Curious about Bookbinding?

The last couple of months have been a time for us to all slow down. We’re keeping our hands busy with slow paced, soothing crafts like embroidery and macrame, which we love. 

But we'd also like to introduce you to one of our favorite slow-paced, very rewarding, often off-the-radar crafts: bookbinding.

If you love stationery, pretty papers, and making things, chances are you’ll love it. If you need any more convincing, just take a look at these drool-worthy handmade books for inspiration. 

bookbinding rainbow

How to make books

bookbinding inspiration

There’s so many different binding stitches out there that we're sure you'll want to try more than one! Here are a few:   

 

Pamphlet Stitch: 

This style of bookbinding is the quickest and easiest. It uses just one signature (which is a group of sheets folded in half to be worked into the binding as a unit) sewn in with a running stitch. Much like a pamphlet with staples, but a stitch is put in place instead. 

Pamphlet stitch book

Japanese Stitch: 

This style is useful if you want to bind single sheets of paper (no paper folding or signatures needed). It's often combined with decorative stitching along the spine. 

 

Coptic Stitch: 

This is the technique we taught in our Intro to Bookbinding Class. Signatures are sewn through their folds then sewn through two loose covers with a chain-like stitch across the spine. 

Ready to dive in yet??

Making your own handstitched book is just part one of the creativity involved -- part two is filling it with writing, sketching, or even paintings!

bookbinding class

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2 comments

You know what? I absolutely agree with you when you pointed out that it’s better to opt for Japanese stitch if we just want to include one piece of paper. My cousin has been planning for a small hi-tea party with her friends next week and she wants to create a beautiful menu card. I’ll ask her to consider this option so she’ll make the right installation later. http://www.baddocks.com.au/

Amy Saunders

I can’t wait to take this class next time I visit Portland!

Claire Prynne

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