February Book Project
I chose the Long Stitch or "limp binding" for my February bookbinding adventure. As I walked to Dick Blick last month, I passed a leather store (for shoemakers) and bought some leather scraps. It is a sturdy leather - perfect for this structure.
For my first book, which is always lots of trial and error, I chose the smallest scrap. The leather was easy to cut with my Olfa X-acto knife and to punch holes with my standard awl. I searched all of my books, finding the best instructions in Cover to Cover by Shereen LaPlantz and watched YouTube videos to learn more.
The book is 5 3/4 by 4 1/4 inches - with 16 folios of card stock in 4 signatures. I used LaPlantz's 6 hole pattern for my stitching, but look forward to using other patterns on future books.
This book will be used for all of my research notes. In addition, I'm adding stitching patterns to the pages by sewing them with a regular needle and thread.
I envision 12 prototype books full of my research notes by the end of the year.
Next month I'm planning to make a flag book!
Comments
This does not look like a prototype! It is a great looking book - really stylish.
Posted by: Dan Kent | February 5, 2013 9:05 PM
Wonderful!! Looks great!
Posted by: teri Flemal | February 5, 2013 10:33 PM
Wow! Very impressive looking book. What a great project.
Posted by: Jane A | February 6, 2013 6:17 AM
I love artist books! and this one is just wonderful. LaPlantz' book is excellent. Do you also have Handmade Books by Kathy Blake? also excellent. I use both for reference. And there's a great Lark book 500 Artist Books, just images, but what great ideas in there. I plan on following your adventures in bookmaking.
Posted by: Liz Adams | February 6, 2013 10:55 AM
Beautifully done. It looks like a book that was gifted to my be a friend actually. Another friend has gifted me a bunch of leather scraps and I've been thinking about using it for a journal cover too, be it in a different way. I've never worked with leather before so it should be interesting. Nice that you are trying out these techniques.
Posted by: Caatje | February 8, 2013 10:22 AM
I love this book, Shirley. What a clever idea to make the cotton booking stitching styles in it.
Posted by: Robyn Sinclair | February 12, 2013 6:18 AM
NIFTY, Shirley!
Posted by: Cathy Johnson (Kate) | February 13, 2013 9:05 AM