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JamesDarrowBookbinding Tutorial by-nc-nd

Published: 2012-04-11 22:56:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 707884; Favourites: 17671; 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

ti-DESIGN In reply to ??? [2012-05-25 05:47:41 +0000 UTC]

This is extremely interesting, and useful! Thanks so much for sharing!

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JamesDarrow In reply to ti-DESIGN [2012-05-26 04:33:10 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure

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Entraya In reply to ??? [2012-05-24 11:47:14 +0000 UTC]

Ive always been curious about how the hell books are made. And this is where i remind myself that my grandad was a bookbinder and couldve told me.. Nevertheless, seeing it like this is interesting as hell, not that im gonna try it myself. I think.. Mayhaps

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JamesDarrow In reply to Entraya [2012-05-25 03:13:47 +0000 UTC]

It's worth the effort

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Entraya In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-26 19:50:56 +0000 UTC]

Would it be possible to print out pages and bind them this way?

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JamesDarrow In reply to Entraya [2012-05-26 23:02:09 +0000 UTC]

Sure, if you set it up so that when you fold the printed page you get the four pages of your book in order. It might take some time planning with the page layout.

I have this tutorial that might make it easier.

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Ari-M1A1 In reply to ??? [2012-05-24 00:59:22 +0000 UTC]

This is amazing. One day I might like to screen print books and this will come in very handy!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Ari-M1A1 [2012-05-24 01:38:37 +0000 UTC]

Sounds interesting, let me know how that turns out for you

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yueaKii In reply to ??? [2012-05-22 04:30:39 +0000 UTC]

May I ask, what kind of paper is best to use for this? I'm thinking of making a scrapbook or journal

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JamesDarrow In reply to yueaKii [2012-05-22 04:43:11 +0000 UTC]

Something thicker like a sketch or watercolor paper. I prefer using 80lb Strathmore drawing paper, it makes for nice pages that are easy to work with and can be written on without bleeding through or denting the pages underneath.

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yueaKii In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-26 10:27:45 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I see. Thank you very much!

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JamesDarrow In reply to yueaKii [2012-05-27 00:28:08 +0000 UTC]

No problem

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Luinaear In reply to ??? [2012-05-21 13:13:52 +0000 UTC]

Wow, this is really great! This is the best tutorial I've seen so far *-*
Now I can make the TARDIS book for my friend :3

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Luinaear [2012-05-21 15:12:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

wishfullDreamer In reply to ??? [2012-05-20 13:59:43 +0000 UTC]

I am currently making a sketchbook for my friend, but I have a little problem... I am done sewing all the signatures and I glued the side with all the sewing, but I don't have any canvas. Can I replace the canvas with card stock? Also, I don't have any chipboard so could I cut two pieces from a cardboard box and glue them together to replace the chipboard? Sorry... I am really materials-deficient. And thank you fir this amazing tutorial!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to wishfullDreamer [2012-05-21 05:17:53 +0000 UTC]

I don't think card stock would work as well, you could try. I personally would try using some kind of fabric material if canvas isn't around. Also, the cardboard won't be as sturdy as the chipboard, but if that's okay with you then it should be fine.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

wishfullDreamer In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-21 20:46:18 +0000 UTC]

What type of fabric material? Oh, and I found some 'cardboard', it's the hard material that binders have so that the sides are sturdy... Could I possibly use that for the cover chipboard?

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JamesDarrow In reply to wishfullDreamer [2012-05-23 03:04:54 +0000 UTC]

I just used some discount fabric I found secondhand, whatever works for you should do.
Sure, that works. As long as the board is thin and sturdy.

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wishfullDreamer In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-27 23:39:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the info!

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JamesDarrow In reply to wishfullDreamer [2012-05-28 00:08:00 +0000 UTC]

No problem

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lizabethj2 In reply to ??? [2012-05-20 13:41:34 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, James! I plan to use your technique to make books out of greeting cards that I've received over the years. Not all of them are worthy of being kept, but some are very precious. Thanks again.

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JamesDarrow In reply to lizabethj2 [2012-05-21 05:16:22 +0000 UTC]

Send me a link if you upload it

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lizabethj2 In reply to ??? [2012-05-20 13:39:26 +0000 UTC]

So cool! Thank you, James. I'm going to use your technique to make books out of the greeting cards I've received over the years.

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Lord-Gale In reply to ??? [2012-05-19 17:12:18 +0000 UTC]

I don't see how you connected the first signature to the third...

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JamesDarrow In reply to Lord-Gale [2012-05-20 02:03:01 +0000 UTC]

watch the video (link in the description)

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Lord-Gale In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-20 03:11:57 +0000 UTC]

ok, Thanks!

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n0irex In reply to ??? [2012-05-19 10:03:11 +0000 UTC]

Excellent tutorial! Very helpful

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JamesDarrow In reply to n0irex [2012-05-20 02:11:48 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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Biapaws In reply to ??? [2012-05-18 05:49:59 +0000 UTC]

I really have struggled to learn this, i look forward to trying out this tutorial ty!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Biapaws [2012-05-20 02:11:57 +0000 UTC]

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mdu-ntr In reply to ??? [2012-05-17 15:31:27 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for uploading. I'm currently using this tutorial to make a wedding present. I'll show you when it's done.

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JamesDarrow In reply to mdu-ntr [2012-05-17 16:31:29 +0000 UTC]

How nice
I look forward to seeing it.

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mdu-ntr In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-22 08:06:44 +0000 UTC]

Alas, I forgot to take a photo before I wrapped it. I didn't realise until I got home. T.T It worked out okay for a first attempt. It had a crimson cover with golden filigree of strawberries, two deep blue bookmarks and the paper was slightly yellowed with age. I didn't have any proper glue so I used Quik Grip for everything. I also couldn't find any scissors so I used a stanley knife and ruler for everything. Things got a little interesting.

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JamesDarrow In reply to mdu-ntr [2012-05-24 01:38:06 +0000 UTC]

Oh well, sounds nice though.
If you make any more, I'd love to see ^^

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mdu-ntr In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-24 13:52:14 +0000 UTC]

Will do. I should think of an excuse to make one... there's gotta be a birthday around somewhere.

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JamesDarrow In reply to mdu-ntr [2012-05-25 03:11:45 +0000 UTC]

Or just make one for yourself

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handsomedara In reply to ??? [2012-05-17 04:55:00 +0000 UTC]

if i don't have a spray then do you think i can use something else instead? i'm thinking of using glue as well, but afraid it'd ruin the paper TT TT

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JamesDarrow In reply to handsomedara [2012-05-17 05:14:30 +0000 UTC]

I wouldn't recommend using glue (paste or stick) since it will most likely warp the paper, unless you're using a thicker paper. If you can wait to get some, I'd recommend using the spray.

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MaxcinZ In reply to ??? [2012-05-16 13:03:52 +0000 UTC]

This tutorial is great and so easy to understand

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JamesDarrow In reply to MaxcinZ [2012-05-16 16:34:25 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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KiriSosha In reply to ??? [2012-05-16 05:08:26 +0000 UTC]

this is a very lovely guide, and simple to follow,

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JamesDarrow In reply to KiriSosha [2012-05-16 13:00:48 +0000 UTC]

Thank you :)

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KiriSosha In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-31 02:44:57 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome

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cain75 In reply to ??? [2012-05-15 02:21:25 +0000 UTC]

So ... do characters also pop out from books when you read aloud?

Sorry couldn't resist, thanks for the great guide man, this is an ideal cheaper present to my niece and nephews

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JamesDarrow In reply to cain75 [2012-05-15 22:15:35 +0000 UTC]

Only when you make the book properly

It does make for a good gift and it can be both a cheaper item and something made with expensive material

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phobialia In reply to ??? [2012-05-14 08:55:22 +0000 UTC]

Really useful, thank you!
My college teachers always want us to bookbind our projects and this will help me a lot.

Thanks again for sharing (:

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JamesDarrow In reply to phobialia [2012-05-15 22:15:45 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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BettiFelon In reply to ??? [2012-05-13 18:14:17 +0000 UTC]

thanks!!! I've always wanted to try binding my own book! Your tutorial is inspiring!

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JamesDarrow In reply to BettiFelon [2012-05-13 20:30:31 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!

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amitrixwolf In reply to ??? [2012-05-13 01:20:20 +0000 UTC]

do you know anyone who sells thick lined paper that's not just "printable"? ;A; i wanna make a writing book rather than a sketch book.

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