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JamesDarrowBookbinding Tutorial by-nc-nd

Published: 2012-04-11 22:56:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 707898; 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

JamesDarrow In reply to ??? [2012-05-05 00:19:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the comment, I hadn't heard anything like that but it might be useful so I'll add the info to the description

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LookshyLily In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-05 00:37:54 +0000 UTC]

Like I said... I haven't used it myself for bookbinding, my mom's friend has just raved about her results. I have used it for sewing purses, and have had amazing results with it on heavier fabrics, so I really can't see why it wouldn't work as long as it isn't pulled so tight that it starts tearing paper. Good luck to everyone who tries it, though!

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topec In reply to ??? [2012-05-04 21:54:07 +0000 UTC]

In your pictures there is a white fabric on top of your red one, what is that?

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JamesDarrow In reply to topec [2012-05-05 00:17:56 +0000 UTC]

I was using some sample fabric so that was from when it was used to demonstrate. It is nothing significant.

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topec In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-05 05:52:05 +0000 UTC]

Okay, thanks for answering my question.

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gothss123 In reply to ??? [2012-05-04 21:35:32 +0000 UTC]

i was always curious about this but never got around to looking at it awesome tutorial btw

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JamesDarrow In reply to gothss123 [2012-05-05 00:18:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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StudioDisarray In reply to ??? [2012-05-04 18:45:27 +0000 UTC]

Incredibly helpful! Thank you for sharing.

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JamesDarrow In reply to StudioDisarray [2012-05-05 00:18:35 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Smevog In reply to ??? [2012-05-04 14:27:08 +0000 UTC]

Interesting. Might use this one day. :3

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JamesDarrow In reply to Smevog [2012-05-05 00:18:29 +0000 UTC]

Good luck

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Wildwalker In reply to ??? [2012-05-04 06:04:35 +0000 UTC]

I've just got to try this some time! This is so cool! Definitely worth its DD. I wonder if I could use a fabric that works with iron-on transfer paper. I'd be so thrilled if I could make pre-publishing copies of some of the books I'm writing, cover art and all. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift to my english teacher. That is, if I can power through this writer's block and get something finished by then.

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JamesDarrow In reply to Wildwalker [2012-05-05 00:35:56 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Let me know how any of that turns out

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Wildwalker In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-05 05:09:23 +0000 UTC]

I will!

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topec In reply to ??? [2012-05-04 06:00:23 +0000 UTC]

When you get to the third how do you connect it to the first?
Sorry, just not sure about it

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JamesDarrow In reply to topec [2012-05-05 00:22:18 +0000 UTC]

This video should help!

Please note that it isn't uploading / converting at the moment so you might not see it for a little while.
[link]

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topec In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-05 05:52:57 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much, this is a great help.

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JamesDarrow In reply to topec [2012-05-06 14:58:03 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad

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xCarnationFox In reply to ??? [2012-05-04 01:52:31 +0000 UTC]

I remember the first time I learned this. It was in my 7th grade art class.

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JamesDarrow In reply to xCarnationFox [2012-05-04 03:45:31 +0000 UTC]

Lucky
I never got to do anything like that >.<

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xCarnationFox In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-04 21:00:31 +0000 UTC]

thanks.

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Aleacus In reply to ??? [2012-05-03 23:56:26 +0000 UTC]

This is in my list of things to do someday!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Aleacus [2012-05-04 00:18:06 +0000 UTC]

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Uglypaperclip In reply to ??? [2012-05-03 22:55:03 +0000 UTC]

I want to try this.

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JamesDarrow In reply to Uglypaperclip [2012-05-04 00:18:13 +0000 UTC]

Good luck

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SucroseSugar In reply to ??? [2012-05-03 21:54:18 +0000 UTC]

Wow! This is absolutely amazing! I hope that I will be able to accomplish this art! (Of course, when I have free time...)

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JamesDarrow In reply to SucroseSugar [2012-05-04 00:19:40 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Sipper-Paws In reply to ??? [2012-05-03 02:07:15 +0000 UTC]

I'd love to use this ^u^

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JamesDarrow In reply to Sipper-Paws [2012-05-03 15:55:25 +0000 UTC]

Good luck

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Sipper-Paws In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-03 23:04:40 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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ariasgemini In reply to ??? [2012-05-02 23:56:17 +0000 UTC]

This is so neat and helpful! My mother never got the chance to teach me how to do this (it was her chosen elective while in secondary in Mexico). It will be a nice thing to give her if I can do this right

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JamesDarrow In reply to ariasgemini [2012-05-03 15:55:14 +0000 UTC]

aww
Good luck

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ariasgemini In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-03 18:02:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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Ra1nDanc3r In reply to ??? [2012-05-02 19:24:50 +0000 UTC]

do you use plastic canvas? or Painting canvas

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JamesDarrow In reply to Ra1nDanc3r [2012-05-03 01:53:49 +0000 UTC]

Fabric

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Ayayu In reply to ??? [2012-05-02 09:47:36 +0000 UTC]

I´m trying out this tut and i must say dental floss goes perfectly !!!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Ayayu [2012-05-03 15:55:00 +0000 UTC]

quite

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Nestharon In reply to ??? [2012-05-02 06:11:00 +0000 UTC]

I thank you very much

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JamesDarrow In reply to Nestharon [2012-05-02 06:31:21 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure :)

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mbah In reply to ??? [2012-05-01 20:29:15 +0000 UTC]

I made a second book with the technique from this tutorial [link]

I'm having such a good time making these, I am actually preparing to make at least four more :-D

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JamesDarrow In reply to mbah [2012-05-01 21:43:11 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the link

Both books look good, are you making them for others?
(just wondering seeing as they're going to be quite a few) ^^

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mbah In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-01 22:42:25 +0000 UTC]

I'm just enjoying making them, but you guessed right, two of them are indeed intended as gifts.

I also find it quite calming to watch TV while folding, cutting and binding the paper ^^

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JamesDarrow In reply to mbah [2012-05-02 01:49:58 +0000 UTC]

I know how that is. I make my books near my computer so I always have Netflix or something playing

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SpazticArwen In reply to ??? [2012-05-01 16:16:51 +0000 UTC]

I would like to feature a link to this tutorial on my blog The Nerdy Pagan. I am doing a link round up of resources for scrap booking and journal making, and creating books of shadows. Here is a link to my blog. The article should be up by the end of the day. [link]

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JamesDarrow In reply to SpazticArwen [2012-05-01 16:29:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, I'm very happy to hear that!
I look forward to reading it.
If interested, my personal tumblr is dourmeanderings.tumblr.com

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Ayayu In reply to ??? [2012-05-01 08:45:12 +0000 UTC]

waaa thx for this awsome tutorial !!!!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Ayayu [2012-05-01 14:23:27 +0000 UTC]

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XxOtenbaxX In reply to ??? [2012-04-30 21:20:51 +0000 UTC]

Wow! Thanks for all your hard work!!! I will surely try this out!!!!

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JamesDarrow In reply to XxOtenbaxX [2012-04-30 21:35:36 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
Good luck~

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XxOtenbaxX In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-15 21:03:31 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome
Thnks!

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