Autumn Inspired Journal - (Chain stitch question!!!)

[Pogo]

I made this journal for a personal swap and I was very pleased with it. I used a piece of marbleized paper from Thailand for the outside [then my end papers were a "Mango Birch" paper but I forgot to get a picture]. I decided to spruce up how the threading would look by also incorporating a thin yarn, called Matrix, with my waxed thread. This proved challenging, but I liked the end result:

What do you think?

But can someone give me a hint what I am missing with the chain stitch? I am overall pleased with my book but it looks like the signatures on either end are not "sitting right" for lack of better words. They push further out then the inner signatures:


And the top stitch looks inconsistent (as did the bottom):

Am I dropping a step or something?

Thanks for looking and any tips!!

[Imagine]

OMG POGO! This is awesome!!! (OK, I *may* be a bit biased because I'm a book freak and my favourite season is fall, but) WOW! I love the colours and the textures! How you put a little 3D greenery on top is fabulous!

Unfortunately, I can't answer your bookbinding questions...

*wisted* and I totally want one in my package!  Awesome awesome! (Seriously, I am *not* exaggerating!)

[antiruth]

love it love it love it

i can't see what you mean about the stitches (and couldnt help if i could!) i like the look of it though, just the way it is!
 
i also am a book freak! problem is i'd want to save a book like that for something 'special' and nothing would be special enough!

[murbeck]

haha, Ruth, I used to be the same way and wouldn't write in my fave journals, but now I just think of it in a more artsy/crafty aspect and think of all the neat things I can put in it, including sketches and quotes.

Pogo, this is gorgeous!  Had I seen it here earlier I would have so commented, even if it weren't yours!  I think it looks amazing.  The paper is laid on the outside flawlessly, the signatures look GREAT to me, and the stitching is so good, I love what you did with intertwining the yarn!
The only imperfection I see is that if you look really close the wholes aren't lined up perfectly, but it's so minute plus that's what makes it handmade and special.  I honestly think this is a huge accomplishment.  Bookbinding is not easy in the beginning, but it sure is fun!  This is way better than my first journal, which was lost on that major lying-from-the-start-flaker of mine.  Oh, and the matching bookmark is such a sweet touch!!!!! 

Bravo, Pogo! Bravo!

[Pogo]

Aww, I love my girls - thanks for the comments ladies.

Imagine - I will totally send you one.

AntiRuth - I'm sure you could find *something* special to document in such a book, lol - perhaps Lil Red?

Murbeck - umm, it's not the first book I've made. LOL. I definitely seem to be missing something with chain stitch though.

Thanks again ladies!!

[murbeck]

oh, well I can't say I'm surprised, it's just the first one of seen of yours... or is it?  So many galleries it's hard to keep track.  None-the-less, I think it's great 

[RagnazIdnar]

Your chain stitch (coptic stitch) is fine. The top and bottom will look that way.

[Pogo]

Your chain stitch (coptic stitch) is fine. The top and bottom will look that way.

Thank you for the feedback RagnazIdnar!!

[sajona]

lovely work Pogo - the paper on the outside is very covetable!

[murbeck]

I'm a little embarassed now that I made you a journal for our swap    This blows mine out of the water