Handmade books for those that I cherish

I can finally share some books that I made for Christmas. I hand sewed these books, made covers with book cloth and decorated with hand tooling. I gave these to Tash and my Dad. Nothing beats a handmade gift.

Machine-made Perfect Binding

 

I have made perfect bindings by hand before - by collating the pages and adhering them together with adhesive and a brush. Yesterday, I had the privilege of using machines to make a perfect binding (using the process that all of those book publishers out there use). We used machines to cut, fold and bind the pages. Lots of fun!

Book repair: my childhood dictionary

I have been using this dictionary since primary school - no wonder it has been falling apart. Note the contact cover (a lot of my books were covered in this).

My trusty old dictionary has now had a make-over. I have repaired the binding, which was straightforward. All I had to do was adhere the pages back in place, as this book is a perfect binding. I have also re-covered it with red book cloth. 

The final touch was some hand tooling with foil. I used different fonts to spell out 'dictionary' on the spine. 

I am very pleased with the results and glad that I can use this book for many years to come. What do you think?

Book repair: Look Boys! One Hand!

Tash and I found this book at a market and we both thought the cover was adorable. We also collect books relating to photography so it was a great find.

The spine was missing but that did not deter us - I just made a new one. As you can see from the images, I constructed a new spine out of card and book cloth. An easy task once you know what you are doing.

More case bindings...

I am making more books this week. Case bindings, in a range of formats. I am sewing the text blocks together using french sewing or on tapes. The headbands are machine made but add an extra something. Cute I think.

I have recently learnt how to decorate the covers by hand tooling with foil. The aim is to make a few books that I can decorate and give for Christmas. Fingers crossed that they work....

a different version of the case binding

This book was made using the case binding technique, which is a common style of bookbinding. The sections of pages are sewn together before end papers and a hard cover are attached. I have made a few of these - usually the case (cover) is in one piece. However, this one differs slightly as the front and back boards, which are covered in paper, are adhered to the cloth spine. The end bands were handmade using a piece of ribbon and cord, and then adhered on. Finally a bookmark was attached. What do you think?

Giving new life to French Syntax: Book Repair Part 2

The repairs are well underway. Before rebinding could commence, some of the pages needed some tender loving care. Tears were repaired with tissue - some imagination was required when putting some of the sections (groups of pages) together as there were pages missing. The next stage was the rebinding. I decided to use the original holes (from the original sewing) and sewed the text block back together on tapes.

As mentioned in the earlier post on this project, Giving new life to French Syntax: Book Repair Part 1, the cover was detached. I repaired the spine by creating a hollow and inserting some new book cloth under the original book cover. The original cover was the re-attached to the repaired text block using the tapes, linen and adhesive. The end papers were tipped (glued) back in place.

The blue colour of the new cloth is somewhat brighter than the original so I am planning on using some acrylic paint to tone it down a little and make the repairs a little less obvious. The book is once again sturdy enough for use. In addition, there is no longer a risk of losing more pages as the loose ones are now back where they belong.

Although this book has been repaired, the integrity of the original is still in place as original materials have been used wherever possible. I just love this old book. Here is another excerpt of text that I find interesting and adorable.

Making decorated books, coptic style...

This book was made using a double coptic stitch technique, using two needles. Following that, I practiced edge decoration. The splatter pattern was achieved using pen inks. Note to self for next time - watch out for your clothes while you are splattering (or wear an apron).

Elke's Books

I am currently expanding my skills and exploring the arts of bookbinding and book restoration, under the tutelage of Elke Ahokas. She has studied in Australia and Finland, has displayed her books in a range of exhibitions, and offers the services of bookbinding and book repair. Elke has made some amazing books - I suggest you check out her website.

Image : Design and bookbinding by Elke Ahokas

Coptic headbands

This is a book I made recently with coptic headbands, which is a continuous stitch pattern from boards (covers) and across the textblock (pages).

Giving new life to French Syntax: Book Repair Part 1

Tash bought this poor old book at a book fair. It has been through the wars - that is a water war. As you can see, there is a considerable amount of staining to the bottom portion of the book as a result of water damage. The binding is also in a poor condition - the cover is detached and there are numerous loose pages.

I cannot read or speak French, but that does not mean that I cannot enjoy this book. In addition, I think that the damage just adds character. It tells a story. And there are some great sections of text (in English) that make me smile - like the excerpt above.

I am in the process of repairing the book in order to preserve it so that other people can enjoy it for years to come. So far, I have taken down the book (unbound it) and have started to repair some of the torn pages and sections (groups of pages). The next steps include rebinding and re-attaching the cover. I could make new covers, but I think the damaged original covers should be repaired and used as they add a flavour of quirkiness.

Repairing books is so much fun!

Japanese style bindings

Japanese style bindings are easy if you know how to sew. Try grouping together some handmade paper or the like and stitching the spine in a style similar to those shown here.

Deconstruction / Reconstruction

This is the conservator in me. I have always had mixed feelings about artists who reinvent books for the purpose of their craft. Is it sacrilegious? Is it art?
But I have come around. What is the point of having books on the back of your bookshelf if you are never going to enjoy them? I say - deconstruct / reconstruct so that your books can be seen, used and enjoyed.
This poor old book, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne was hiding on my shelf. The binding was unstable, the covers detached. Sections were missing from the text block, pages discoloured and folded. Not to mention the pest damage.
So I have given it new life. The detached covers were used to create a notebook that will now be loved. I have sewn the original covers to a new text block using double cords. Don't worry, the original pages will not be ignored. Not sure what I will do with them yet....