Creating our own sketchbook with an arrangement of a variety of papers and a personalized cover
Creating your own book is a form of art, and it can take various approaches. This approach we used in class sews a variety of papers together, combines them into a sketchbook, and will be a tool to explore mediums on different surfaces.
Materials
A variety of paper to create a diversity of surfaces to experiment on.
Bone Folder
Pricker
Binder clips
A piece of cardboard with measures (1.5 in and 0.5 in) in sequence, indicating where the holes will be.
Wax Thread
Curved needle
Two pieces of 5x7 cardboard
Scissors
Bookbinding glue
Wide brush
Xacto Knife
Step 1: Picking the paper.
Having a variety of surfaces and colors is an important part of material exploration.
For this book, we will arrange four signatures. Signatures are a group of pages bundled together. Using the different types of paper on hand, you can create a pattern of how these signatures will be displayed on the side.
You may arrange the pages however you prefer, making sure they are the same amount in each signature. In this case, we had 20 pieces of paper spread out in groups of 5 for our four signatures.
Step 2: Folding
Grab each sheet individually in portrait orientation and fold them horizontally. You can use the bone folder to help you make crisp folds. Keep all groups together as you fold them to maintain order. Leave the sheet you want for the outside of your signature covering the whole group.
You can reinforce the folds by folding all groups together again.
Step 3: Making holes.
Create a ruler template that consists of marked points of 1 inch and 0.5 inches in sequence that goes along the whole length of the book. Using the template aligned with the side of the folded line of each sheet, puncture holes with the pricker in the indicated points.
Make sure to always hold the ruler template on the same direction for each sheet and aligned them back in order.
Step 4: Sew-binding.
Once you have all sheets punctured and aligned together on their signature groups it is time to sew them together. You will need a waxed thread and a curved needle along with some scissors. Pass the thread through the needle and leave some of it hanging.
Use the clip binders hold on the sides of the signatures, so that all pages stay together while you sew.
Grabbing the thread, measure four times the length of the book, one for each signature. Cut the thread and make a knot at the other end, leaving about 1.5 inches hanging at the end.
Grab one of the signature groups and pass the thread through the outside of the signature fold inwards.
Step 5: Sew-Binding pattern.
Fo Once the thread is inside the fold, go to the next hole and when you are out, go inwards again. Repeat the process until the last hole.
Place the next signature next to the already sew one, and make sure the holes are aligned. Pass the needle through the hole next to the last sew hole, making sure you puncture from the outside towards the inside middle.
Once you get to the next hole, instead of going back in, pass the thread through the loop that the other signature has. Make sure to pass it over and in and not from below, just like in the 4th picture. Once you can see a cross forming enter through the next hole, pay attention to the holes, and try not to skip any.
Repeat this pattern until you get to the last hole and then align the next signature and repeat the process again. Make sure that when you get to the third signature, you hook the thread coming from the second signature and not the first one.
Step 6: Cutting the thread.
Once you have finished sewing all the holes and all signatures are together, pass the thread through the first hole you started with, the one with the knot. Pass it from the outside to the inside middle. Once it is inside tie it with the knot excess you left at the beginning.
Once you have a secured knot you can cut the thread and let it hang since it will be covered by the cover of the book.
Step 7: Results of the bookbinding
The finished sew-binding process should look like this. You can use the clip binders to hold all of it together, so the pages stay flat.
Step 8: Creating a cover design.
This part of the process is personal decision. You may choose any medium and any imagery to decorate the cover and the back. The measurements are 5x7 and you will need the two pieces of 5x7 cardboard. For mine I decided on creating a collage with different textures of paper.
Step 9: Gluing covers
For this step you will need some glue, the one recommended is a glue specific to bookbinding. Create a puddle with aa good amount of glue. Using a wide brush spread the glue to the edges of the piece of cardboard. Place the cardboard facing down on you election of cover. Make sure to press a little and using the bone folder take away any bubbles inside.
Place some weight on the cover while it dries. Using an xacto knife cut off any excess from the cover. Think about saving the residual paper to add to any project in the future.
Step 10: Putting all together.
Once you have the back and the cover done you will need more glue and the brush to glue the covers and the book together. Glue the naked side of the cardboard with glue, remember to cover all edges. Grabbing the first page on the beginning of the book, attach it to the glued cardboard. Press the pages flat against the cardboard using the bone folder. Repeat the same process on the back of the book. Once both covers are attached with the signatures use the binder clips to press everything together.
Bookbinding and its applications.
This activity will allow students to manage finer motor skills, as well as understand what the process of an artisan is. Creating a book of your own can make the work you put in it even more personal. This activity is great for an age range of 4th graders and up. You can also apply this to younger ages, just making sure it is a small group in which you can provide more assistance.
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