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JamesDarrowBookbinding Tutorial by-nc-nd

Published: 2012-04-11 22:56:55 +0000 UTC; Views: 708428; Favourites: 17668; 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 13:56:31 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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SkittleE275 In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 05:22:50 +0000 UTC]

That is truly wonderful, you've done a fantastic job here. Looks great.

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JamesDarrow In reply to SkittleE275 [2012-04-23 05:25:51 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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topec In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 05:22:02 +0000 UTC]

The paper you suggest, can that be used in a printer or will it go horribly wrong?

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JamesDarrow In reply to topec [2012-04-23 05:24:38 +0000 UTC]

I really wouldn't recommend it. Going off your other comment and seeing as you'd need to use it, I suppose you could go with it. The paper won't be very good though when it comes to sewing.
You might find this tutorial more useful.

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topec In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-23 05:40:20 +0000 UTC]

His does seem more like the finished product I would want for the insides, but I have to admit, I got lost a lot more reading his than yours
Not to mention his relies on you wanting to print that exact thing and keeping it, it doesn't seem generalized enough for my purposes.

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JamesDarrow In reply to topec [2012-04-24 01:47:49 +0000 UTC]

Well, perhaps you can find a nice balance and make something worth your time

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luckcharm In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 05:15:35 +0000 UTC]



SO AWESOME~ I must try this

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JamesDarrow In reply to luckcharm [2012-04-23 05:26:55 +0000 UTC]

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MidnightSoiree In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:50:18 +0000 UTC]

This is a great tutorial, and it's very deserving of the DD feature! I'm so doing this now! Thanks for sharing!

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JamesDarrow In reply to MidnightSoiree [2012-04-23 04:57:40 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
Send me a link when you're done

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Yagamiseven In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:45:04 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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JamesDarrow In reply to Yagamiseven [2012-04-23 04:51:28 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure :)

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Gyrforce In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:41:42 +0000 UTC]

That is truly incredible! Worth the DD a dozen times over.

Just yesterday I was talking with someone about binding my own books for sketching and writing. Finding this tutorial was a stroke of luck because it answered all the questions I had on the matter. Thank you for posting this to share with everyone. It's an extremely valuable skill that will not go unused.

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JamesDarrow In reply to Gyrforce [2012-04-23 04:51:56 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so very much!

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LolitaLindsay In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:34:14 +0000 UTC]

yep thats how i learned it XD only mine was a lot smaller. it was just for art class

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JamesDarrow In reply to LolitaLindsay [2012-04-23 04:51:05 +0000 UTC]

Everyone seems to have taken more interesting art classes than I did xD

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LolitaLindsay In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-23 06:03:29 +0000 UTC]

lol aw im sorry

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Sangrebloom In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:26:59 +0000 UTC]

This is an amazing Idea.I really look forward to making a book from this method!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Sangrebloom [2012-04-23 04:49:40 +0000 UTC]

Good luck!

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dragonphi10 In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:18:39 +0000 UTC]

Very nice.
You can be sure I will be using this tutorial in the future!

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JamesDarrow In reply to dragonphi10 [2012-04-23 04:49:52 +0000 UTC]

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Harbinger-of-Rage In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:17:26 +0000 UTC]

I need to try this. Amazing tutorial :]

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JamesDarrow In reply to Harbinger-of-Rage [2012-04-23 04:50:43 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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blackbeamer In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:15:24 +0000 UTC]

this is soooo useful.... thx buddy!!

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JamesDarrow In reply to blackbeamer [2012-04-23 04:50:00 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure

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4-CtY In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:10:40 +0000 UTC]

I learned this in school, but forgot a few steps. Thanks for the well made tutorial as a refresher.

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JamesDarrow In reply to 4-CtY [2012-04-23 04:16:01 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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ThisIsMissMic In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:09:17 +0000 UTC]

lovely!

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JamesDarrow In reply to ThisIsMissMic [2012-04-23 04:15:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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AlaskanWyvern In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 04:08:09 +0000 UTC]

I'm really intrigued by this. Would you need chipboard along the spine if you used a decent-weight leather for the cover? (By which I mean something in the 2oz range, so it could hold its shape by itself.) The only problem I could see would be if the flexing from the front and back covers worked the spine loose over time.

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JamesDarrow In reply to AlaskanWyvern [2012-04-23 04:15:40 +0000 UTC]

I'm sorry, I don't have any experience with leather so I wouldn't be the best for advice on it.
Since the book would be attached to the covers and spine is mostly for the support of the cover, I think that the book could have a sturdy cover and no spine.

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AlaskanWyvern In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-23 04:36:22 +0000 UTC]

Cool, thanks.

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SassyCassieArt In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 03:47:22 +0000 UTC]

That's cool!! I love how there is a cat in one of the pictures XD

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JamesDarrow In reply to SassyCassieArt [2012-04-23 03:57:51 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
She was being quite helpful (and adorable) so I couldn't justify retaking the photos

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SassyCassieArt In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-23 23:29:40 +0000 UTC]

Aww She was really cute ^^

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JamesDarrow In reply to SassyCassieArt [2012-04-24 02:11:10 +0000 UTC]


Perhaps if I do any other tutorials I should do them exclusively with a cat :D

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SassyCassieArt In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-24 02:15:40 +0000 UTC]

XD That would be really cute!!

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JamesDarrow In reply to SassyCassieArt [2012-04-24 02:59:30 +0000 UTC]

I'd read every tutorial that featured a cat

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SassyCassieArt In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-24 12:30:36 +0000 UTC]

I would too!!

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Contraltissimo In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 03:44:13 +0000 UTC]

Aoh my gosh this is so much the awesomesauce! Thanks for posting!

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JamesDarrow In reply to Contraltissimo [2012-04-23 03:52:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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brise-fer In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 03:38:06 +0000 UTC]

Dude, this is sooo amazing :icncannotevenplz:

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JamesDarrow In reply to brise-fer [2012-04-23 03:43:19 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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ScarletPrince In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 03:34:52 +0000 UTC]

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JamesDarrow In reply to ScarletPrince [2012-04-23 03:43:34 +0000 UTC]

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ScarletPrince In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-24 01:27:56 +0000 UTC]

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Nezusagi In reply to ??? [2012-04-23 03:33:18 +0000 UTC]

You made a real sexy book right there.
I've always wanted to know how they were made & this seems easy~!!
Amazing work.
CONGRATZ ON THE DD

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JamesDarrow In reply to Nezusagi [2012-04-23 03:47:42 +0000 UTC]


Thank you so much!

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Nezusagi In reply to JamesDarrow [2012-04-23 03:52:27 +0000 UTC]

You're very much welcome~! XD

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