Lauren's First Bound Book

I have introduced my friend Lauren to book making. She decided she wanted to make the covers with fabric scraps randomly stitched onto a calico backing and featuring many of the decorative stitches her sewing machine offers.  I showed her how to do some basic beading, and away she went in a flurry of creation.  And voila!  Lauren’s first book, an A4 coptic bound sketchbook to be used for botanical illustrations.

Book Binding Experiment

I made this 140mm x 140mm leather journal at a recent workshop.  The leather cover was not firm enough for my liking so I unbound it.  I strengthened the pink leopard fabric by ironing Applifix to it and then a layer of pelmet vilene.  The buttons were sewn to the spine and the plaited elastic band was sewn to a piece of flat binding then glued along the back cover.  Next, the stiffened fabric was glued to the leather using EVA.  The experimental bit was the rebinding of the sections back in to the cover, and the red headbands – very much a Design-As-You-Go process that I couldn’t put down on paper if I tried.  Quite happy with the result though.  And the closure was my idea.

ABC Mini Book Swap - “Birds”

This book measures 5cm x 5cm (2” x 2”) and was made as part of the March 2011 Swap

Side 1:  Coloured

Side 2: Black & White

ABC Mini Book Swap “Spells & Potions” – August 2010

Rob Hunt, a new member of the Associaton of Book Crafts, organised a Mini Book Swap with the theme of Spells & Potions.  I have never made books this small, but I decided to take part as a means of getting my creative juices flowing after a long break from activity in my studio.  This little book is only 2 inches square so I found it quite difficult to manage but it was an enjoyable process and outcome.

Leather Sketch Journals

I've just finished making these two journals to take travelling with me. They are made from beautifully soft upholstery leather, lined with stiffened fabric, page size 160mmW x210mmH. The paper is my fave for this type of book - Canson 'Montval' - its 185g Acid Free watercolour paper. It handles water very well with little or no buckling and doesn't bleed back. Great for sketching, watercolours, collage - everything you can throw at it. And it's very cost effective. The books were a challenge to make, but now that they're done, I am proud of them and am beginning to like working with leather after all.

Canson Montval 185g CP	Stretch Band Closures	Long Stitch Binding,linen thread
Folios of Book #1	Back Storage Pocket	Folios of Book #2
Book #2	Back Storage Pocket	Blanket Stitched edges

Making A Leather Notebook

I decided to make a leather covered travel notebook as a precursor to making a sketchbook travel journal.  I have never worked with leather as a book cover, so I wanted to try it out.  I also wanted to experiment with closures, pockets and binding methods.  On the spur of the moment, I decided to take photographs as I went – I used my little handbag Lumix camera, and didn’t think to check the settings first.  Unfortunately, some of the photos are blurred but I am merely sharing my record of the exercise.

A bit of planning	Measuring the spine	Which possum skin?	Testing a closure
Cutting layout	End cover fabric	Attaching the closure	Checking the fit
Flap stitched in place	Planning the stitching	Piercing the spine	Attaching the folios
Glueing loose ties	Flat out	From the side	Voila!

Groovy Little Number

I needed a Week-To-View Diary and being the experimenter that I am, I created this groovy little book for the purpose of housing the diary pages.  The cover is made from recycled materials and the very groovy accompanying pencil was given to me by my friend Ailie, and it has the most gorgeous faceted jewel attached to the top of it.  I love it.