I finished these two books this week, following Ali Manning’s instructions in her Handmade Book Club for the “slim case binding.” The colors are subdued and quiet. They give a feeling of peace when I pick up the books. I love how they turned out. I’ve wanted to use this eco-printed silk noil as a book cover for a long time. I don’t know how it will hold up, seems it might not take a lot of wear and tear.
It has taken a lot of skill development (eco-printing, making my own book cloth, using wheat paste, cutting and sanding bookboard, case binding techniques) and some courage (overcoming procrastination, which is a sign of fear!). But they are done. My next-level challenge is filling these books.
Some photos of the many steps in the process:
Making bookcloth. Fabric is laid face up on a glued-out piece of kozo paper. Then this assemblage is laid face down on an acrylic sheet and left to dry. It peels off easily and is then cut to size. Single signature, made of torn-down piece of Bockingford water color paper, and a Canson Mi-Tientes end sheet, with a reinforcing piece of book cloth. Pamphlet-stitched, five holes. Later, the black bookcloth is glued down to the end sheet.Inside of case, showing the channel and glued-down bookcloth over spine. (My turnouts are too narrow.) In a later step, to assemble the book, the signature’s end sheets are glued to the board. Outside of case. Faint pencil marks show where fabric will go to completely cover the boards in the next step.Front cover of books. The second book (at top) was gaping open, but it has since calmed down after weighting. Back cover of books.
Hi Sylvia, I don’t see any right now, but I am worried about some forming. I tried to make sure there was adequate glue on all the edges, especially the edges showing on the covers.
That was quite an impressive undertaking. Good for you to have the determination and stamina to complete those beautiful books.
Thank you, Cheryl!
do you see any raveling on the sides of the eco printed cloth?
Hi Sylvia, I don’t see any right now, but I am worried about some forming. I tried to make sure there was adequate glue on all the edges, especially the edges showing on the covers.