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JamesDarrowBookbinding Tutorial by-nc-nd

Published: 2012-04-11 22:56:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 707962; Favourites: 17670; Downloads: 9305
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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 ??? [2012-04-23 21:58:33 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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thatdaisykid In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 19:42:04 +0000 UTC]

Very, very helpful, thank you.

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JamesDarrow In reply to thatdaisykid [2012-04-23 21:58:26 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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FlightlessDreamer In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 19:28:16 +0000 UTC]

Amazing tut, thank you so much for taking the time to show us how it's done.
Your work is gorgeous! I can't wait to try this out for myself- I've wanted to make my own journals for years.

Cheers!

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JamesDarrow In reply to FlightlessDreamer [2012-04-23 21:58:17 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
Good luck with yours

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FlightlessDreamer In reply to FlightlessDreamer [2012-04-23 19:32:52 +0000 UTC]

Just had a thought- I've done some bead work in the past and seem to have an abundance of silk thread laying around. How well would the silk thread work if I ran it through a lump of beeswax before stringing everything together? Is silk sturdy enough for binding?

Thanks again!

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JamesDarrow In reply to FlightlessDreamer [2012-04-24 04:21:28 +0000 UTC]

I'm not entirely sure, I don't know how strong silk tread is. I would recommend doubling it over if you think it won't be strong enough.
Sorry.

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FlightlessDreamer In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-24 06:40:27 +0000 UTC]

No need for sorry, Thanks for the input!

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epicgrace In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 18:15:58 +0000 UTC]

My friend just pointed out that the black blur covering the stickboard and and is actually a cat.

This is a wonderful tutorial- I can't wait to bind a sketchbook for myself. My friend is also very excited about the prospect of binding a book for herself as well.
...
And we both love cats.

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JamesDarrow In reply to epicgrace [2012-04-23 18:53:12 +0000 UTC]


She was being so helpful! xD

Good luck with both books

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epicgrace In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-24 18:12:29 +0000 UTC]

If I can, I'll be sure to upload photos of mine when I'm finished~
'Course, that might be a long time away.
School gets so busy during the final days of the school year, it's left me with almost no free time.

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JamesDarrow In reply to epicgrace [2012-04-25 13:45:48 +0000 UTC]

I remember how that was D;

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katrinaaa92 In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 17:53:34 +0000 UTC]

very definitely going to give it a try!

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JamesDarrow In reply to katrinaaa92 [2012-04-23 21:57:56 +0000 UTC]

Good luck!

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StrawberryChewies In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 13:48:26 +0000 UTC]

8D This is amazing and soooo helpful!~ How brilliant! ^.^

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JamesDarrow In reply to StrawberryChewies [2012-04-23 14:04:12 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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StrawberryChewies In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-23 14:06:21 +0000 UTC]

;D You're welcome!~

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EemaX3 In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 13:33:49 +0000 UTC]

That was a very grate tutorial, and a helpful one too~!! <3
THNX A BAZZILION~!!! <3 ^w^

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JamesDarrow In reply to EemaX3 [2012-04-23 14:04:36 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!

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EemaX3 In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-24 12:04:45 +0000 UTC]

^-^ <3

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Anlis-chan In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 10:14:56 +0000 UTC]

Aww this is a very well tutorial!!! Today is saint george here in spain and I wish I could see this tutorial before so I could make a book but I will do it even if it's not saint george hihihi thank you so much for this fabulous present ^^

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JamesDarrow In reply to Anlis-chan [2012-04-23 21:57:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Duskhaze In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 07:10:55 +0000 UTC]

Step 23: Employ mandatory black cat trained in bookbinding skills
Gorgeous final product by the way. Added to favs in the hope Ill get around to trying this sometime.

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JamesDarrow In reply to Duskhaze [2012-04-23 14:10:43 +0000 UTC]

Thanks so much!
No kidding, she was asleep and then the cover fabric showed up next to her and she couldn't resist >w <

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Broken-Moons In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 07:05:08 +0000 UTC]

Wow, awesome. Now I never have to buy a notebook or sketchbook ever again!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Broken-Moons [2012-04-23 13:53:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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myselfonly In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 07:00:19 +0000 UTC]

Awesome! )

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JamesDarrow In reply to myselfonly [2012-04-23 13:44:54 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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edtropolis In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:59:57 +0000 UTC]

I did this once in a printmaking class...it was kind of a pain to make but it turned out good once all the work was done...

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JamesDarrow In reply to edtropolis [2012-04-23 13:58:58 +0000 UTC]

Yes, it's quite worth the effort ^^

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requiem-at-saturday In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:57:21 +0000 UTC]

Brilliant!

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JamesDarrow In reply to requiem-at-saturday [2012-04-23 13:45:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Berift In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:30:03 +0000 UTC]

I might use this after for my series when it's finished. Give out a few special ones to freinds. Thanks for the awesome tutorial.

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JamesDarrow In reply to Berift [2012-04-23 13:45:23 +0000 UTC]


Thank you!

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Arekasadaro In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:19:52 +0000 UTC]

Will I ever do this probably not but way to cool not to fav it.

Very clear tutorial, thx!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Arekasadaro [2012-04-23 13:54:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
You should give it a go at some point, it's well worth the effort.

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Ramavatarama In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:13:36 +0000 UTC]

I'm so gonna do this.

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JamesDarrow In reply to Ramavatarama [2012-04-23 13:54:14 +0000 UTC]

Good luck!

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Ramavatarama In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-24 05:26:19 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!!!!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Ramavatarama [2012-04-24 14:14:30 +0000 UTC]

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RA-Meenan In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:13:16 +0000 UTC]

OMG This is AWESOME. I've been wanting to make my own journal for some time now! Thanks! Congrats on the dd, it's well deserved!

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JamesDarrow In reply to RA-Meenan [2012-04-23 13:52:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much!

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WererStritchy In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:11:59 +0000 UTC]

A very nicely done tutorial, I hope to use it sometime!

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JamesDarrow In reply to WererStritchy [2012-04-23 13:40:43 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! :)

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WererStritchy In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-23 21:56:38 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome.

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ADQuatt In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 06:10:11 +0000 UTC]

Man, this would have been helpful a few months ago when I made books for my friends. It's so much more handy than compiling various YouTube videos.

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JamesDarrow In reply to ADQuatt [2012-04-23 13:41:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. I tried to make a tutorial that was very straightforward and covered the basics ^^

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DitzyIzzy In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 05:54:14 +0000 UTC]

I am so glad to have found this tutorial. I can bind my own comics yay! I love you~~

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JamesDarrow In reply to DitzyIzzy [2012-04-23 13:42:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Le-Okami In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 05:31:53 +0000 UTC]

I don't even write that much, but this is something I need to try at least once. lol Fun crafting idea, and it actually has a practical use. Brilliant. ^_^ Thank you for posting such an interesting little tutorial, its very cool.

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