Bookbinding tutorial:
A few months ago I learned how to create my own art journals. I thought perhaps you'd like to see the process. :)
Items you will need:
Paper, I used Bristol paper, size 9 x 12. The number of sheets depends on the size of journal you want. For this tutorial I've used all 20 sheets for a fairly good sized journal, but you can use less, you just need an even number of pages.
Craft knife and cutting surface
Bone folder
Awl
Strong needles, either bookbinding needles or heavy duty sewing needles
Waxed linen thread
Ruler and pencil
Binder clips
Items you will need:
Paper, I used Bristol paper, size 9 x 12. The number of sheets depends on the size of journal you want. For this tutorial I've used all 20 sheets for a fairly good sized journal, but you can use less, you just need an even number of pages.
Craft knife and cutting surface
Bone folder
Awl
Strong needles, either bookbinding needles or heavy duty sewing needles
Waxed linen thread
Ruler and pencil
Binder clips
(Note: the leather strapping pictured here was used in the final journal cover, not in the making of the journal itself.)
To begin, decide on the size you want the journal to be. I chose a 9 x 6, so I didn't need to cut the paper. If you choose a size wherein the paper needs to be cut, be sure to measure and cut with a knife not scissors. You want the cut pieces to be twice the size of the finished journal pages. For example, my 9 x 12 paper is perfect for my finished size of a 9 x 6 journal.
Carefully fold each page in half using the bone folder.
Next, we are going to determine how many holes need to be punched into the paper. We want eight sewing stations, one at 1/2" from each edge, then at 1" intervals in between. The picture is the best way to understand what I mean. Carefully measure these sewing stations and mark with your pencil. Using the awl, punch holes in the first paper at each mark as shown.
Carefully fold each page in half using the bone folder.
Next, we are going to determine how many holes need to be punched into the paper. We want eight sewing stations, one at 1/2" from each edge, then at 1" intervals in between. The picture is the best way to understand what I mean. Carefully measure these sewing stations and mark with your pencil. Using the awl, punch holes in the first paper at each mark as shown.
We want to do this with all the pages, but no need to measure each time. Simply place the first page (with the holes already punched) inside the second page. Hold them tightly together and punch through the first page holes into the second page. Now you have your first 'signature' completed.
Take one of these pages and use it as your template to punch holes in the third page, use the third page to punch holes into the fourth page, etc. When you have all the holes punched in all the pages, nest two pages together to form signatures.
Take one of these pages and use it as your template to punch holes in the third page, use the third page to punch holes into the fourth page, etc. When you have all the holes punched in all the pages, nest two pages together to form signatures.
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Now we will begin sewing the signatures together.
Begin by measuring out the amount of thread you will need. The formula is this: the number of signatures you have (10) times the length of the signatures (9") plus one extra (9"). The easiest way to do this is to lay the signatures down (like in the left picture above), take your thread across the top, eleven times. This will give you a rather long piece of thread (approximately 100"). Cut the thread at that point, and thread your needle. If there is a lot of wax on the thread, pull it all the way through the needle one time to remove the excess wax. Re-thread your needle.
Set all but one signature to the side. Hold one signature in your hand and push your needle through the top hole (through both pages). Leave about 2" and tape down with masking, scotch, or washi tape.
Continue to sew this signature by simply going in and out of each hole as shown in the picture below.
Begin by measuring out the amount of thread you will need. The formula is this: the number of signatures you have (10) times the length of the signatures (9") plus one extra (9"). The easiest way to do this is to lay the signatures down (like in the left picture above), take your thread across the top, eleven times. This will give you a rather long piece of thread (approximately 100"). Cut the thread at that point, and thread your needle. If there is a lot of wax on the thread, pull it all the way through the needle one time to remove the excess wax. Re-thread your needle.
Set all but one signature to the side. Hold one signature in your hand and push your needle through the top hole (through both pages). Leave about 2" and tape down with masking, scotch, or washi tape.
Continue to sew this signature by simply going in and out of each hole as shown in the picture below.
Now the fun part begins. Place the second signature against the first one. Use two binder clips to hold them securely together, leaving the opening to the second signature available for sewing. Put your needle in through the bottom hole of the second signature, pull through. Put your needle back through the second hole of the second signature and pull through. Now, put the needle through the thread on the first signature as shown in the picture below.
Pull the thread tightly (actually, you should pull the thread tightly continually throughout the entire process).
Now put the needle through the third hole of the second signature, and come back up through the fourth hole. Again, put the needle through the thread of the first signature as shown below.
Now put the needle through the third hole of the second signature, and come back up through the fourth hole. Again, put the needle through the thread of the first signature as shown below.
Notice the criss/cross pattern that is beginning to form.
Continue doing this until you reach the top of the book. When you bring the thread out the top hole of the second signature, stop and tie the two available threads together: the one still in the needle and the one being held down by tape. Make a nice double knot and then tape the short thread back down.
Take your third signature and bind it to the first two using binder clips, but allowing the sewing section to be open and available for sewing.
Put your needle through the top hole of the third signature and then back up through the second hole. Put your needle through the thread of the second signature. This is important: you do not want to go through both threads from the first and second signature and you don't want to go through the thread from the first signature. Carefully notice which thread is only in the second signature and go through that one.
Continue doing this until you reach the top of the book. When you bring the thread out the top hole of the second signature, stop and tie the two available threads together: the one still in the needle and the one being held down by tape. Make a nice double knot and then tape the short thread back down.
Take your third signature and bind it to the first two using binder clips, but allowing the sewing section to be open and available for sewing.
Put your needle through the top hole of the third signature and then back up through the second hole. Put your needle through the thread of the second signature. This is important: you do not want to go through both threads from the first and second signature and you don't want to go through the thread from the first signature. Carefully notice which thread is only in the second signature and go through that one.
Continue sewing down the page until you get to the bottom. Now instead of tying a knot, take your needle and put in between signatures one and two. Pull tightly then bind the fourth signature with the binder clips and continue sewing the same as before. Remember to only go through the thread of the previous signature as shown in the pictures below.
If you are confused about what to do at the top (or bottom) of each page, perhaps you can zoom in on these pictures to see what it looks like.
When you have all the signatures sewn together, it should look something like this:
When you have all the signatures sewn together, it should look something like this:
To finish your book, pull the needle through the last hole in the final signature, push it through the previous two signatures as you've done before, but this time, push the needle back through the same hole you just came out of in the final signature. Now the thread will be inside the book. Tie a knot using the final loop in the final signature as pictured below.
After you tie a double knot, go ahead and cut the excess thread off at about 1/2 inch. I usually put masking tape over my folds which will hold this tape down. Otherwise, you could find a way to work it into your journal design for that page when you get to it.
Congratulations your book is now finished. You've made your own art journal and it's all ready to create your beautiful mixed media, watercolor, or other art projects. Or, you could give it away as a gift as I have done several times!
But first, make a beautiful cover for your book using canvas or denim or some other fabric, or whatever your imaginations tells you to do!
Congratulations your book is now finished. You've made your own art journal and it's all ready to create your beautiful mixed media, watercolor, or other art projects. Or, you could give it away as a gift as I have done several times!
But first, make a beautiful cover for your book using canvas or denim or some other fabric, or whatever your imaginations tells you to do!