... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

QUOTE (James Pickering @ Apr 3 2007, 09:52 PM)

For single section case bound books you can substitute artist's canvas for mull -- it works very well being strong and acid free. James

I like the sample image of the bookcover you posted.

 

The spine is not supposed to be glued to the cover .. am I right? Just the inside covers right?

 

 

[TMLee]

QUOTE (scribbler @ Apr 4 2007, 08:24 AM)

TMLee, they go in a stack by date. Your coptic job looks good to my newbie eyes! [The idea to get the thicker Moleskine Datebooks (expired or soon to be) and rip the innards out to use the covers sounds is something I'd like to try next. The datebook bookblocks are probably discards, in this case... ]

Tks Scribbler for yr encouragement...

 

What you're doing sounds 'violent' .... like the hobbycraft of 'Alternate Books' ... !

[TMLee]

QUOTE (Latro21 @ Apr 4 2007, 06:00 AM)

ya know, i was just thinking, and it might be a good idea to make and sell fountain pen friendly journals in the marketplace. some people dont want to take the time to make their own, or like me, cant find/afford all the materials [however cheap they are, its not cheap enough for me right now, i assure you]. a nicely made, reasonably priced journal, id buy one. plus it may inspire me to make my own later on when i get some money in my pockets.

Hi Nick ...

Peddle handmade journals here ? Hmmm ... Might be breaking the rules on this board... ..

 

U could have yr journals made to yr specs though. Just look for a bookbinder like what I did.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...ndpost&p=117273

 

 

Edited April 4, 2007 by TMLee

[James Pickering]

QUOTE (TMLee @ Apr 4 2007, 04:19 AM)

QUOTE (James Pickering @ Apr 3 2007, 09:46 PM) I have quite a bit of mull on hand left over from when I was binding (and re-binding) books on a regular basis, TMLee. Send me your snail mail address back channel and I will send you enough mull to bind a few books. James Mighty nice of u .. but unfortunately I live half way round the globe from u ... Too bad, TMLee -- congratulations on your project.   James

[James Pickering]

QUOTE (TMLee @ Mar 26 2007, 02:17 AM)

.......... As in all self made projects, its always exciting & the feeling of accomplishment is just sweet.

That is very true, TMLee -- especially with regard to binding books.

 

James

[James Pickering]

Deleted by James Pickering

Edited April 10, 2007 by James Pickering

[James Pickering]

Deleted by James Pickering

Edited April 10, 2007 by James Pickering

[Latro21]

QUOTE (TMLee @ Apr 4 2007, 05:40 AM)

QUOTE (Latro21 @ Apr 4 2007, 06:00 AM) ya know, i was just thinking, and it might be a good idea to make and sell fountain pen friendly journals in the marketplace. some people dont want to take the time to make their own, or like me, cant find/afford all the materials [however cheap they are, its not cheap enough for me right now, i assure you]. a nicely made, reasonably priced journal, id buy one. plus it may inspire me to make my own later on when i get some money in my pockets. Hi Nick ... Peddle handmade journals here ? Hmmm ... Might be breaking the rules on this board... ..   U could have yr journals made to yr specs though. Just look for a bookbinder like what I did.   https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...ndpost&p=117273 how would that break any rules? you can sell whatever you want in the marketplace.   and if i cant afford materials, i doubt i can afford a custom book

[TMLee]

Hi All ...

Found another sort of free Saturday today and made my third homemade journal.

 

This time its Conqueror paper as mentioned earlier. Cream colored. 100gsm. A4 cut into half then folded into Signatures that are A6 sized.

They are coptic stitched (as before) with 100% linen thread. (couldn't find somethiing nicer and thicker)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/A6size.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/copticstitch.jpg

 

Flyleaves being prepared. 'Basic Grey' motifs. (made to look distressed)

Then cut out and pasted onto the signatures, inside front and inside rear.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/flyleavesmotif.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/flyleavesonsignature.jpg

 

This time managed to buy a huge piece of leather at a $bargain. Cognac colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/preparingleather.jpg

 

This time I also made a pocket to be pasted onto the rear inside cover.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/pocketready.jpg

 

Glued the leather onto the flyleaves.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/flyleavesinstalled.jpg

 

Glued the pocket onto the rear inside cover too.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/pocketinstalled.jpg

 

The finished product. With a DT Densho RE ED for scale.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/endpdt1.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/endpdt2.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/endpdt3.jpg

 

The leather is 0.8 -1mm thick. I couldn't find the specially thin ones for books. But its real soft.

 

Need some advice though...

How do I get rid or seal away the leather fibres along all the edges?

 

Do you glue the spine to the leather too? I did not. I did the coptic stitch cos I wanted it to open flat. I didn't glue a mull to the spine too. (I know its a no-no)

 

But I am happy with the paper cos its definitely FP friendly.

 

Any advice on how to do a better cover for my next (4th) journal?

Edited May 19, 2007 by TMLee

[ajbw]

Hi All ...

Found another sort of free Saturday today and made my third homemade journal.

 

This time its Conqueror paper as mentioned earlier. Cream colored. 100gsm. A4 cut into half then folded into Signatures that are A6 sized.

They are coptic stitched (as before) with 100% linen thread. (couldn't find somethiing nicer and thicker)

 

Wow, that really does look great! Very tidy (although I have no experience). About how long did it take you to make? Did you use a guillotine to cut the paper? Is the cover flexible or reinforced, it looks quite flexible?

[TMLee]

 

 

Wow, that really does look great! Very tidy (although I have no experience). About how long did it take you to make? Did you use a guillotine to cut the paper? Is the cover flexible or reinforced, it looks quite flexible?

 

Hi Alex...

I started late morning and finished by 3pm. In between , lunch etc ....

 

The paper are cut by hand, using box cutter and steel rule, 5 sheets at one go.

 

The cover is soft and flexible, like any leather just that this one has a slightly stiffer flyleave glued to it. But its still soft so that it can be carried in pants rear pocket ...

[TMLee]

I am thinking abt perhaps incorporating a magnetic flap of a closure in the leather , for the next journal.

 

 

[TMLee]

meet the family ... (newest additions on the right)

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/DSCF0574.jpg

Edited May 21, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Managed to do a journal this afternoon ...

This one's handmade journal #4 . (nope , no magnetic catch yet) And I might give this away.

 

6 Signatures. 5 folios per Signature. Pity the paper is quite thin, Herlitz A4 pad, 80gsm I think. Linen embossed.

This time, I am trying exposed binding with strips. Here I am cutting out irregular strips of leather to be stitched to the spine.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%204/strips.jpg

 

Strips sewn together with the Signatures. The signatures are linked stitched. The thread too thin, I wish I had thicker thread and perhaps brown in colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%204/stripssewn.jpg

 

Flyleaves glued to the same calf leather (cognac colour). Cut to exact A6 size.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%204/flyleavegluedtoleather.jpg

 

Front and rear flyleaves (with leather cover) glued to book block

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%204/flyleavegluedtobook.jpg

 

Finished pdt - front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%204/front.jpg

 

and back

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%204/DSCback.jpg

 

Overall view. The strips are a lighter tan leather.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%204/finishedpdt.jpg

 

 

Edited June 10, 2007 by TMLee

[Latro21]

meet the family ... (newest additions on the right)

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/DSCF0574.jpg

 

thats quite a nice little collection of journals there.

 

after being inspired to do so by this thread, and receiving the money which i have eagerly been anticipating, i fully intend to start binding a few of my own journals relatively soon. the paper will be strathmore 400 series sketch paper which is a quite nice off white and at 89gsm works amazingly well with my pens and inks. ill post results whenever it is i complete them.

[TMLee]

thats quite a nice little collection of journals there.

 

after being inspired to do so by this thread, and receiving the money which i have eagerly been anticipating, i fully intend to start binding a few of my own journals relatively soon. the paper will be strathmore 400 series sketch paper which is a quite nice off white and at 89gsm works amazingly well with my pens and inks. ill post results whenever it is i complete them.

 

 

Great Nick ... (I was beginning to wonder if anyone's interested in this thread anymore)

 

They come in pads ? Strathmore paper 89gsm (why such an odd figure?) (sounds like the sketch journal I have - the biggest one you see in the family, its off white but works best with dry media. I tried FP ink and it wasn't so good)

 

Can the ink be seen on the reverse side? It may not bleed thru but may still be visible on the reverse side due to the thinness of the paper, which can be distracting ...

 

Have you checked out 100gsm paper instead? The ones that come in loose sheets , packed in 100sheets, A4 size? Often watermarked and marketed as ideal for presentable business letters or invites etc .... Most likely cheaper than buying pads (i assume) of Strathmores.

Edited May 26, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

OK .. This is handmade Journal #5 ... and guess what ?

 

Dental floss works perfect ! 5 Signatures. 5 folios per signature.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/dentalfloss.jpg

 

This time trying out a strap with magnet closure (fridge magnets cannibalised)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/whitestrap.jpg

 

Marking out the exact postion to weave the white leather strap into the black leather cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/whitestrapprep.jpg

 

Weaved and glued ...

Inside back cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/whitestrapglued.jpg

and back view http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/finishedcover.jpg

 

Flyleaves glued to book block

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/flyleavesglued.jpg

 

This time I'm using bandage gauze as mull ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/bandage.jpg

 

and being glued http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/mullbeingglued.jpg

 

and mull glued completely. Seems to work, not sure. The black patch is the other receiving magnet for the strap closure

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/mullglued.jpg

 

Book block glued to black leather cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/magnetonstrap.jpg

 

Front cover. Closed.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/closed.jpg

and rear cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/backcover.jpg

 

Strap unclasped http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/strapopened.jpg

 

Overall views

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/overallview2.jpg http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/overallview.jpg

 

Stays flat when opened. The mull seems to be working

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/betwensignatures.jpg

Edited May 26, 2007 by TMLee

[Latro21]

Great Nick ... (I was beginning to wonder if anyone's interested in this thread anymore)

 

They come in pads ? Strathmore paper 89gsm (why such an odd figure?) (sounds like the sketch journal I have - the biggest one you see in the family, its off white but works best with dry media. I tried FP ink and it wasn't so good)

 

Can the ink be seen on the reverse side? It may not bleed thru but may still be visible on the reverse side due to the thinness of the paper, which can be distracting ...

 

Have you checked out 100gsm paper instead? The ones that come in loose sheets , packed in 100sheets, A4 size? Often watermarked and marketed as ideal for presentable business letters or invites etc .... Most likely cheaper than buying pads (i assume) of Strathmores.

 

 

i use strathmore sketch/drawing pads and on a whim tried various fountain pen inks [as well as other pens] and all worked perfectly with no bleeding or feathering. show through isnt really a problem at all-you can sorta see the writing through it when another sheet is against the written side, but other than that its no worry. its 60lb/89gsm. thickness is about ideal for my preference-not too thin, not too thick. i havent looked into other papers yet but i dont think it will be an easy task to find special writing paper-i havent been able to find a good place to buy paper/pens/ink/nokebooks/etc anywhere around, while the strathmore sketch books are easy to find and fairly cheap. plus, at 9"x12" [with 100 sheets] i can make plenty of my two favorite notebook sizes-large and pocket moleskines. if i can find better paper for cheaper ill surely try it out, but for now this suits my pens, inks and purposes.

[TMLee]

i use strathmore sketch/drawing pads and on a whim tried various fountain pen inks [as well as other pens] and all worked perfectly with no bleeding or feathering. show through isnt really a problem at all-you can sorta see the writing through it when another sheet is against the written side, but other than that its no worry. its 60lb/89gsm. thickness is about ideal for my preference-not too thin, not too thick. i havent looked into other papers yet but i dont think it will be an easy task to find special writing paper-i havent been able to find a good place to buy paper/pens/ink/nokebooks/etc anywhere around, while the strathmore sketch books are easy to find and fairly cheap. plus, at 9"x12" [with 100 sheets] i can make plenty of my two favorite notebook sizes-large and pocket moleskines. if i can find better paper for cheaper ill surely try it out, but for now this suits my pens, inks and purposes.

 

 

Great Nick ...

I guess whatever fits ....

soon you will be having interesting ideas as you start making yr first few... Its very enjoyable... the greatest reward is that you get a personalised journal ... (same thing happened to me when I reskinned my cameras !)

 

Do post pics of yr creations....

Yesterday I bought some more 100gsm paper - this time Ivory in colour (which I think shld be a more acceptable hue of colour to more pple)

 

I am thinking abt taking up yr idea abt selling some of these handmade journals. It seems more feasible now. But I honestly wonder if anyone here on this forum would buy one.

 

The #4 journal was given to my wife.

And the #5 was designed to be given away as a belated bday gift . I was happy that she liked it much.

 

Now I am wondering how to do stitching on leather.

 

 

[TMLee]

OK ... starting to get the hang of things ...

This is journal #6 - also to be given away - to my son who is still way too young to journal... I couldn't turn down his request for a personal journal , having seen me do several now. He's got special requests which I find hard to accede to , anyway , as I crafted, new ideas develop along the way and here is the finished product. He is very proud to own one of Papa's (best) creations ... so far ... His siblings are green with envy, and they already assume a personalised journal each ... soon ... !

 

Conqueror Cream 100gsm paper

Brown calf leather

4 signatures

5 folios per signature

dental floss stitching

coptic stitch

fridge magnets

matching pocket

 

The Spiderman Journal I shall call it ......

The spider was cut out carefully ... Phew ! quite a challenge .... some red added in (for interest ) on an otherwise dull brown calf leather ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%206/finishedpdt-1.jpg

 

This time the cover was one piece of leather incorporating the strap. The spine I now know is too tight.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%206/onepiececover.jpg

 

Managed to chance upon a spidey motif for the flyleaves. Lousy paper though - too thin

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%206/spideyyflyleaves.jpg

 

matching pocket

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%206/matchingpocket.jpg

 

will put up a picture of the 'colophon' later ... not done yet ...

Edited June 10, 2007 by TMLee