Coptic Book Binding: How to begin your coptic binding on a mini-book.

I've been here about two and a half months. It feels like much longer. But no, I'm still not "settled" or organized. Besides adjusting to the "cross-country-move/new job/roommate/roommate's cat" situation, I am also working on adjusting to glasses: Henry is not impressed. I've never worn glasses, besides a weak pair of reading glasses when working on metalsmithing or bookbinding. My left eye is weak, and has been for a while...astigmatism, which I can barely explain. It has been bugging me for a couple of years, (eye-strain, headaches, frowning.) I believe the right lens of my new glasses is crystal clear, and it's not a super strong prescription. Boring, Michelle. So anyway....glasses. Weird. It was quite chilly today, and it is most definately fall here in the mountains of North Carolina. Sweater weather. Socks and hat around the house. I had a piece at Asheville Bookworks' "Bookopolis" last weekend, and my piece was also juried into the "Capital Works" show by Eileen Wallace. There is an online catalog of the work juried into the Capital Works exhibition here. My photos are pretty weak. As a partial excuse, it was before I got my glasses... I really don't know how to take photos of books or objects. One night I experimented with a borrowed camera, borrowed tripod, in a pretty decent photo-taking room. Again, before I got the glasses. I don't love the dark background, but it is probably the best backdrop I have ever used... Anyway. I have been drawing a lot. Simplifying. Trying to think. Or maybe not think; just work. I don't quite know what I want to do right now, art-wise. And that's okay. 'Cause I'm working on it.

Make a Book Binding Cradle: Coptic book binding is a traditional form of book binding that has been around for thousands of years. Although it is fairly simple, there are some specialized tools you might find incredibly handy when binding your own books. In this Instruc…

Do you like to make your own mini albums from scratch? If you’re looking for some new ways to make books, check out this comprehensive listing of over 10 book binding techniques. You’ll…

Hi folks! So, if you were paying attention during our Mr. Moose post last month, you might remember that a few weeks ago I shared that my family had got me a day long book binding course for my bir…

Today I have been sharing a little bit of knowledge about book binding to a number of willing and inquisitive students in a full days workshop. It started with a little bit of book deconstruction, removing the covers of a tidy little Penguin paperback, The Quest for Corvo, from the 1940s and showing the innards of the spine and how mass market books are put together with the sections, sewings and glue. For me, book binding is all about precision! Precision measuring, precision marking, precision stabbing and precision sewing! This will leave you with a good looking book which will stand up to a bit of wear and tear and because you are in control of the amount of leaves you put in, what goes on the cover, how big the pages are - it can also be personalised to your own whim and fancy. I trained as an apprentice with the great Mary Bartlett down at the Dartington Craft Education Centre who instilled a great sense of technical detail and discipline as well as allowing me and my ideas to breathe into whatever bookish form they took on. One of my favourite books on this subject is by the wonderful Kojiro Ikegami and if you fancy a bit more detail, head to Amazon for a copy, you will not be disappointed. The ladies (Jill, Tracey, Ruby) learnt 3 styles of basic construction. We started with a square 5 hole Japanese stab binding, followed by a small 12 page concertina with personalised covers and then (Lily and Violet) arrived and by the end they all had a great little 5 hole pamphlet stitch with covers taken from an old book of stories for children. They looked super as a collection of 5 little mini notebooks. I predict there will be several friends/relatives who may be receiving hand made books as gifts for the foreseeable future and I think that's no bad thing. If anyone else wants some help or a workshop in book binding, just contact us at O&C HQ.

A blog with a love of vintage, Victorian, shabby, French, country decorating and detail along with altered arts, fine art, crafts and a love for God.

In my last post, I posted pictures of a few Japanese stab-bound books I had made. Since a few people were curious how to do them, I thought I'd post up a little tutorial for you guys :) There are many different ways to do a stab-bind. Since they are soft-cover you basically always use a heavy-weight paper, similar to card weight. You can either use the paper as is, and cut to size, or you can double them up, or use a full sheet to wrap entirely around your pages. There are also many different patterns to use in your binding, I will explain how to do the basic traditional method, If you want to learn more and liked this tutorial, post a comment and let me know if you want me to post the other styles, I'd be more than happy to. :) What you need: 20-50 sheets of paper (cut to same size, cut to the size you want the book to be) Heavy weight paper (2 sheets) for front and back covers Pencil, ruler, and scissors Leather hole punch or thick nail with a mallet or hammer Thread (linen thread, yarn. ribbon, embroidery thread, whichever material you prefer for the spine Yarn darning or tapestry needle Directions: 1. Choose your cover option and the paper for the text pages, decide the size of your book and the number of pages. cut all text pages to size, or start with paper cut to a standard size. Then cut two pieces of scrap paper to the same size as the text pages, reserving one for a template and the other to place underneath the text pages to protect them during handling. 2. Using your ruler and pencil, measure 1/2" (12 mm) from the left side of the template and draw a straight line. Measure 1/2" (12 mm) down from the head and 1/2" (12 mm) up from the tail, and mark these points on the line. These will be the lowest and highest sewing holes. Measure the distance between these marks along the line. Divide that distance into equal parts and mark two other points along the line. These four marks on the template show where to punch holes. Four-hole binding is traditional, though five or more holes may be used. 3. Line up the text pages, and place them on thick cardboard or a wood board, not on a self-sealing cutting mat, which would become permanently damaged. Put the template on top of the text pages. Punch the holes with the leather hole punch or nail and a small hammer. With the leather hole punch, punch only twenty pages at a time. If you punch more, the pages-and the holes-will slip out of alignment. Use the template to mark the position of the holes for each lot of twenty pages. Check that each hole goes through all the pages 4. Cut the cover paper to the same size as your text pages. Using the template, punch holes in the covers. Assemble the text pages, and put the covers in position. To bind: 5. 1 Cut a length of thread or ribbon four times the height of the binding, and thread the needle. Hold the covers and the text pages together, and enter the lowest hole on the front cover, going through to the back. Pull the needle and thread through, leaving 2" (50 mm) of thread at the tail of the book. Thread around the tail, and through the same hole from the front cover. Thread around the spine and through the same hole again, coming out the back. Enter the next hole up from the back, and come out the front of the book. 6. Thread around the spine, and enter the same hole again from the back, coming out the front. Enter the next hole from front to back. Thread around the spine, and enter the same hole again from front to back. Go up to the next, or top, hole, and enter from back to front. 7. Thread around the spine and enter the same hole from the back, coming out the front. Thread around the head, and enter the same hole from the back. Your needle should be on the front, having just come out of the top hole. Go into the second hole down from front to back. On the back, go into the third hole down from back to front. 8. Move to the lowest hole, and remove the needle. Tie a square knot directly over the hole, leaving the tail of the thread. Cut the threads 1/4" (6 mm) away from the knot. Use the needle to tuck the ends into the hole.

Binding books is a wonderful craft and you can be as creative with the binding and cover designs as you want to be. This page offers plenty of DIY ideas for taking your journals to the next level.

In a previous post on making collages with kids, I mentioned my visits to P.S. 142 and the wonderful students I worked with there. A few weeks ago, I made my last visit to two 1st grade classes, a…

How to Bind Your Own Hardback Book: The art of book binding is an ancient craft, but actually it is not very difficult to do and with almost no practice you can get really awesome results. If you are on the lookout for fun craft projects or quick ways of making nice presents and gifts…

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Last year I took a wonderful book binding class at the International Printing Museum in Torrance. It was taught by Book Artist Lucia Frias Villarreal . She has a Masters degree in bookmaking, so I feel I learned from the best! She taught us Coptic binding which was developed in Egypt as early as the second century AD. Essentially it is a stitching method where you attach your pages "signatures" to your covers. I have collected several drink coasters from Chili's and thought they would make some great starter covers for my mini books. I had all of these wonderful Vintage images I collected to use for my Summer inspired projects, but didn't end up using all of them. So I printed out my favorites and started stitching away. Traditionally you would use a special waxed string. I ended up using bakers twine which I waxed myself using a tea light! I really loved how they came out. I used some vintage book pages from damaged books for my signatures. {coptic edges} {i love this vintage Barbie image} {inside the signatures you can see the bakers twine} {the pages are from old books, a toy collectors catalog and a family satire from the 70's} I am thinkin of offering this for a class at the Vintage. They are so fun to make, and a bit challenging! -Denise

To make this book you will need: A cover sturdy enough to sew through, ideally, thick leather. Decorative thread, sturdier is better. Text block, prepared to Longstitch method: four sewing stations, evenly spaced for an even pattern, or different if you're feeling adventurous. Pierce the leather with the same sewing stations. Embellishments could be added where the stitches cross, or anywhere you like, really. Instructions:

Book Binding The string and lines in this book are interesting, they remind me of the look of some of the inception things I had seen. They also look like connections and the film entails connections. This bind maybe quite easy but I didn't like the shape of the book but this could be changed. This is very different, and very visual, I don't think it is appropriate for a research book where there is quite a lot of copy. The stitch on this book really stands out, I do like this and they particularly look good as a set however I have stitch bound before, I wanted to try something different. Like this book I could create a landscape or several, the idea of multi-layered is in the book, but again it is very visual and I feel that there wouldn't be enough written context for a research publication. Again I like the lines on this book, however I felt that it looks best like this and there is no room or need for a title, but a research document does need some kind of indication. I saw this type and I found it inspirational, and the thread looks quite vibrant. This map fold would be difficult to read, however I do like the way it opens out. I found that looking on the internet was okay but I needed to look at some book that where specific to book making and bookbinding, this would help me to see what I could achieve. And I found a few more ideas, and the in some of the books they showed how it was done which is also helpful and that meant I could adapt the methods. This concertina fold is interesting, it again provides levels. I liked this book again for the stitch bind. However when I looked into this more, there would need to be 4 sets of 4 pages to provide that many threads and to fill the spine of the book, this would provide too many pages. I saw a similar bookbinding technique in this book, I like the effect it has. And I think that they look good as a set. Also pop outs can/could be adapted and extra detail can be added. I felt that this concertina and inner concertina style is simple enough but different to a traditional bind, I also think the effect is appropriate to my content, which is about thoughts etc being on different levels, and this book bind provides different levels. This also shows that the concertina can go throng to the back and that it can be double sided, and this is allows for more content and adds another dimension. Book Packaging This case packaging is interesting, it would be appropriate to my theme as their is a 'dream machine' in a case in the film, however as I have only a book to put into the case it is too much to use as the packaging. I knew I would need two books, and I like the way this would box up the books and the shelves keep them separate. However I then found this match box . I thought that was this was interesting and the two books would fit in, plus it could be quite mysterious as it can open either way, again connecting to the theme of surreal. And so I looked for some basic instructions on how to make the box, I needed a net to see how to construct the box, I could then draw this out to make my own measurements.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. There are several ways to bind a booklet, and today I’m going to show you a simple way using some string, a needle and hole punch (optional). You can follow …

I did a combination between a flag/accordian and a piano hinge book. The steps are pretty easy! Basic Book: 1) Cover your two ends of book board 2) Take a longer piece of paper that is the same height as your text block and fold it back and forth like and accordian or fan. 3) I would recommend gluing your pages in first so that you know the width that your text block is going to be before you do the binding. You can glue them in after doing the rest of the book but you risk the covers springing back. 4) Glue in text block to the front and back cover. Make sure that the text block lines up nicely with the edge of the board. Binding: 1) You can use book cloth or leather. Cut out a good amount of your binding material (book cloth or leather) at least three inches wide. I cut out more just because then you are sure that you can make your binding wide enough for your text block. 2) Draw an inch on both ends (or however much you want to be on the covers) and at least 1/2 inch from the head and tail. 3) Now you need to determine how many hinges you want in your binding. However much you want I would draw out the appropriate measurements. This might help: 4) There are specific flaps that help cover edges. 5) So each piece will look like this: Part A Part B 6) Glue the long #2s around a dowel or some kind of rod. Make sure not to glue it to the rod otherwise you will not be able to remove it later. Hopefully it will turn out something like this or even better!

I attended the bookbinding workshop at the University, getting my monies worth before I graduate, here I was taught a few things such as the importance of grain in paper, and how to do an effective…

Old caterpillar binding. The endsheets and hinge sheets are banana paper, the wood is flame maple, linen thread sewn.

Ok, so the title might be a little misleading… we’ve actually crammed in 18 of the best Coptic Stitch (also known as the Chain Stitch or Coptic Sewing) book binding instructions and tutorials we could find on the web, along with a collection of video tutorials and many coptic-stitch related resources (PDF’s, Stitching Patterns, Photo Galleries etc) for you to get stuck in to – it took us a while to put this together but we hope it serves as a good resource for some of you out there. If you’ve got any suggestions for additional sites/resources we can include on this page then please leave a comment at the bottom of this page. We have also prepared several other collections for you: Top 15 Japanese Stab Binding Tutorials Top 10 Long Stitch Bookbinding Tutorials Top 10 Secret Belgian Binding Tutorials Top 10 Endband Tutorials Top 10 Box Making Tutorials For those a little unsure about what a the Coptic Stitch style actually is, we’ll give you a little intro: Coptic Binding by Henry Hebert Originally the coptic binding process was used by early Christians in Egypt (the Copts) some 2000 years ago and hence its name. A coptic stitch style binding (also often referred to as a Chain Stitch binding) is one that doesn’t use any glues and where the signature stitchings are generally exposed or left completely open thus allowing flexibility without sacrificing strength. Coptic stitched books generally allow the book to be opened up flat without weakening the spine or signatures. Modern glue based binding techniques are often prone to damage when opened flat and weaken with use, much quicker than books that are sewn in a coptic style fashion. Because the signature designs are normally left exposed on a chain stitch binding, many book binders decide to inject their own personal flare into the spine designs which can result in some very attractive looking books. People will often follow this style of binding for use on their journals or art sketch books. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to make a coptic stitch book using traditional bookbinding techniques then continue reading… all of the tutorials below are different in some way or another and I would strongly advise going through at least a few of them to get the best understanding of the binding processes. Enjoy 😀 #1 – Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial In this coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial, Linda Tieu takes you through how to make your own hard back book journal using very clear and concise photographs. A perfect tutorial for beginners and people looking to do a quick project. View Tutorial on favecrafts.com Tutorial Contents Materials Covering the boards Punching holes in the board Punching holes in signatures Sewing Signatures onto board Chain Stitching Signatures Stitching the board Get the Equipment You Need to do the Job Properly! (Click image for more product details) Xacto Knife Set Silk Thread Curved Needles Leather Punch See More Related Materials & Equipment #2 – The Coptic Bound Book Tutorial A personal blog tutorial by Ashley @ No Big Dill. A very detailed tutorial with high quality photographs and good descriptions of each steps from selecting the paper and folding the signatures right up to chain stitching the bindings. View Tutorial on nobigdill.com #3 – Create a Stunning Combination Coptic Long-stitch Archival Book Perhaps one of the most comprehensive coptic long-stitch bookbinding tutorials we could find on the net. 80+ high quality photographs guide the user through the process of making a hard-backed coptic long-stitch book. View Tutorial on TutsPlus.com Tutorial Contents Supplies & Materials Paper Grain Identification Cutting and gluing the cover material Preparing your signatures Making a hole-punch guide Punching holes in your signatures Punching holes in your coverboard Sewing the Signatures to the Back Cover Sewing the Remaining Signatures using the Kettle Stitch Sewing on the Front Cover Tying Square Knots on the Long Stitches #4 – The Exposed Tape Binding in 140 (ish) easy steps As the name might suggest, this tutorial from Molly Brooks is a very comprehensive photo tutorial (+ descriptions) on how to make an exposed tape bound hardback book from scratch. Whilst not technically a coptic style bound book it does cover many of the same processes so I thought I would include it within this list. Similar in many ways to a French Link Stitch bound book. ~ Thank you Molly! View Tutorial on mollybrooks.com Tutorial Contents preface tools/materials prep cut covers to size mark tape stations on the inside of each cover cut graves into boards cut slot to feed tape through cut tapes to length rough-cut cover papers / trim end papers glue cover paper to board attach tapes to front cover glue end paper to front cover press the cover under weight punch holes through signatures sew bookblock glue cover paper to back cover board attach tapes to back cover glue end paper to back cover press book under weight #5 – How to Make a Sketchbook Using Coptic Stitch Binding Isabel Moseley posted this tutorial on the The Canada Arts Connect Magazine website on how to make a Coptic Stitch-bound sketchbook with bookbinding board covers – it’s very good and well worth reading. High quality photographs depict the entire book making process from creating a piercing guide (hole punching guide) to fixing the boards and stitching the bindings (it’s assumed you’ve already selected your paper and made them into signatures). View Tutorial on canadaartsconnect.com #6 – Coptic Binding Instructions 21 instructional photographs are used with accompanying descriptions in this tutorial by Making Mini Scrapbooks on how to bind your own mini scrapbook using the traditional coptic chain stitch style. A quick tutorial for a sunday afternoon. View this tutorial on making-mini-scrapbooks.com #7 – Single Needle Chain Stitch A very informative tutorial on the entire bookbinding process with details about selecting your paper type, identifying paper grain, types of cover material you can use, punching holes, waxing your thread, sewing the signatures, finishing the book etc… you get the picture, it’s very good. 😀 View tutorial on cat-sidh.net #8 – 4-part Coptic Book Binding Tutorial Put your old cereal cartons to good use and make your very own coptic bound journal. In this 4 part book binding tutorial you’ll learn everything from making your book covers to punching holes and stitching the signatures. A great tutorial. View tutorial on hydecodesigns.com #9 – Chain or Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial On her website ‘torta gaialla’, Linda Tieu takes you through the entire coptic stitch binding process. With high quality photographs and step-by-step instructions, assuming you have the correct tools and materials, you’ll have absolutely no problems following through her tutorial. Many people who have followed the tutorial have asked questions to Linda in the comments section at the bottom, so anything that hasn’t already been clarified on the process is likely to be there. Make sure to check her site out. Thanks Linda! View Tutorial on tortagialla.com #10 – Life Abloom Journal and Coptic Stitch Tutorial MiMi Dibble’s first attempt at making a coptic bound book out of paper scraps and cardboard. Her full tutorial can be found at Tsunami Rose Designs here. A very basis, quick and dirty approach to making a coptic stitch book – perfect for children. View Tutorial on thescrapinator5000.weebly.com (take a break) Watch Our Video Playlist Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get access to HD videos of hundreds of Book Binding tutorials and reviews! #11 – Coptic Binding // A Tutorial A short tutorial on making coptic bound books by Eleanor McComb. Eleanor hosts bookbinding workshops and sells her stuff on her store at Etsy.com, she is very talented and always there to answer any questions, so if you have one feel free to leave a comment on her post and she’ll offer some advice. Thanks for sharing Eleanor! View Tutorial on eleanormccomb.com (oringal post on her old blog here) #12 – Single Sheet Coptic Stitch Tutorial For those confused as to why you might need to use a single sheet coptic stitch on any of your projects: This sewing is suited to books with board pages or other materials where you cannot fold a section. It makes a good structure for making pages out of flat objects like Perspex, metal or wood. View tutorial on boundarypress.com.au #13 – Coptic Book Binding For The Persistently Crafty A simple tutorial on coptic book binding. It’s lacking some photographs on the more detailed parts of the binding process so instead Laura uploaded a video on the entire stitching process, it’s well worth a watch. View Tutorial on autostraddle.com #14 – Directions for making a soft-covered Coptic Book A detailed tutorial on how to make a soft, leather covered coptic book. Slightly different than most of the other tutorials you can find on this page also using slightly different techniques that you might want to learn or educate yourself on. View Tutorial on Katarina Meisterin blog #15 – Bookbinding tutorial: make a coptic bound notebook Shout outs to the PaperCrafter editor, Ella Johnston, for putting together this beautifully descriptive tutorial on how to make a coptic bound notebook. You might find that her instructions will help to clarify some of the processes depicted on photographs found throughout other tutorials on this page. This tutorial itself is lacking photographs of the process. View Tutorial on papercraftermagazine.co.uk Have another break! We’ve got some more videos… Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get access to HD videos of hundreds of Book Binding tutorials and reviews! #16 – DIY: How to Coptic Bind a Chapbook This tutorial was an unusual find and the only one of its kind I could find on the internet. The process talks you through how to coptic bind printed documents into a printed book. Clear and concise diagrams really help to visualise what you’re doing. There’s also a video of the process here. View Tutorial on pw.org #17 – Binding a Metal Book with a Coptic Stitch Something a little different than using binding board for the end-boards; in this slighted dated tutorial you will be shown how to use metal sheets for the book covers. It’s a short tutorial with limited (but enough) photos. View tutorial on volcanoarts.com #18 – Make an Altered Book with Coptic Binding A text-only tutorial on how to chain-stitch a book. There are better tutorials than this one but it might have some information you’ve not found on other sites. View Tutorial on altered-book.com Additional Resources Coptic Binding on Wikipedia Coptic Stitch Gallery Coptic Binding Examples, Tutorials and Stitching Patterns on Pinterest! Coptic Stitch Lesson Plan for Teachers & Students (with diagrams) – PDF Simple Coptic Binding Tutorial by Emma Jane Hogbin – PDF 10-Page Book Scan (with diagrams) of the Coptic Stitch Binding process by CMU – PDF Coptic Stitch Simple Tutorial with Diagrams – PDF French Link Stitch / Coptic Binding Gallery by Ruth Bleakley Learn how to Coptic Stitch with Paula Tew – Workshop (UK) Kettle Stitch vs Coptic Stitch by Little Syam 1-Needle Coptic vs 2-Needle Coptic Photo Comparison by Cai Lun A Little History of the Chain Stitch by the Bookbinding Team The History of Coptic Bookbinding by Erica Crane Calculating Thread Length for Coptic Stitch Bindings by Agate Further reading Coptic binding is one of many methods of non-adhesive binding. Keith A. Smith is an author well-known for his non-adhesive bindings tutorials. We would highly recommend that you have at least one of his books in your collection: Keith A. Smith, Non-Adhesive Binding, Vol. 1: Books without Paste or Glue Keith A. Smith, Non-Adhesive Binding, Vol. 2: 1- 2- & 3-Section Sewings Keith A. Smith, Non Adhesive Binding, Vol. 3: Exposed Spine Sewings Keith A. Smith, Non-Adhesive Binding, Vol. 4: Smith’s Sewing Single Sheets Keith A. Smith, Books without Paste or Glue Please Support us on Patreon! The minimum level of contribution is only $1 per month. Pledges received from our patrons cover the editing services for our bookish podcast! Moreover, starting with the pledge level of $3, you will get a digitized vintage book about bookbinding, book history, or book arts each month from us! These pledges help iBookBinding to continue its work and bring more information about bookbinding and book arts to you! Share this page:

Amy Tan's new Signature Series book is a smashing success! Every page is eye candy and filled with inspiration from corner to corner. I had the opportunity to include a layout and a "PaigeBook" in Amy's book. I used only supplies from Amy's Ready Set Go line, naturally! HOME IS WHEREVER YOU 3 ARE Journaling says: No matter where we are in the world, whether near or far, as long as I am surrounded by my family, that is where I call "home." It's true - "home is where the heart is" and there's nowhere else I'd rather be! I love you all! How to: Start with a cream floral background. Trim squares from patterned papers, trim them into triangles, then cascade them down the top of the layout; stitch a line through each row using a matching color of thread. Tear a house page from a Daybook, back the heart and door with patterned paper and a "love" die cut, and hand stitch around the heart die cut with yellow floss. Place the house on the bottom of the page and add a photo on either side. Create a title above the photos, embellish with stickers, an accordion paper flower, journaling spot, and more. Supplies: Cardstock, patterned paper, stickers (ampersand, arrows, hearts, houses, letters, number), accordion paper flower, die cuts (arrow, flower, sentiment), date stamp, pen, adhesive: American Crafts; Floss: DMC; Ink: StazOn; Square punch: Fiskars; Sewing machine: Brother; Thread: Coats & Clark ********************************************************************** REMEMBER & SHARE THE LOVE PAIGEBOOK DAYBOOK This is a 5x7" handmade book with a copic style binding so it lays nice and flat when opened. Every signature is made with Ready Set Go patterned papers and colorful matching cardstock. I incorporated charms, knick-knacks, doodads, and Ready Set Go matte puffy stickers turned into charms into the binding. The front is embellished with a bunch of Ready Set Go stickers and embellishments. I stuck these on with major super glue to ensure they'll stay put forever and a day. I have a tendency to make books and not fill them up with anything, but perhaps I can use this book for a form of "project life" or make my own version of a "smash" book. Check out these projects and DOZENS more in Amy's book! Since I want to be Amy when I grow up, maybe one of these years I can have a Signature Series book :) A girl can dream right?!

What??? Tutorials! Tutorials are everywhere! Artists in Blogland has a monthly "Techniques on Tuesday" tutorial going on. The challenge over at Inspiration Avenue this week is to share a tutorial. Every Tuesday, Kristin Dudish has been doing a tutorial try-out and inviting others to try it too and link up. Carolyn Dube's Gelli Plate class is up and running with lots of great tutorials. So, I decided to do one as well. I love books! As you know, lately I've been loving altering old books. Recently I got a this book: and decided to try the simplest one - the X Book! This was so much fun, and easy to make. The instructions in Alisa's book are very clear and easy to follow, although I do recommend folding and cutting a blank sheet of paper before doing your project. To give you a sense of how user-friendly the book is, here is how Alisa portrays the folding and instructions: Best of all, the book is on sale right now at Amazon! You can see more on Alisa Golden's website and blog. (Here's another You Tube tutorial on the folding process, if you need some more guidance, and a "hands free" one with a slightly different take.) Of course, I had to add my own spin to it -- adding in journaling cards, inclusions and tags... Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can. Linking to Paint Party Friday, Art Journal Everyday at Balzer Designs, and Creative Everyday. Hope to get around to visiting everyone this weekend!

Before I began binding the final books for my Good Morning books project, I did a couple of test binds. I thought the decorative bind (red ...

Is your favorite book falling apart or shedding pages or its cover? It easier than you think to repair your book! Using a book or binding glue can help you reattach pages that have come loose from the book. You can also use that glue to...

These itty bitty teeny tiny little books have 320 blank pages and they are just 1¾" x 1¾" (4.5cm x 4.5cm). There is cute Japanese paper on the covers. Chain stitch binding. SOLD visit my bookbinding blog: www.myhandboundbooks.com

This step-by-step tutorial shows you exactly how to bind your own journal and create a leather wrap-around cover. You can achieve a professional finish with this project, even as a complete beginner!

I have finally completed my tutorial for the making of my Mandala Journal. I tried to keep it to three parts, but, well... you can skip certain parts if you aren't wanting to experience things like paper maché! I think I'll let the videos do the teaching, and wait for questions to come in - then, as they do, I will update this post and address them rather than try to guess at what I've left out - because I'm sure I've left some stuff out!! Part I goes over applying joint compound, or wall spackle, to your book board covers. Part II is the finishing of the spackle. Part III is the creation of the interior board pages, which are paper maché. Part IV, the final video is the actual binding process. Hopefully the hand out will help with the binding details - help yourself by printing them out. Click on image for full view and to print. For personal use only, please.

These book diagrams show the parts of the print book, different bookbinding types, and step by step instructions on how to bind a book.

Explore Immaginacija Bindery's 857 photos on Flickr!