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JamesDarrowBookbinding Tutorial by-nc-nd

Published: 2012-04-11 22:56:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 728539; Favourites: 17640; Downloads: 9313
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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

Alvyna In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:40:39 +0000 UTC]

so cool!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Alvyna [2012-04-22 13:53:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

JDB-Inks In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:37:47 +0000 UTC]

Bad ass! I like to cook and have wanted to get a recipe book for all that I do but never seem to be able to find something I like, Totally gonna try this!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to JDB-Inks [2012-04-22 13:45:47 +0000 UTC]

Let me know how that turns out!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

rydi1689 In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:29:35 +0000 UTC]

I love you for this <3 it was very easy to follow and the results look neat <3 must try it!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to rydi1689 [2012-04-22 13:53:53 +0000 UTC]

Thank you and good luck!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

TheTornWeaver In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:18:46 +0000 UTC]

asdfghjkl;
MUST. DO. THIS.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to TheTornWeaver [2012-04-22 13:54:00 +0000 UTC]

Good luck

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

TheTornWeaver In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-05-01 01:16:11 +0000 UTC]

Thanks.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Dennise In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:11:59 +0000 UTC]

This is frekking awesome, i must try this

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Dennise [2012-04-22 13:46:39 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Elizabethsailor7 In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:04:44 +0000 UTC]

This is epic. Congrats on the DD!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Elizabethsailor7 [2012-04-22 13:46:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Elizabethsailor7 In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-22 14:05:31 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! ^w^

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

NebetSeta In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:04:20 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to NebetSeta [2012-04-22 13:33:45 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

J-eEe-Y In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 13:02:10 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much! It may be useful...

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to J-eEe-Y [2012-04-22 13:54:17 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure :)

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

fukuu-chan In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 12:38:26 +0000 UTC]

you are my hero

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to fukuu-chan [2012-04-22 13:33:56 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Incross In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 12:28:47 +0000 UTC]

wow ; 7 ; thank you very much for the tutorial!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Incross [2012-04-22 13:34:14 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure :D

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

WB-MF In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 12:21:49 +0000 UTC]

Incredibly clear and useful, will definitely try this at some point in the future!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to WB-MF [2012-04-22 13:34:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Torotiel In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 11:59:51 +0000 UTC]

Hey sweet, I suggested this! Congrats, well deserved!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Torotiel [2012-04-22 13:54:56 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

LauraTolton In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 11:52:06 +0000 UTC]

This is exactly how I was taught this a few years ago yet had since forgotten the small details, thank you for sharing!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to LauraTolton [2012-04-22 13:38:44 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure :)

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

MaevesChild In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 11:37:15 +0000 UTC]

I have always wanted to try this. Thanks for breaking it down so well.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to MaevesChild [2012-04-22 13:30:21 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Not-So-Handsome In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 11:32:35 +0000 UTC]

Amazing tutorial!
When I finish school at the end of the year I'd love to give this a try

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Not-So-Handsome [2012-04-22 13:30:29 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Sakkeru In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 11:29:38 +0000 UTC]

Wow! This looks really interesting, I might try it... Especially since I'm hoping to cosplay a character who has a large book as part of the costume.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Sakkeru [2012-04-22 13:31:00 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
Good luck and send me a link if you make it

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Sakkeru In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-22 15:35:37 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!
Thank you, and I shall!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Darantha In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 11:20:21 +0000 UTC]

Woha, this is really cool!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Darantha [2012-04-22 13:31:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Darantha In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-22 13:32:02 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome, really great tutorial.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

otohime0394 In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 10:59:25 +0000 UTC]

Hi! Thanks so much for this great resource, I had a lot of fun making my own book.
Mine is here , if you're interested. c:

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to otohime0394 [2012-04-22 13:19:35 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

otohime0394 In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-22 18:29:56 +0000 UTC]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Milena-Zaremba In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 10:35:24 +0000 UTC]

This is brillant! Thanks for posting the tutorial!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Milena-Zaremba [2012-04-22 13:55:04 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Natmonkey In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 10:29:29 +0000 UTC]

Terrific! Thanks for sharing this easy to follow and clear tutorial. I'd love to try my hand at this.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Natmonkey [2012-04-22 13:27:38 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Mirix In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 10:24:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the tutorial! I'm just running out of pages in my sketchbook, it's a luck to come across this tutorial at this particular moment! I haven't yet read it through, but by the look of it, seems like something in a range of my skills It's looking very elegant and professional. I like also the rawness of the pages, not equally cut, gives something special, some homey feeling to it ^^ Thank you once more for sharing!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to Mirix [2012-04-22 13:27:14 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I hope you find it useful.
I do really enjoy the ripped / torn page look best.
It makes the book feel more unique and not completely like every other

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

Mirix In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-22 18:40:14 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!
Yes, that's true
If I try it, I'll let you know

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

mnsterboy In reply to ??? [2012-04-22 10:18:57 +0000 UTC]

This tutorial is a really good guide in making your own book.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

JamesDarrow In reply to mnsterboy [2012-04-22 13:27:25 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

👍: 0 ⏩: 1


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