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JamesDarrowBookbinding Tutorial by-nc-nd

Published: 2012-04-11 22:56:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 707853; Favourites: 17672; Downloads: 9304
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Download for a larger view! - Journal with books and additional info - Click here for a video I uploaded on how to sew your book!

Eden Workshops - A Bookbinders Resource. Here you will find free tutorials, learn at home DVD's, equipment and materials.

Please read everything before asking questions. I understand this can be confusing, but I may have already answered your question.

This took me so long to make! You're welcome

Materials : (with links to purchase / more info)

• Paper : The paper is the most important part of the book, you'll want something that is durable and practical to the purpose of your book. I'm using Strathmore 18 in. x 24 in. 80 lb drawing paper. Strathmore website
• Paper (endpaper) : I'm using scrapbook paper, a thicker paper with interesting designs. Endpaper on Wikipedia

• Glue stick : Anything will do. I prefer using ones that are purple and dry clear. Elmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks
• Spray adhesive : Again, as long as it works anything will do. I had some Duro All-Purpose Spray Adhesive around when I was making this. Be very very very careful when using this! Read the instructions on the can. When I was using the spray adhesive I would prepare the paper inside and the go outside to spray it.

• Thread : When making your book, you'll want to use a thread that is durable and easy to work with. There is a thread specifically for bookbinding, but it can be a bit expensive. An alternative to that would be to use dental floss (I've never used this method before so I can't say how well it'll work). You can also use beeswax coated thread, again, it can be expensive to purchase. I just used a generic thread doubled over to be stronger, this has worked fairly well for me. Embroidery thread works great too! (thanks everyone who mentioned this)
Coats & Clark Ecru Upholstery Thread was recommended, it might be worth a try considering the price.
• Needle

• Ruler
• Scissors (fabric scissors optional but could be useful)
• Pencil
• (optional) Cutting Board / Paper Cutter
• Canvas
• Binder clips

• Fabric : For the cover, something you wouldn't mind looking at! I recommend buying some scrap or discount fabric when you first start and later buy something a bit nicer.
• Ribbon : You can use either a strip of fabric or some ribbon if you choose to add a bookmark. Example of what I would use

• Heavy weight : Some heavy books will do, in my case I have an old projector.

• Awl : Something sharp and pointy. I'm using a tool from Bead Buddy 4 Piece Reamer set. The red and yellow ones work great

• Chipboard : You can also use a thin wood or foam. I wouldn't recommend using anything else as they might not be as durable or easy to work with.

• Anything else you want to decorate your book with.


Book Terms :

Book Block : All the sewn together sheets of paper that make up the pages in the book.
End Paper / End Sheets : The first and last paper of the book. They connect the cover of the book to the book block.
Signature : groups of folded paper. I take 4 folded pieces of paper and group them together. When you sew you are sewing the signatures together.



Diagram of a book



You may use this tutorial in part or whole to teach others, please don't remove my name or URL. Also, it would be great if you send me links to books you create using this. I want to see what everyone is capable of! ♥

To sew your book without having to fold it, view this tutorial
Related content
Comments: 2107

JamesDarrow In reply to ??? [2012-07-24 06:54:52 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad to hear that, thank you.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LoquaciousQuidnunc In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-24 15:18:48 +0000 UTC]

Now, any comments or hints on creating really large books, and really small ones? I'm guessing it's the same, but why not ask the Pro.

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JamesDarrow In reply to LoquaciousQuidnunc [2012-07-24 19:53:43 +0000 UTC]

You're too kind!
I would recommend using a thinner paper for a small book, also not using fabric or anything that will make the book look bulky if you make a small one. As for a larger one, I haven't attempted anything much bigger then this so I don't really have any tips.
Here's a small book process , Example of how fabric and thick paper makes the book look bulky , leather works . [link]

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Silver-Rainbow-Kitty In reply to ??? [2012-07-23 18:18:47 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much for making this tutorial! ^^

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JamesDarrow In reply to Silver-Rainbow-Kitty [2012-07-24 06:54:33 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure!

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CakeTheSnake In reply to ??? [2012-07-22 22:42:05 +0000 UTC]

Useful, could never figure out how to do that!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to CakeTheSnake [2012-07-24 06:54:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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CakeTheSnake In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-24 20:15:20 +0000 UTC]

Welocome

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

always-forget-113 In reply to ??? [2012-07-22 08:21:34 +0000 UTC]

wow! ive always wanted to make my own book, this is amazing, thank you for making an awesome tutorial

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to always-forget-113 [2012-07-22 15:06:35 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you find it useful!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

RamHorns In reply to ??? [2012-07-21 23:38:09 +0000 UTC]

This is such a brilliant tutorial, I love making crafts though I'm not that great at it - and I also love drawing in books as presents, so being able to make my own book would make the present a hundred times more personal I think! Thank you for sharing your tips <3

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to RamHorns [2012-07-22 15:06:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Handmade goods do add a nice personal touch, even if the quality is less then perfect.

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FireYuuki In reply to ??? [2012-07-21 20:15:42 +0000 UTC]

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to FireYuuki [2012-07-22 15:05:25 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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JAugustM In reply to ??? [2012-07-21 06:40:26 +0000 UTC]

Awesome tutorial, already bought everything i need and folded my paper! but before i start sewing, could you help me a bit with connecting the 3rd back to the 1st?

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to JAugustM [2012-07-21 14:06:24 +0000 UTC]

Let me know how it turns out!
Have you checked the video (link in the description)? If it still doesn't make sense I can try explaining again.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JAugustM In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-22 02:19:15 +0000 UTC]

I found it and it did help! its going great, I just need to add the cover and i will have made my first book!

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JamesDarrow In reply to JAugustM [2012-07-25 12:58:54 +0000 UTC]

That's great, send me a link when you're done. ^^

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mellsko In reply to ??? [2012-07-20 15:27:26 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! Thank you, it's a great tutorial! Now I just need to convert inch to centrimetre

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to mellsko [2012-07-20 23:59:01 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it useful.

I would have used centimeter since it's standard, but I'm so used to using inches. D;

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mellsko In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-22 21:11:06 +0000 UTC]

No problem, I just wanted to mention it ^^

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Azurega In reply to ??? [2012-07-20 01:43:23 +0000 UTC]

Great! I'd love to use this sometime! Thanks for the time and effort put into this, this is great!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Azurega [2012-07-20 06:11:34 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure, good luck!

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Totemo-Oishii In reply to ??? [2012-07-19 21:37:47 +0000 UTC]

I used your tutorial to fix two Japanese notebooks I have that were falling apart. You can look at how they turned out here: [link]

Thanks for posting this tutorial. I had to deviate a little using some extra glue and duct tape, but they turned out looking nice and professionally done.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Totemo-Oishii [2012-07-20 06:03:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for sharing!
I'm glad that you were able to find the tutorial useful.

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MissDaisy14 In reply to ??? [2012-07-19 19:45:19 +0000 UTC]

I was thinking of making my personal notebooks and sketchpads. Good thing I bumped into this tutorial. Awesome! I'll try this soon

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JamesDarrow In reply to MissDaisy14 [2012-07-20 06:03:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!
Good luck and let me know how it turns out for you. ^^

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BlackFireOpal In reply to ??? [2012-07-19 01:28:55 +0000 UTC]

Amazing!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to BlackFireOpal [2012-07-19 07:39:11 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Peacelover2 In reply to ??? [2012-07-18 13:41:29 +0000 UTC]

o.o wow awesome

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Peacelover2 [2012-07-18 15:26:34 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Peacelover2 In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-18 19:28:13 +0000 UTC]

XD

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nkmn17 In reply to ??? [2012-07-14 17:45:53 +0000 UTC]

This tutorial is one of the best I've found online so far... Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with the world!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to nkmn17 [2012-07-17 05:53:26 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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zebrrra In reply to ??? [2012-07-12 10:01:26 +0000 UTC]

this is a great and highly understandable tutorial... thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to zebrrra [2012-07-13 16:19:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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yliadinosaur In reply to ??? [2012-07-09 20:59:51 +0000 UTC]

gonna try this soon ;3

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to yliadinosaur [2012-07-09 23:14:05 +0000 UTC]

Good luck!

👍: 0 ⏩: 2

yliadinosaur In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-10 15:31:49 +0000 UTC]

my finished book ;3 [link]

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JamesDarrow In reply to yliadinosaur [2012-07-11 04:41:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the link. ^^

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yliadinosaur In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-11 09:40:12 +0000 UTC]

no problem ;3

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yliadinosaur In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-07-10 09:22:19 +0000 UTC]

thanks ;3

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JoshiKiana In reply to ??? [2012-07-08 06:13:22 +0000 UTC]

awesome tutorial!!! now i dont have to buy some notebooks to draw XD economic XDDD
fav!! great work!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to JoshiKiana [2012-07-09 03:12:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
Let me know how it works for you.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

YeahGinger In reply to ??? [2012-07-07 16:17:37 +0000 UTC]

thank you very much! wooooow, now I can do super-sketchboooooks,yeaaaaap !))

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to YeahGinger [2012-07-07 19:00:36 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Jamie1224 In reply to ??? [2012-07-06 04:44:09 +0000 UTC]

I have actually done this before! They are fabulous for journal writing, and pictures. You can cover your bood with hand marbled paper and I makes it very unique! They also have specialty paper at crafts stores that are very reasonable.

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JamesDarrow In reply to Jamie1224 [2012-07-09 03:13:10 +0000 UTC]

yes, I often find myself in the paper isle buying a few of each. xD

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cookieredd In reply to ??? [2012-07-05 21:27:00 +0000 UTC]

Great tutorial!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to cookieredd [2012-07-05 22:12:35 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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