Susanis from my dear friend and I look forward to receive them next year. By combining Susanis with my other Southeast Asian tribal textiles, I am going to start a new project-assemblages different textiles for the upholstery of my ottoman. Wow, can't wait to start it soon!