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Bookbinding is a Happy Place
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items Just a few tools for bookbinding may already be in your house--something to make holes in paper, a ruler, a utility knife, needle & thread, etc.--but if you dive a little deeper into the craft, you may enjoy a few extras.
Sections
3
Bookbinding Basics
Enjoyable Bookbinding Extras
Learn Bookbinding from Experts
Bookbinding Basics
Yes, you could use the back of a plastic knife, but truly, a bone folder like this one is sturdy and is shaped just right for creasing paper, smoothing cloth on a cover, tucking in corners, and so on.
VENCINK Genuine Bone Folder
Lineco's glue is seen in nearly every bookbinding tutorial on YouTube. This is the perfect “starter” glue for you. Their “Books by Hand” glue is a step above.
LINECO Neutral pH Adhesive for Bookbinding & Crafts
Frankly, any old brush will do--one for wide areas of glue and one for fussy little places, but if you have no brushes, these are just like the specialty ones sold for bookbinding.
Small Round Paint Brushes
If you don't have a small array of craft needles, these will serve admirably. Note: That curved needle? Fabulous for binding a book with a coptic stitch. Also fabulous for drawing blood. Blunt the needle with a file or sandpaper.
Dritz Repair Hand Needles, Assorted (7-Count)
This thread isn't a recommendation. It's what I happen to have for reasons I can't remember, but it does work well for bookbinding. You can use button/carpet thread, embroidery thread, crochet thread, or even waxed tooth floss.
Loom Warp Thread
Either you buy waxed thread (expensive) or you use beeswax through which to run your thread, twine, etc. to keep it from tangling, raveling, and making a pest of itself. It's a very old, tried-and-true method used for all kinds of sewing.
Beeswax Bars 6 oz - 100% Pure (6 x 1 oz)
Scissors won't quite do it when cutting down a pile of paper. I have a utility knife bought in the local hardware store, but this one should do the trick as will others like it.
Retractable Utility Knife with 10 SK5 Blades
Cutting with a utility knife requires a steel ruler, which should have both inches & centimeters, and a cork backing to make it non-slip.
18-Inch Stainless Steel Ruler with Cork Base
If you're cutting with knife or rotary cutter, you need a self-healing mat. Period.
Self Healing 12x18in Double Sided Cutting Mat
I've had awls for quite a while, but if I were in the market for them, this set of three would be my choice. Sometimes you need a skinny awl and sometimes you need a thicker one.
3 Pack Scratch Awl Tool with Wooden Handle
What if you have a beautiful fabric that would be great as book cloth? Iron-on fusible interfacing will strengthen fabric, keep it from fraying, and make the world your design oyster when crafting your own books.
Make your own book cloth with Pellon 15" x 3yd. Fusible Lightweight Interfacing
Heat N Bond is another excellent choice for making book cloth.
Heat N Bond® Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing, Medium
Enjoyable Bookbinding Extras
You don't necessarily need these bookbinding items, but they're kind of nice to have.
A corner punch isn't necessary, but if you're binding a journal, curved corners are a lovely touch.
3 in 1 Corner Rounder Punch, 4mm, 7mm, 10mm
I debated whether to place this in the basics list or here in the extras list since a person can clamp together two pieces of wood for the same effect. If you have neither clamps nor wood, then this is for you.
Wooden Book Press for DIY Bookbinding
If you don't have mat board or any other kind of compressed cardboard for book covers, you'll need a supply of book board.
20 Pcs Book Board 12" x 12"80PT)
Learn Bookbinding from Experts
I learned the bare basics of bookbinding from a couple books, but without seeing someone performing all the steps, I ended up lost. Here's a list of YouTubers who have utterly upped my game and will likely do the same for you.
Chanel has taught me so much, the most enjoyable video being of her visit to a booksmithing school in Colorado.
Bitter Melon Bindery
Dennis teaches, not just how to make special books, but occasionally also delves into making your own tools.
Four Keys Book Arts
Ido Agassi, a booksmith par excellence, is a pleasure to watch and listen to, someone to teach us all the ins and outs of bookbinding, and how to do it with very little equipment.
Ido Agassi
Hands down, Nik is one of my favorite booksmiths, not just because she has so much to teach, but also because she's fun and funny.
Nik the Booksmith
I still don't know his name, but his ideas are excellent, including a homemade book plough.
Page Odyssey
Jennifer somehow always makes her viewers happy, maybe because she has bookbinding hints and tips, but probably because she's just one of those people who gives everyone around her a lift.
Sea Lemon
Join Macrina and her three apprentice cats in South Africa to learn how they view booksmithing and binding one's own books.
Annesi Bindings
If you love books, do NOT miss Adam Savage (of Mythbusters fame) touring the American Bookbinders Museum in San Francisco. Each tool and machine is fascinating to see and is knowledgably described.
Adam Savage Learns How Old Books Were Made!