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Published: 2012-04-11 22:56:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 707807; Favourites: 17674; Downloads: 9304
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Description
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
Ladybug1985 In reply to ??? [2012-12-27 00:38:33 +0000 UTC]
I love this! A friend of mine made one as a Christmas gift and shared this in the comments as a link. I was wondering how much it would cost for a custom book to be made? I would like one but I am short on time right now to try and make it myself.
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JamesDarrow In reply to Ladybug1985 [2013-01-06 15:39:27 +0000 UTC]
Sorry, I'm a full time student so I can't make books right now. Thanks for the interest though.
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Ladybug1985 In reply to JamesDarrow [2013-01-06 17:21:31 +0000 UTC]
That is okay I know what you mean because I am a full time student as well. One of my friends made one following your tutorial and I liked it so much he directed me to you. I thought I would ask about it is all. It isn't something I have to have right now. I am willing to wait until it is possible, if that is okay with you. I will add you to my watch list for right now so maybe when you are able to I can be put on a waiting list or something? If you have one that is....
If not then I am okay with it and just would like to say the book you made and the tutorial are great! You must have great talent to be able to come up with something like that.
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tamarushka In reply to ??? [2012-12-25 15:16:03 +0000 UTC]
thanks for you tutorial, i created this with your help [link]
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JamesDarrow In reply to tamarushka [2012-12-25 16:46:31 +0000 UTC]
Nice, thanks for sharing!
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wingsofdragons In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-12-25 17:42:25 +0000 UTC]
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JamesDarrow In reply to wingsofdragons [2012-12-26 03:13:33 +0000 UTC]
Thank you, you too. ^^
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xxVAIRExx In reply to ??? [2012-12-23 03:45:49 +0000 UTC]
Hi James I had commented a few months ago, saying I was hoping to follow your tutorial to make some journals for my daughters, for Christmas. Well, I'm back to say that I finished them up today! (just in time, huh? LOL) I used a heavier drawing paper, so the pages are unlined. I used 50 sheets of paper, folded, to eventually give me 200 pages. I used an embroidery thread for stitching the pages, and I found duck cloth, as well as a really nice faux leather for the cover, in the remnants bin at the fabric store. I had to buy chipboard for the second journal, but for the first one I was able to use the backboard from the pads of drawing paper as they were nice and heavy. I used a strip of the faux leather for a bookmark and just added some beads to it. I cannot tell you how happy I am with the finished products!
I did make one mistake: I grabbed a *temporary* spray adhesive by mistake. I discovered my error when the edges of the 'leather' started peeling away from the cover before I could add the endpapers. I was able to fix this easily with my glue stick.
Thank you so much for making this wonderful tutorial. You explained the steps so well, and the video answered the only remaining question I had after reading the written tutorial. Thank you for the work you put into sharing the process with us. I can't wait to give these journals to my daughters on Christmas!
As you asked in my first comment, here are some pics of the journals I made
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]
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JamesDarrow In reply to xxVAIRExx [2012-12-25 16:49:38 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much for sharing! I'm so glad it worked out for, and the end results look beautiful. How do they like them? It certainly makes for a meaningful Christmas gift.
If you upload these to dA, please let me know. I'd love to add them to my favorites.
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xxVAIRExx In reply to xxVAIRExx [2012-12-23 03:54:18 +0000 UTC]
I forgot to add that the page dimensions of the finished journals are 6" x 9".
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tinani81600 In reply to ??? [2012-12-22 04:27:06 +0000 UTC]
can I use paper instead of the fabric?
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teapot-shark In reply to ??? [2012-12-21 17:12:23 +0000 UTC]
Beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial!
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Newburgart In reply to ??? [2012-12-18 04:08:30 +0000 UTC]
Thanks for this. I followed your tutorial and used canvas as the cover, I painted on it with guoache and put protective sealant on top, so it's a custom painted cover. Very easy to follow directions. I used crochet yarn for the binding for fun, it's a bit loose but seems to work well for what I was doing. Thanks for the great tutorial!
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JamesDarrow In reply to Newburgart [2012-12-25 16:44:21 +0000 UTC]
Sounds lovely, please feel free to share any photos if you decide to take some.
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NightEphemeral In reply to ??? [2012-12-17 12:10:43 +0000 UTC]
thanks a lot for this, I have all this loose paper that I have been wanting to do something with,
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hasmith2 In reply to ??? [2012-12-17 04:50:02 +0000 UTC]
So I tried this and it didn't work for me, probably because I lack skill. I was curious if you would make one for me and send it to me?
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ScarlettJoanns In reply to ??? [2012-12-16 20:56:08 +0000 UTC]
I am going to try it and want to thank you for the tutorial. I would have prefer it in french but it doesn't exist, it's the only one I've found and above all, it seems to be the best !
I'll send you the result !
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Kairi09Kawaii In reply to ??? [2012-12-15 10:22:51 +0000 UTC]
We did these steps before in school.. I remember ripping the paper when it was time for sewing XDDD
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JamesDarrow In reply to Kairi09Kawaii [2012-12-16 06:02:29 +0000 UTC]
Sounds lovely, I never had the opportunity to do such a thing in school. ^^
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liliummeridian In reply to ??? [2012-12-14 19:04:17 +0000 UTC]
First, I have to say, I LOVED this!
I found your tutorial extremely easy to follow (except for some of the sewing bits, that I had to guess at because I didn't quuuite understand) and the pictures were all really great!
I'm so appreciative of what you've done, especially considering professionals and organizations (CBBAG) charge up to 500$ for dvd's or lessons that teach basically the same thing (I've done a lot of research).
I made my first book a couple weeks ago following your instructions and aside from some sloppy sewing and cutting jobs, it turned out amazing! I even went so far as to buy Gold Leaf and Flakes and a stencil to put some gilding on the cover! I've been obsessed with books for my entire life, so it only makes sense that this come as naturally to me as breathing, but if it hadn't been for your tutorial I might never have realized how easy it could be or downright therapeutic!
I intend to make many, many more for my friends and family, I've even found a few websites that provide book binding materials to buy from, but if it weren't for you, I'd seriously be missing out! Now I fully intend to master this art, read everything I can on the subject, learn every technique, and one day maybe, in the farrrr, far future, I might even make back a couple bucks of the thousands of dollars I'm likely going to spend on buying all the materials to make the next 40 or so books I hope to make!
thank you again so much and Merry Christmas!
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JamesDarrow In reply to liliummeridian [2012-12-16 06:02:06 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for this message. I really appreciate the time and energy you put into writing this.
You should share some of them, I would love to see what you're making. I haven't had time since I've been in school to do much with the craft but I do hope to be able to get back into it sometime next year. Please just send me links if you upload anything.
What I found to be the case when I made this was that so many of the tutorials, as you say are expensive or they don't make much sense. Since I was just making the tutorial for a friend, I wanted something that was easy and to the point. So much of the materials are just common items that can be found at virtually any art/craft store and as far as the technique goes, it's just an art form that been around for ages and not something that one should have to pay in order to learn.
Thanks for keeping the art alive and happy holidays to you too.
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Mitumi In reply to ??? [2012-12-14 14:21:38 +0000 UTC]
How do you connect 3 to 1? Just pass the thread under the cross between 1&2?
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teresa-dawood-1997 In reply to ??? [2012-12-11 10:27:27 +0000 UTC]
im using this for a school project and its so simple and easy to follow even i could make it half asleep awesome tut
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nonsequiturs-ftw In reply to ??? [2012-12-11 01:39:52 +0000 UTC]
Hi! I'm using your tutorial to make a book for my friend for Christmas and was wondering- do you ever double up on chipboard pieces for your covers? I ordered chipboard online and cut out my covers/spine, but even this stuff seems a bit flimsy. Do you think cutting out one more of each piece and gluing them together would help at all? If so, what kind of glue would you suggest for that?
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JamesDarrow In reply to nonsequiturs-ftw [2012-12-16 05:56:43 +0000 UTC]
I never did that, but I imagine just using some paper glue should do it.
What I personally would do is glue the board together and let it set under something heavy overnight.
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AelissNovak In reply to ??? [2012-12-10 18:44:33 +0000 UTC]
I'm making a little book for my sister. I'm going to put it in her Christmas stocking. Thanks for the tutorial!
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JamesDarrow In reply to AelissNovak [2012-12-16 05:55:01 +0000 UTC]
Sounds like the best type of gift.
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Helokiza In reply to ??? [2012-12-07 20:00:57 +0000 UTC]
OMG! sakurawiter did one of those for me. It's so great to have one of those that you know that was handmade. Great tutorial! Maybe I'll try do make my own this time
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negativefeeling In reply to ??? [2012-12-06 21:01:10 +0000 UTC]
I'd be trying this some time soon... And I wasn't even dreaming of it. I mean, this is a great tutorial it made me want to try it myself!
Thank you!
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watertiger21 In reply to ??? [2012-12-06 06:23:39 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much for this! Your tutorial makes more sense than any of the others I've looked at (I'm completely new to this). I shall be trying this soon!
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SweetPixieDust In reply to ??? [2012-12-03 05:03:22 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for this tutorial! It's made my Christmas unbelievably better This is going to be a very special holiday thanks to you.
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JamesDarrow In reply to SweetPixieDust [2012-12-04 03:08:00 +0000 UTC]
That means a lot to me, I'm so happy to hear that.
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TeapotMysteries In reply to ??? [2012-12-01 21:36:26 +0000 UTC]
HELLOOOOO You've been featured here [link] by
please stop by and the feature
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annemar1 In reply to ??? [2012-12-01 01:41:44 +0000 UTC]
I'm going to try this soon. I'm making 4, one for me and 3 for some friends. I can't wait to get started. I really like your tutorial, it makes it seem so easy. I hope it's as easy as it looks!
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JamesDarrow In reply to annemar1 [2012-12-04 03:07:44 +0000 UTC]
Good luck and feel free to share what you make.
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annemar1 In reply to annemar1 [2012-12-02 00:05:25 +0000 UTC]
Quick question, what type of fabric did you use? Like apparel, felt,knit, or what?
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