... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

I mentioned to another FPN member that one day I'd like to learn how to make my own journal. She pointed me to this thread. All I can say is WOW!!!

 

The beauty, the shared knowledge ... WOW!

 

Thank you TMLee for starting this wonderful thread! It will take me awhile to read through it and I know that I'll be back to view it again and again!

 

Most welcomed 'melissa59'.

All the best on your coming endeavor.

:-)

[fncll]

The Japanese multi-section binding I used in my version of _The Book of Tea_ (see https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=17769 ), retchoso (there should be a macron in that) suggests an interesting alternative technique, stacking all the signatures and using a chisel to make notches.

 

Since I can't see the binding in the picture of _The Book of Tea_, is it possible you could share a little more info on the multi-section binding method you are referring to?

[TMLee]

Post deleted

Edited June 7, 2012 by TMLee

[TMLee]

HOW I FOLD ONE FOLIO

 

 

 

Edited June 7, 2012 by TMLee

[timjthomas]

Thank you!

[DanielCoffey]

For those asking about the NATURALIS paper, they apparently have a UK stockist... http://www.trg.co.uk/papermakers/naturalis.html but I have no idea of their prices.

 

I have also done a bit of searching around for info on why the Keith Smith books are so pricey, especially if you look on Amazon marketplace for example.

 

It seems that Keith Smith has used a private publisher to print and distribute his books which ship from the USA at THIS website. It means that he controls the price of the book to ensure he gets a fair slice of the money. He charges either $30 or $35 depending on which one you buy.

 

They are not stocked at any other distributor so Amazon have not been given permission to sell them. The Amazon Marketplace resellers buy books from Keith Smith (probably to order when you request a copy) for the $30 and then re-list them at (in the UK) around £40 which is making an obscene markup. If anyone ever sells a second-hand copy then the resellers snap it up and realist it at a penny under their "new" price, even if it is well worn and annotated.

 

There are a couple of non-Amazon places in the EU who will order the Keith Smith books on your behalf and seem to charge a somewhat fairer price for them ($1 = £1) but even so you may be better ordering direct from Keith Smith and paying the International postage since books are zero-rated for VAT in the UK.

[TMLee]

For those asking about the NATURALIS paper, they apparently have a UK stockist... http://www.trg.co.uk/papermakers/naturalis.html but I have no idea of their prices.

 

I have also done a bit of searching around for info on why the Keith Smith books are so pricey, especially if you look on Amazon marketplace for example.

 

It seems that Keith Smith has used a private publisher to print and distribute his books which ship from the USA at THIS website. It means that he controls the price of the book to ensure he gets a fair slice of the money. He charges either $30 or $35 depending on which one you buy.

 

They are not stocked at any other distributor so Amazon have not been given permission to sell them. The Amazon Marketplace resellers buy books from Keith Smith (probably to order when you request a copy) for the $30 and then re-list them at (in the UK) around £40 which is making an obscene markup. If anyone ever sells a second-hand copy then the resellers snap it up and realist it at a penny under their "new" price, even if it is well worn and annotated.

 

There are a couple of non-Amazon places in the EU who will order the Keith Smith books on your behalf and seem to charge a somewhat fairer price for them ($1 = £1) but even so you may be better ordering direct from Keith Smith and paying the International postage since books are zero-rated for VAT in the UK.

 

 

Thats hopeful,

best of luck in getting your hands on them folks

[TMLee]

I finally completed this journal with the DIY Bookcloth, using "Heat n Bond" on cotton fabric.

 

This is Journal #92F "Basic Black - DIY Bookcloth"

 

This journal has the traditional cotton fabric feel to it.

Except that it has a layer of Heat n Bond underneath it.

So it feels slightly 'padded' - which adds to the tactile experience.

 

Pics taken with an AURORA Optima Green Auroloide <Factory Italic>

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/012.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/019.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/017.jpg

 

I chose a lime green flyleaf scheme

with matching 'sage' waxed linen thread.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/018.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/020.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/015.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/016.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/014.jpg

 

The inktestpage written with a STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> Stub and filled with Pelikan Brilliant Brown ink.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/021.jpg

 

The Colophon

written with a FABER CASTELL E-motion <F> DIY Stub

and dipped in DIAMINE Monaco red,

and

a LAMY Safari <F> DIY Stubbed filled with NOODLER's Black.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/023.jpg

 

Trying out some italic handwriting...

Failed to centralize the writing... :hmm1:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/024.jpg

 

Paper is NACHI Light Grey , 124gsm, Smooth

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2092%20Basic%20Black/Journal%2092F%20Basic%20Black%20DIY%20Bookcloth/025.jpg

 

7 Signatures

4 Folios each,

Total 112 writing pages.

[DanielCoffey]

I do actually have a couple of questions for you if you have a moment... and yes, I have read the thread from page one. Many of our questions are actually answered in the comments and it is a very worthwhile journey to read the whole lot and see how you have developed your skills.

 

1. Of the Keith Smith books, which one(s) would you say were the most useful for heeling with these exposed spine books and perhaps simple case bound books? He has cunningly split his work into several volumes.

 

2. With the rounded corners, I know you cut the pages by the folio with a corner trimmer as you go but what do you use to cut the rounded corners on the boards?

 

3. With the ribbons, how are they anchored in the centre signature? If they are knotted, doesn't it make a significant bulge? Would you mind showing the centre inside of the ribbon folio please?

 

4. Do you use straight or curved needles when working on the 2-needle coptic? I came across a website talking about the curved needles for coptic but they didn't say if it was for the 2-needle approach.

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel.

[TMLee]

['DanielCoffey' timestamp=1340022023' post='2377895]

I do actually have a couple of questions for you if you have a moment... and yes, I have read the thread from page one. Many of our questions are actually answered in the comments and it is a very worthwhile journey to read the whole lot and see how you have developed your skills.

 

1. Of the Keith Smith books, which one(s) would you say were the most useful for heeling with these exposed spine books and perhaps simple case bound books? He has cunningly split his work into several volumes.

 

If I remember , its Volume III which deals with exposed spine sewings.

Keith wrote 4 or 5 volumes and I think he did right in publishing them separately, allowing the thematic content to be explored in depth and breadth.

It gets too unwieldy if you imagine several volumes collapsed into one.

 

His other volume on quick leather covers is also useful.

 

 

2. With the rounded corners, I know you cut the pages by the folio with a corner trimmer as you go but what do you use to cut the rounded corners on the boards?

 

I use the same corner punch to mark the greyboard.

Then I use a strong pair of scissors to cut the curved corners.

 

 

 

 

3. With the ribbons, how are they anchored in the centre signature? If they are knotted, doesn't it make a significant bulge? Would you mind showing the centre inside of the ribbon folio please?

 

Let me answer this in a separate post.

 

 

 

4. Do you use straight or curved needles when working on the 2-needle coptic? I came across a website talking about the curved needles for coptic but they didn't say if it was for the 2-needle approach.

 

I use straight needles.

[USMCMom]

TNLee ... I've been wanting to learn the double needle technique, but haven't been able to find instructions. Are they in a book?

[TMLee]

3. With the ribbons, how are they anchored in the centre signature? If they are knotted, doesn't it make a significant bulge? Would you mind showing the centre inside of the ribbon folio please?

 

 

 

 

 

RIBBON PAGEMARKER - THE TMLEE WAY ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20HOW-TO/Ribbon%20Pagemarker%20The%20TMLEE%20Way/DSCF7835-1.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20HOW-TO/Ribbon%20Pagemarker%20The%20TMLEE%20Way/DSCF7836-1.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20HOW-TO/Ribbon%20Pagemarker%20The%20TMLEE%20Way/DSCF7837-1.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20HOW-TO/Ribbon%20Pagemarker%20The%20TMLEE%20Way/DSCF7838-1.jpg

Edited June 18, 2012 by TMLee

[DanielCoffey]

Thank you - that was really useful.

[TMLee]

TNLee ... I've been wanting to learn the double needle technique, but haven't been able to find instructions. Are they in a book?

 

http://www.twinrockerhandmadepaper.com/images/books/bsmibind.jpg?PHPSESSID=5bedc9dfc927e2eadde7372b55e0437f

[USMCMom]

Thank you for your help!

[TMLee]

This is Journal #154B "Orange Leather Imprint" A6 size

 

I had orange and black and brown of this same texture.

In exploring how to make the orange more appealing, I decided to add a spine accent using the black version.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8353.jpg

 

The reverse side of this black version however, looked attractive to me and seemed to offer perhaps more interest.

Its matte, with the veins obvious

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8354.jpg

 

 

Preparing the covers

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8351.jpg

 

This time, I have stuck to my newfound technique of using the cover material to cover the entire coverboard.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8357.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8356.jpg

 

 

The spine accent glued carefully.

Because the paper is somewhat stiff, it held its straightedge pretty well, unlike bookcloth which I find challenging becos its fabric and tends to deform upon receiving glue.

 

Frontside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8360.jpg

 

backside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8361.jpg

 

 

The accents completed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8375.jpg

 

 

My technique achieves complete flush level between the accent and the cover material.

The advantage is the elimination of the 'bump' arising from an overlap.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8377.jpg

 

I made another pair with the black accent but frontside

Its glossy

Here compared side by side with the matte

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/DSCF8369.jpg

 

 

Completed...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/001.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/003.jpg

 

Black bands

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/008.jpg

 

 

In keeping colours to a minimum, I chose orange stitches.

And orange ribbon pagemarker.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/009.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/016.jpg

 

Full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/015.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/012.jpg

 

 

The flush joint

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/007.jpg

 

 

Black flyleaves to match

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/013.jpg

 

 

Inktestpage with a STIPULA Alter Ego <0.9> Stub

PELIKAN Brilliant Brown

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/018.jpg

 

Colophon

FABER CASTELL E-Motion <F> Stubbed DIY dipped in DIAMINE Monaco Red

LAMY Safari <F> Stubbed DIY with NOODLER's Black

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20154%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint/Journal%20154B%20Orange%20Leather%20Imprint%20Matte%20Spine/019.jpg

 

 

Writing paper is

NACHI Light Grey , 124g, Smooth.

Unlined.

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each, 112 writing pages total.

[pen2paper]

Stunning

[TMLee]

Stunning

 

Thank you

[DanielCoffey]

The orange and black contrast cover is very smart.

 

What width of flat elastic do you prefer to use on these later journals? Do you vary the width based on the size of the finished book?

 

I envy your coloured elastic because all I can get over here is plain black or plain white in a few widths. I do have the choice of 9mm double-strength or 10mm standard which seem fairly suitable.

[TMLee]

The orange and black contrast cover is very smart.

 

What width of flat elastic do you prefer to use on these later journals? Do you vary the width based on the size of the finished book?

 

I envy your coloured elastic because all I can get over here is plain black or plain white in a few widths. I do have the choice of 9mm double-strength or 10mm standard which seem fairly suitable.

 

Thanks.

 

I use widths that are not disproportionate to the journals size.

Many bands around. But hard to find suitable ones.

I haven't improved in this department.

Can't find nicer ones.

 

:-(