... homemade journal ...

[TMLee]

GOSH ! what happened to my earlier pics ? Rats ... all the hard work ...

[TMLee]

This here is blank journal #7. My first hardcover blank journal. Most likely to be given away.

 

Bookblock

6 signatures. 5 folios per signature. Total 120 pages. 100gsm watermarked paper , brand called 'ZETA'. Natural white hammer embossed. Lace book marker.

 

Stitching

Dental floss (Oral B waxed)

 

Cover

Matboard , didn't have bookbinders grey board. Managed to buy some bookcloth tho...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/rawcovers.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/bookclothglued.jpg

 

Japanese paper - really nice paper. The raised white outlines are actualy latex/rubber material.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/coverwrap.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/edgescompleted.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/frontwrapdone.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/bookcoverdone.jpg

 

a closeup of the corner

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/cornercloseup.jpg

 

the bookblock glued and bookmarker added

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/bookblockandbookmark.jpg

 

 

overall views

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/frontview.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/overallview.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%207/frontview2.jpg

 

 

Edited June 10, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is blank journal #8. To be given away too.

 

100gsm watermarked paper. Hammer embossed (which is extremely smooth to FP as compared to the Conqueror laid paper)

8 signatures as requested. 5 folios per signature. 160 pages. Matching envelop

pocket

provided.

Calf leather brown. Using both sides.

Coptic stitch done with dental floss. (Oral B waxed)

Turkey motif flyleaves.

 

My best effort so far (I think)

 

Strap sewn onto the spine. This time I used 2 separate needles and threads. (dumb ...! shld be 2 needles but ONE thread) The

stitch

goes in a zigzag fashion but its not obvious since the signatures are close to

each other.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/straptospine.jpg

 

So resolve that, I decided to knot the exposed threads neatly together as is

done not

uncommonly. It looks a lot better now. You can see the 2 needles in position for the next strap.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/2needlestraptospine.jpg

 

A closer view of one strap.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/tidyupstitch.jpg

 

All 3 straps done.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/strapsdone.jpg

 

I found this cute turkey motif and used them for the flyleaves. Amazing

coincidence, the

browns of the turkey exactly match the brown leather. Here the flyleaves are cut

and glued

onto the leather covers

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/turkeyflyleaves.jpg

 

And then glued onto the bookblock and clamped

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/coversclamped.jpg

 

The straps now glued onto the covers.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/overallview.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/overallview2.jpg

 

A logo the recipient uses often. Its carefully cut out using a paper cutter then

a thin fire

red paper used for backgraound effect.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/frontcover.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/anotherfrontcover.jpg

 

A closeup view of the logo

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/eyelogocarvedout.jpg

 

The book stays flat open bcos of the coptic stitch. A Danitrio Densho Raw

Ebonite for

scale.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/opensflat.jpg

 

a closer view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/opensflatcloserview.jpg

 

The turkey flyleaves.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/turkeyflyleavesopened.jpg

 

The 'colophon' and pocket

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%208/colophon.jpg

 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2007 by TMLee

[meanwhile]

TM -

 

This is really nice work!

 

The point about the Coptic stitch letting the book stay flay while open is interesting. But why use dental floss???

[TMLee]

TM -

 

This is really nice work!

 

The point about the Coptic stitch letting the book stay flay while open is interesting. But why use dental floss???

 

 

Tks Jonathan ...

 

well , I couldn't find the right size and color of linen thread , and I was just wondering what is readily found in any home that could be a possible substitute. Dental floss came to mind and decided to give it a try and to my surprise it works .... besides, its also waxed !

Its thin but flat and broad so it has some 'body' to it , compared against the linen thread I used in my other earlier journals.

 

I just bought some more threads , but just can't find the ones they use to stitch leather. I am just dying to find that bcos I know it will contribute greatly to the aesthetics. But its fun finding ways and means round a problem, improvising along the way.

 

I am also thinking abt how to do stitching and might try using a normal sewing machine .... tho I know there's a great risk there. Anyone here knows abt leather, wd appreciate yr input.

 

You folks here shld try it bcos many of us here have a clearcut need for FP friendly paper which somehow is not guaranteed in the many journals available for sale around us - rather ironic I find this - a journal that doesn't readily take ink ! (In fact annoying)

 

... its very rewarding... If I can do it , I am sure you all can too ....

Edited June 10, 2007 by TMLee

[Ged]

TM, just came back to this thread after awhile. I have to say, your latest effort looks amazing! Why doesn't anyone send me a gift like that instead of ties I dont wear

 

Many thanks for including some great photo's too.

[TMLee]

TM, just came back to this thread after awhile. I have to say, your latest effort looks amazing! Why doesn't anyone send me a gift like that instead of ties I dont wear

 

Many thanks for including some great photo's too.

 

 

Tks Ged ...

BUT .... you just gave me another idea for old ties that I too don't wear.... :roflmho:

 

 

[meanwhile]

TM -

 

This is really nice work!

 

The point about the Coptic stitch letting the book stay flay while open is interesting. But why use dental floss???

 

 

Tks Jonathan ...

 

well , I couldn't find the right size and color of linen thread , and I was just wondering what is readily found in any home that could be a possible substitute. Dental floss came to mind and decided to give it a try and to my surprise it works .... besides, its also waxed !

Its thin but flat and broad so it has some 'body' to it , compared against the linen thread I used in my other earlier journals.

 

I did a search on the web and found that floss is often included in survival kits, for repairing clothes, use as a fishing line etc. I suppose it must be quite tough to survive the strain of flossing (I wouldn't know: I use the new fangled disposeable dental picks myself.)

 

You folks here shld try it bcos many of us here have a clearcut need for FP friendly paper which somehow is not guaranteed in the many journals available for sale around us - rather ironic I find this - a journal that doesn't readily take ink ! (In fact annoying)

 

With an example like yours, I might well do! Although my local supermarket is selling really FP friendly A4 notebooks right now - cheap too, amazingly. Not nearly as attractive as your work though.

 

[Tricia]

...

I just bought some more threads , but just can't find the ones they use to stitch leather. I am just dying to find that bcos I know it will contribute greatly to the aesthetics. But its fun finding ways and means round a problem, improvising along the way.

 

I am also thinking abt how to do stitching and might try using a normal sewing machine .... tho I know there's a great risk there. Anyone here knows abt leather, wd appreciate yr input.

...

 

Are you talking about stitching the leather on a sewing machine? If so, you'll need a special leather needle, not a regular sewing machine needle. (They sell them at most sewing shops that have sewing machine needles, or you can easily find them online.) You might want to look at what's called button hole thread. It's much thicker than regular sewing machine thread, though it won't go through most sewing machines, except hand wound in the bobbin (which is a whole separate technique and you kind of have to be into sewing to deal with it, imo). There are many beautiful colors for hand sewing, though. Silks are especially beautiful, imo. Upholstery thread would also probably do what you want. (It's quite a bit thicker than regular thread.)

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

Are you talking about stitching the leather on a sewing machine? If so, you'll need a special leather needle, not a regular sewing machine needle. (They sell them at most sewing shops that have sewing machine needles, or you can easily find them online.) You might want to look at what's called button hole thread. It's much thicker than regular sewing machine thread, though it won't go through most sewing machines, except hand wound in the bobbin (which is a whole separate technique and you kind of have to be into sewing to deal with it, imo). There are many beautiful colors for hand sewing, though. Silks are especially beautiful, imo. Upholstery thread would also probably do what you want. (It's quite a bit thicker than regular thread.)

 

Hi Tricia ...

Tks for yr advice...

Found the special needle for leather to be used in sewing machines.

 

As for threads .... I'm lost ...! I have been visiting little shops that sell threads but they don't seem to have what I am looking for...

quite frustrating ...

 

Do you sew in leather? any websites I can learn from? Have u crafted any pencases?

 

[TMLee]

Dear Peter ...

I can't get my holes lined up neatly as U can see in my Journal #8. How does one do it? I know pierce from the outside of the spine ... but how do U pierce accurately it comes out dead centre inside the valley?

 

[Tricia]

...

As for threads .... I'm lost ...! I have been visiting little shops that sell threads but they don't seem to have what I am looking for...

quite frustrating ...

 

...

 

Here's a site for silk threads. (No affiliation, just a happy customer.)

 

Silk Things Silk Thread

 

Scroll to the bottom for their buttonhole thread.

 

There are quite a few bookbinding sites out there if you'd like to use traditional linen thread.

 

 

...

Do you sew in leather? any websites I can learn from? Have u crafted any pencases?

...

 

I have sewn with leather but not lately. The more pliable the leather (e.g., lambskin) the easier it is to sew, imo. The one thing to remember with leather is that the holes do not disappear as they do in fabric if you have to rip out a seam. It's best, imo, to sew up a sample in something else first to get all the seams, etc., right, and then sew it up in the leather.

 

I've made a few pen cases, but they are only of fabric and of the rollup design. I've been thinking of using Ultrasuede as the lining in my next one. Have to do research on it first, though, and make sure it won't harm my pens.

 

I'd recommend doing a Google search for "sewing leather" - there are quite a few sites with good information that I think you could use.

 

Love your books. And I agree about the Coptic stitch. Very useful for journals!

 

Edited June 11, 2007 by Tricia

[TMLee]

There are quite a few bookbinding sites out there if you'd like to use traditional linen thread.

 

I've made a few pen cases, but they are only of fabric and of the rollup design. I've been thinking of using Ultrasuede as the lining in my next one. Have to do research on it first, though, and make sure it won't harm my pens.

 

I'd recommend doing a Google search for "sewing leather" - there are quite a few sites with good information that I think you could use.

 

From a FPNer here, I found 2 groups ... "hedeghogsforever" and "homemadebooks". They hv very interesting sample completed works there. Some really really good and very professionally done.

 

Wd u mind posting pics of yr pencases?

 

What's ultrasuede? I thot that the backside of finised leather is soft enough and won't damage the pens. Maybe I am lucky the leather I have is soft (0.8 to 1mm) ....

 

 

[TMLee]

This is handmade Journal #9 ...

 

This time I am trying out the cross link stitch which is exposed on the outside ...

 

Piercing the holes for the stitching on the first and last signature . Not a good idea I found out only after all is complete. Another learning experience.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/piercingholes.jpg

 

Now the start of the stitch from the outside. One thread but 2 needles. Puncturing the first hole of both the 1st and last signature.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/2needles.jpg

 

view from outside. Binder clips to make the leather stay where it should.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/2needlesouterview.jpg

 

The crosslink stitch halfway done.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/crosslinkstitch.jpg

 

A closer view. I managed to buy linen thread. Its quite expensive. Brown in colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/Scrosslinkstitchcloserview.jpg

 

The stitch completed. The leather is not cut to size yet. I didn't have the confidence.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/crosslinkstitchdone.jpg

 

I also managed to buy some really interesting elastic bands.(not sure what its commonly used for) This one's grey in colour. The band is glued on the inside of the leather, The band goes thru the leather thru slits.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/elasticbeingglued.jpg

 

The elastic band as seen on the back cover.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/backcover.jpg

 

The completed journal. Leather trimmed to correct size.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/overallview.jpg

 

'Dynamite' flyleaves ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/flyleaves.jpg

 

Matching pocket .

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%209/matchingpocket.jpg

 

100gsm natural white paper, hammer embossed.

6 signatures. 5 folios per signature.

Calf leather (1mm to 0.8mm thk) , very soft - too soft .

Dental floss for bookblock stitching. Coptic stitch. Spine not glued. No mull.

Linen (brown) thread for exposed stitching on spine.

Flyleaves 'dynamite' motif 70gsm uncoated paper(bad) glued onto white card.

Light grey elastic band on back cover.

Matching pocket.

 

 

 

 

 

[WillAdams]

To line up holes in signatures I use a ``sewing cradle'' made of matboard and a sheet of transparent film (I use leftover film from when I worked at a flexography shop, but you could use paper or vellum or transparency film for overhead projectors) --- basically the cradle is a foldable ``V'' with a bottom stop --- insert the first signature, the folded transparency film (carefully marked w/ where the holes should go) and punch away. After a while one develops a collection of guides which speed up one's work.

 

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.

 

William

 

 

[TMLee]

To line up holes in signatures I use a ``sewing cradle'' made of matboard and a sheet of transparent film (I use leftover film from when I worked at a flexography shop, but you could use paper or vellum or transparency film for overhead projectors) --- basically the cradle is a foldable ``V'' with a bottom stop --- insert the first signature, the folded transparency film (carefully marked w/ where the holes should go) and punch away. After a while one develops a collection of guides which speed up one's work.

 

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.

 

William

 

 

Hi William ...

Yr teabook is nice.

About the cradle . any chance you can show a pic ?

TIA

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'll show you mine...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/takematsu/SewingCradle01.jpg

 

And some re-inforcement on the underside, since I was going through some pretty hefty signatures when I made this:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/takematsu/SewingCradle02.jpg

 

All made of cheap cheap foam-board and the aforementioned PVA white glue. Made about two dozen books last christmas with it and it's still utterly functional. MUCH better than a piercing saddle as some guide-books suggest.

[TMLee]

Hi Ernst (?) ...

This is why I always ask for pics ... A pic is always worth a thousand words ...

 

I have a few queries ...

 

How big is this DIY cradle?

How thick (no. of folios) is one of yr signature?

Won't the foam boards cave in under the force of puncturing the sewing holes?

Is there a gap at the valley?

How do you make the sewing holes? pierce with an awl or drill with a superfine drill-bit?

 

If you mark on the spine of the signature on the outside, how do you pierce in the cradle? Do you fold over , ie make the spine become the valley ? What is normally done?

Edited June 21, 2007 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is handmade journal #10. To be given away as well.

 

Managed to find a paper merchant who sells almost all kinds of paper. So I bought some loose sheets of 120gsm natural white paper. Plain , Some brand called 'NATURALIS' . VERY FP friendly . I believe it can take just abt any medium. Also , To my delight , I also found polyester thread - the kind they use for sewing leather. It was a very old shop but piled ceiling high selling all kinds of sewing materials. I also found mull - and different thicknesses too.

 

The bookblock. 6 signatures. 5 folios per signature. This time polyester thread size 20, off-white in colour. Coptic stitch. Exposed stitching.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/bookblock.jpg

 

The polyester thread, This ones' tan in colour.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/polyesterthread.jpg

 

The rear cover. Much like my previous journal here, I used the reverse side of th eleather. I included an elastic band now.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/elasticband.jpg

 

The flyleaves were an intersting woodgrain textured card, probably 350gsm.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/flyleaves.jpg

a closer view of the woodgrain

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/flyleavewoodgrain.jpg

 

The covers glued to the bookblock

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/coverglued.jpg

 

This time I decided to stitch the flyleaves to the straps as well ... so the pierced holes ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/flyleafpierced.jpg

 

The 3 pieces of leather straps readied for stitching onto the spine. I learnt from a book that its best to use a rotary cutter on fabric, leather etc which I did and found to be absolutely true.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/preparingleatherstrips.jpg

 

I designed a monogram for the intended recipient of this journal .

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/preparingmonogram.jpg

 

being cut out with a 30 degree paper cutter. I felt the lime green would be a good accent color.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/monogramcutouts.jpg

 

The straps being sewn onto the spine. 2 needles one thread zigzag fashion. Tan polyester thread.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/2needlesonethread.jpg

 

All 3 straps in place.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/allstrapssewntospine.jpg

 

A closer view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/straptospine.jpg

 

The polyester thread I find is too slippery and it doesn't stay put. Annoying! Can anyone help out here? What am I doing wrong? I find that when I use dental floss , this wasn't such a problem. So as you can see the threads are somewhat loose. I had to use that decorative technique of tying up these exposed stitches together and it certainly saved the day.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/tidyup.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/closerview.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/overallview.jpg

 

Then the loose ends trimmed and pasted neatly along the spine

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/trimmedandpasted.jpg

 

Of course the straps were all individually glued onto the covers too.

 

A closeup of one strap stitch

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/closeupspine.jpg

 

another view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/spineview.jpg

 

The front cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/frontcover.jpg

 

A closeup of the monogram

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/closeupmonogram.jpg

 

The rear cover

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/rearcover.jpg

 

With the elastic band deployed. The band is glued between the leather cover and the binding board. It can be totally hidden out of view when its not deployed and made to sit on the inside rear flyleave.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/elasticclosure.jpg

 

The finished product

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/finishedpdt.jpg

 

stays flat when opened

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/journal%2010/staysflat.jpg

 

 

 

 

[rawin]

This is all very interesting and impressive! I bought a Paperblanks today but I think I will have a go at this myself. Owning a unique journal with paper of choice should be a great experience.

 

(....and is very convenient when your spouse has limited your fountain pen acquisitions.)