Basic Japanese Stab Binding

This video walks you through one of the easiest forms of bookbinding. You can get fancy with thread and paper, but really all you need is a cardstock-type paper for the cover, printer paper for the inside, and awl and needle, and embroidery thread. Enjoy!

Also check out this other video by the same person, this time with some fancier stitches that leave a cool pattern on the bound edge of the book!

video credit: @SeaLemonDIY

Simple Saddle Stitch

In this video, you will make a simple saddle stitch book that has one section of paper, bound to a cover. This is simplicity itself and is super fun to do with so many materials. I’ve seen it done with brown paper bags (which are fun to draw on with crayons), fabric, cardboard, scratch art paper…anything that you can fold and get a needle through. You will need a thick cover paper, any kind of inside paper, embroidery thread, needle, bone folder, and an awl.

video credit: @SeaLemonDIY

Find more ideas for a saddle stitch on my pinterest board

One Page Books - no sewing, no glue

This video will show you how to fold a one-page book. The thing I love about these books is that you can make and fill them in one afternoon. They are my favorite thing to leave at the Palmer Tiny Art Gallery. This is a great format for a zine. I also love how you can work on them in a flat sheet.

Video credit: @yourturngames7158

Here is a video of one of my National Geographic remake zines.

Here is a funny (adultish, some swearing) song about one-page books.

Here is an IG post that really shows how the book looks unfolded vs. folded. And the art is so lovely.

Explosion Book - no sewing, some origami :)

This has been my latest bookmaking obsession. I loooove these explosion books. This video is great because she uses different colored paper so you can easily see how the paper attach to form the whole book. You will need paper of any size and kind, a glue stick (don’t use liquid glue on this one), and a bone folder. Warning: It takes a long time to fill these books!

Video credit: @anniemeuleners9542

Here is a video that uses cut up paintings to fill an explosion book.

Coptic Binding - Take it up a notch!

This is the next level in bookbinding, but still doable. With this video, you’ll be sewing as well as covering and glueing a front and back cover. You can get book board from Amazon or a local art supply place. I also use…cereal boxes. Book board is, of course, thicker and stronger, but if I’m just making a little notebook for myself, I usually use cereal boxes, cut into the shape I want, covered by fabric or craft paper of some kind. I recommend starting with scrapbook paper you can find at any WalMart or Michael’s (fabric can be finicky and get wrinkled).

You’ll notice that her book seems very sturdy and your first will be…not sturdy. Probably a bit wiggly in fact. I have found that the only cure for that is to keep practicing. Over time your stitching becomes tighter. I also recommend using binder clips to hold the sections and the cover together while you stitch.

Video credit: @BooksBindFaye

From here you can probably find anything else you’re interested in on your own. There are all sorts of interesting coptic-type stitches you can do. There is an endless list of materials you can use. There are also videos out there that show how to do case binding, which is how your store-bought hardcover books are bound (but better). I don’t include any here because if you’ve gotten to that level, you’ve dedicated quite a bit of time and money and materials to your new hobby and found better expertise than I can offer.

I love all things bookbinding and have amassed a collection of IG accounts, pinterest boards, and other resources. Here is a list:

I can’t watch enough of this IG account, @thatsmybookshelf, in which the creator rebinds her favorite books!

Theeee cutest tiny books can be found on @ggoomiz, a IG account with lovely coptic stitching.

Very interesting alternative materials are used by @yvettejah. Her combination of bookbinding, weaving, and origami is fascinating.

Alaskan bookbinders, @travelboundbooks, who sometimes contribute to the Palmer Tiny Art Gallery! Here is their website.

At Bunnell Street Art Center in Homer, there was a wonderful exhibit that combined found objects and bookbinding. You can read about and listen to artist talks with the artists Margo Klass and Ree Nancarrow.

Can your books be pop-up books? Yes!

I love a book you can stuff things into.

And of course, check out more on my bookbinding pinterest board.

Basic bookbinding materials

I would stay away from “starter” kits. They are usually low quality. Here is what I have bought/used in the past:

This bone folder.

An awl - this one is my new favorite. Your awl should be lightweight and fit nicely into your hand. Stay away from heavy duty leather awls.

Elmer’s glue (really!) with a paper plate and an old, thick paintbrush. There is, of course, official bookbinding glue, but I find Elmer’s white glue mixed with a tiny bit of water perfect.

Any embroidery thread and needles are sufficient for beginning bookbinding.

For tighter, stronger coptic (or case binding) stitches, use waxed thread. Alternatively, you can wax your own thread with this tool. I find buying the waxed thread is higher quality, but if you just love that thread color…

You can also try these curved needles. Some people find them easier to use when doing a coptic binding. I find them painful (haha). You can also heat up a regular needle over a gas range and bend it with pliers.

You can use book board or any type of cardboard - it’s going to be covered, so it doesn’t really matter! Cereal board is fine but thin, book board is strong and thick, and corrugated cardboard can warp and crush but is super thick and kind of fun to use as an alternative material.

If you want to use fabric, there are tutorials for how to use any kind, but also you can use bookbinding fabric, which is a big tougher than regular fabric. It’s got a smooth side that is easily glued without the glue coming through the fibers. I’ve used both. Bookbinding fabric is easier to use, but regular fabric provides more variety.

Of course you need paper, and that is it’s own rabbit hole that I won’t be going down here. Start with printer paper and then explore your local craft store (like Michael’s or similar) and then explore your local fine art supply store (in Anchorage: Blaine’s). See what feels nice in your fingers, what folds easily, what type of surface on which you want to draw or paint or glue.