Tying Up Loose Ends

Two Jeannes work on Paula's project

Study Group welcomed two new members at its July 13 meeting. They will all be great additions to our active and always eager-to-learn group. Cooperation with one another is one of Study Group's strong suits, and our project this month was a good example of that spirit.

Presentation of original leather bound book to Pope John Paul II

In 2005, Study Group member Paul Kirk was asked to do a leather binding for a book to be presented to Pope John Paul II, a book documenting the exhibit "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People." With that project completed, a busy professional life intervened and before 2 p.m. Saturday, Paula still had a large box of unsewn copies of the book. "Many hands make light work," the old adage says, and in 3 hours it was proven true. Participants completed stitching 100 additional copies of the book in a simple softcover binding, copies which will be available to museum visitors as the exhibit begins its European tour. After traveling throughout the U.S. for the past 8 years, "A Blessing to One Another" is currently showing in Warsaw, Poland.

Trish works with jute and learns a new stitching pattern to join two signatures

What first appeared to be a simple structure became more challenging as we learned a new stitching pattern and used a new material: jute twine. The completed books looked very professional, but our laughing consensus was that jute twine would not replace the more familiar waxed linen thread in most of our tool kits. As a thank you for helping Paula complete this long delayed project, everyone in attendance received a copy of the book.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and to Paula for involving Study Group in an unusual and interesting project.

Your blogger thanks Janice for the story and photos.