... homemade journal ...

[WOBentley]

I am curious,

For those of you who own my journals featuring TOMOE RIVER paper, how are the journals coming along?

I decided to use one myself, TR#05 ...

and I have to say the paper is quite something.

I used both sides , kinda distracting, but somehow after a while you get used to it.

What's your experience?

I have one of your early test journals (green covers) and I am using it as an ink sample journal.... I love the paper and the journal. Because of what I use it for I do not have a problem with the ink drying time.

[TMLee]

I have one of your early test journals (green covers) and I am using it as an ink sample journal.... I love the paper and the journal. Because of what I use it for I do not have a problem with the ink drying time.

Thanks ,

 

Yes, I am also starting to appreciate it more as I continue to use it.

What I observe is that the colour of the inks stays accurately represented on this paper.

This I appreciate much.

Then with wet nibs, the shading of inks becomes an added bonus :-)

 

I use both sides of each page.

And when I do that, I place a black card or black paper underneath.

Doing this effectively cuts out the 'shadow' of ink showthru on the written side.

And you can continue writing undistracted.

:-)

[TMLee]

This is Journal #170C "Happy Dragonflies" crafted on order...

 

A6 size

 

My 13th TR journal ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/034.jpg

 

 

This time round, I continued to explore other ways of piercing the Signatures ...

 

I went back to using my piercing template ...

Becos it seemed that the best piercings are achieved when pierced from the inside of a signature.

The only problems was keeping the folios (supersmooth) from sliding around out of position as its handled thruout the stitching process.

So to prevent the folios from sliding out of position, I clamped them down onto the piercing cradle like so ...

I used the same piercing needle held in a handheld vise.

Well, at least there are no more inaccurate piercings ...

( Yeah , I know , its a pretty primitive set up ... )

This DIY piercing cradle is a sharper 'vee' for use with TR paper.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/017.jpg

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/020.jpg

 

with band deployed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/022.jpg

 

 

The owner liked blue so it pretty much settled the colour scheme

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/024.jpg

 

My TR journals now have 6 sewing stations instead of the usual 4.

This is to prevent the TR paper from sliding around very easily.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/025.jpg

 

Closeup.

So far , of late, I have been successful at stitching them signatures to a uniform size and alignment.

This is a great relief for me ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/026.jpg

 

 

Full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/027.jpg

 

 

The burgundy flyleaves and matching ribbon pagemarker ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/029.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/032.jpg

 

The rear pocket as usual ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/033.jpg

 

The inktestpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/039.jpg

 

Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/035.jpg

 

This is a nice one

The fabric is textured, not just plainly printed ...

nice ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20170%20Happy%20Dragonflies/Journal%20170C%20Happy%20Dragonflies/016.jpg

Edited June 14, 2013 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Journal 121C "GEMATEX - Indian Red" made on order.

 

My 14th TR journal but my first one in A5 size

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/017.jpg

 

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/002.jpg

 

Because of TR paper, I had to stitch with more sewing stations....

Here you see a total of 4 pairs , ie, 8 sewing stations !!!!http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/005.jpg

 

I used waxed polyester thread , 0.8mm thick

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/006.jpg

 

Took me much much longer than usual doing just the stitching ...

The time was taken up with the piercing which I had to now do carefully to get them all aligned, then stitching with 8 needles at one go ! Took quite a bit of time , and patience....

 

Full spread ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/010.jpg

 

The TR paper is 52g, Cream and in A4 size, and becos it was so flimsy, and because of its larger A5 size, the pages were not rigid enough to make the book stand on its own ...

This pic was taken after quite some time of "coaxing'...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/011.jpg

 

This journal order was different, in that its covers are not my usual thickness for A5 sized journals.

The covers here are thinner, same as those used for the smaller sized A6 journals.

This journal is going to be fitted inside a leather jacket custom made for it.

Also,

becos its gonna sit inside a beautiful jacket, the elastic band closure has been omitted in this journal.

 

I chose lime green flyleaves and ribbon to match the leather jacket.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/018.jpg

 

The Colophon ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/014.jpg

 

Writing paper is :

TOMOE RIVER paper , 52g, Cream , A4 size.

7 Signatures, 10 Folios each ,

total 280 writing pages

 

Becos there is no cutting involved, the signatures and folios are all exactly same sized, and this contributes to the overall neatness of the bookblock , ie at the leading edges of the pages ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/020.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/022.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/024.jpg

 

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/007.jpg

 

 

Overall, its a bit more tedious stitching 8 stations , ie , with 8 needles at one go.

The process is slowed down.

 

More importantly, for those of you stitching with TR paper, i have come to learn that the piercing of the stations is crucial.

The piercings have to be smaller than your needle and thread.

This way, when it gets stitched, the fit of thread inside each perforation is tight with little or no room for the thread to move around.

I start piercing with a needle ,

then , i enlarge each hole carefully with an awl to make the hole just the right size.

 

Having now crafted one, I can now see that at A5 size, its just too flimsy and I think its practically not quite user friendly.

I now understand why Mr ?? ( the Japanese master craftsman ) resisted making the larger sized TR paper journals for so long.

There's good practical reason for this.

 

anyway,

I cant wait to see how it fits into its beautiful custom jacket .

If it works, I'll order one custom made leather jacket too .......

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/003.jpg

Edited June 17, 2013 by TMLee

[timjthomas]

Looks fantastic!! Wonderful work!! Thank you.

[mhguda]

This is Journal 121C "GEMATEX - Indian Red" made on order.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/003.jpg

It's beautiful as it is and for me would not need a cover (but different color accents...). Simplicity!

[TMLee]

Looks fantastic!! Wonderful work!! Thank you.

It's beautiful as it is and for me would not need a cover (but different color accents...). Simplicity!

Thank you

[TMLee]

This is Journal 31H "Cobalt Blue Bookcloth" made on order.

 

My 15th TR journal and my 2nd A5 size TR journal.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/021.jpg

 

 

This one has a different thickness.

The experiment was to find a size (thickness rather) that can best fit the leather jacket its supposed to be fitted into.

so this journal has only :

- 5 signatures instead of the usual 7 , and

- thinner covers instead of my usual thick and rigid covers.

The thickness of this journal is 14mm only.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/010.jpg

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/001.jpg

 

I chose a bright and contrasting stitches since the bookcloth is a very nice bright blue...

Chilli red ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/006.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/007.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/008.jpg

 

Full spread ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/011.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/012.jpg

 

 

and matching chilli red flyleaves ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/015.jpg

 

For some reason, I find the stitching with less signatures more easier to accomplish ...

I am not sure why ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/009.jpg

 

As in all my TR journals , another additional pair of sewing stations,

so total 4 pairs of stations , ie, 8 stations , ie 8 needles at one go.

Its a more tedious process, but it yields better end results.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/023.jpg

 

 

Inktestpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/016.jpg

 

 

Colophon ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/017.jpg

 

 

As reported earlier in the previous post ,

there is no need for cutting of the paper.

its just A4 folded into half to yield A5 size.

Becos of this, the overall bookblock becomes much neater ...

Here you see the fishtails - very neat and aligned ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/026.jpg

 

another view

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/027.jpg

 

 

Writing paper is :

TOMOE RIVER paper , 52g, Cream , supersmooth

5 signatures , 10 folios each,

Total 200 writing pages

 

This is a nice one ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Journal%2031%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/Journal%2031H%20Cobalt%20Blue%20Bookcloth/003.jpg

 

 

[timjthomas]

Very nice!!!

[TMLee]

This is Journal 172 "Red Efalin - Gifted" A5 size

 

Gary Larson's The Far Side is hilarious ...

 

having fun ....

 

front ...

decided on red - to match the red book he's carrying ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/001.jpg

 

then yellow - to keep things cheery , lighthearted ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/005.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/006.jpg

 

yellow stitches ...

I folded the entire signature at one go.

This method results in the spine being rounded, instead of sharp like in my past journals.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/007.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/010-1.jpg

 

 

Fullspread ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/008.jpg

 

Bright cheery yellow flyleaves ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/012-1.jpg

 

 

 

the Colophon ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/015-1.jpg

 

 

For this journal, I experimented on the recessed portion ...

I did a double bevel instead of the usual single one ...

like so ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/012.jpg

 

wrapped ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/021.jpg

 

 

Finished product ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/019-1.jpg

 

Such a deeper recess provides more protection from surface abrasions for the pasted cartoon ...

Here you see the texture of the paper too ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/023-1.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/024-1.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/020-1.jpg

 

 

This is a handsome one ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2013/2013%20Journals/Journal%20172%20Red%20Efalin%20-%20Gifted/002.jpg

Edited July 8, 2013 by TMLee

[lawrenceg]

I have been on some bookbinding courses and am starting one tomorrow, which should cover the methods you use (the real reason I have gone on the course).

 

I have been watching this thread closely and really enjoy looking at your work and the ideas.

I like the papers and colours you have chosen which show that bookbinding is more than a method of binding books but also incorporates artistry. The monogram and the inserts add to it all.

 

I just wish I could buy Tomoe River paper in the United Kingdom (I will probably use Offenbach bible paper)

 

Thank you for the inspiration

[TMLee]

I have been on some bookbinding courses and am starting one tomorrow, which should cover the methods you use (the real reason I have gone on the course).

 

I have been watching this thread closely and really enjoy looking at your work and the ideas.

I like the papers and colours you have chosen which show that bookbinding is more than a method of binding books but also incorporates artistry. The monogram and the inserts add to it all.

 

I just wish I could buy Tomoe River paper in the United Kingdom (I will probably use Offenbach bible paper)

 

Thank you for the inspiration

 

 

Thank you 'lawrenceg' for your kind words

 

Its great that you have bookbinding courses over there. Its a lot easier learning by observing a live demo.

 

The bible paper is really super thin. Must be really challenging working with it, I imagine.

 

The journals that I craft are of a certain specific type, I feel most suited to FP users.

Thats how I started and have maintained the concept design.

 

It must be real fun for you learning the various binding types the courses offer.

 

Enjoy your upcoming course !

[Scriptorium Pens]

TMLee,

 

Your beautiful journals have tempted me into trying my own. I have made several notebooks using your instructions, and love them so much I decided to try a large journal with double-needle coptic stitching. I've re-read this wonderful thread many times and am ready to start sewing on a 5 folio Tomoe River journal. How do you determine how much thread you will need for each pair of needles?

[TMLee]

TMLee,

 

Your beautiful journals have tempted me into trying my own. I have made several notebooks using your instructions, and love them so much I decided to try a large journal with double-needle coptic stitching. I've re-read this wonderful thread many times and am ready to start sewing on a 5 folio Tomoe River journal. How do you determine how much thread you will need for each pair of needles?

 

Thats great 'Tortoise' ,

 

You must be enjoying the great satisfaction it brings ... making your own journals ...

 

as to your question,

frankly , I don't know.

 

When I stitched my first journal or two, I noted the length of thread needed.

That was what I did.

I haven't changed my stitching dimensions since ,

 

Perhaps the bookbinders amongst us should be able to provide some answers.

I am sure there's some kind of formula.

I just tried calculating 'theoretically' , but couldn't reach the actual length I always use.

 

For what I am doing (7 signatures) , my thread lengths are 44 inches per pair of sewing stations.(two-needle Coptic technique)

(my sewing stations are a little over an inch apart and the cover pierced holes are about slightly over half an inch from the spine edge)

 

My experience is that thinner threads use up less length, given the same sewing station dimensions , etc.

[TMLee]

This is Journal 121C "GEMATEX - Indian Red" made on order.

 

anyway,

I cant wait to see how it fits into its beautiful custom jacket .

If it works, I'll order one custom made leather jacket too .......

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2010%20JOURNALS/GEMATEX%20SERIES/Journal%20121%20GEMATEX%20-%20Indian%20Red/Journal%20121C%20GEMATEX%20Indian%20Red/003.jpg

 

 

For those of you wondering whats the outcome ....

here it is ...

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/248538-tmlee-journal-with-zenokleather-cover/?p=2715947

 

The leather jacket is beautiful.

I want to try making one myself, but I dont know how to work leather

[gmax]

I am now the lucky owner of Journal 170B L "Happy Dragonflies" that appears on page 40 of this thread

 

The materials and craftsmanship are superb, and as a bonus I received several loose sheets of Tomoe River paper which I've been able to use for ink testing. The paper is absolutely stunning and theres no bleedthrough even from a very wet OBB nib

 

Thank you TMLee, and watch out - I'll be talking to you sometime soon about an A5 journal

[TMLee]

I am now the lucky owner of Journal 170B L "Happy Dragonflies" that appears on page 40 of this thread

 

The materials and craftsmanship are superb, and as a bonus I received several loose sheets of Tomoe River paper which I've been able to use for ink testing. The paper is absolutely stunning and theres no bleedthrough even from a very wet OBB nib

 

Thank you TMLee, and watch out - I'll be talking to you sometime soon about an A5 journal

 

Thank you gmax for your kind words.

 

Enjoy your journal.

And yes the TR paper is awesome.

[Scriptorium Pens]

TMLee encouraged me to post pics of my first handmade journal attempts, so I decided to be brave and do it. It’s great fun making them, and even more satisfying to write in a journal I’ve made myself, even if it doesn’t look all that great.

These are all 8½” x 5½” size. I tried a notebook style first, using Earthdawn’s tutorial, with Rhodia blank paper and 65 lb. card stock for the cover. When my Tomoe River Paper arrived, it had been squashed in one corner, so I figured I couldn’t hurt it any more and tried a blue notebook with it. I put the extra stitches over the ends of the spine as TMLee did in his, and it was a good thing because my kitten kept trying to eat the ends of the notebook.

For the 3rd one, I went for the double-needle Coptic stitch, using the information in Keith Smith’s books. The cover is made of legal pad chipboard, covered with olive card stock, with the flyleaves in a terra-cotta card stock. Pages are Tomoe River, 5 signatures. Despite my best efforts, the piercings on the flyleaves and covers don’t exactly match up, so my threading is off. The stitching is laughable, with no telling how many errors, but it holds the thing together! I’m going to keep trying because it’s so fun and challenging. I’ll get it right someday. Actually, making the journals was easier than making the piercing cradle.

I encourage everyone to try it. The little single signature notebooks take less than 30 minutes to make. It will give you a great appreciation for the art and skill that real bookbinders like TMLee have!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TMLee]

 

TMLee encouraged me to post pics of my first handmade journal attempts, so I decided to be brave and do it. It’s great fun making them, and even more satisfying to write in a journal I’ve made myself, even if it doesn’t look all that great.

These are all 8½” x 5½” size. I tried a notebook style first, using Earthdawn’s tutorial, with Rhodia blank paper and 65 lb. card stock for the cover. When my Tomoe River Paper arrived, it had been squashed in one corner, so I figured I couldn’t hurt it any more and tried a blue notebook with it. I put the extra stitches over the ends of the spine as TMLee did in his, and it was a good thing because my kitten kept trying to eat the ends of the notebook.

For the 3rd one, I went for the double-needle Coptic stitch, using the information in Keith Smith’s books. The cover is made of legal pad chipboard, covered with olive card stock, with the flyleaves in a terra-cotta card stock. Pages are Tomoe River, 5 signatures. Despite my best efforts, the piercings on the flyleaves and covers don’t exactly match up, so my threading is off. The stitching is laughable, with no telling how many errors, but it holds the thing together! I’m going to keep trying because it’s so fun and challenging. I’ll get it right someday. Actually, making the journals was easier than making the piercing cradle.

I encourage everyone to try it. The little single signature notebooks take less than 30 minutes to make. It will give you a great appreciation for the art and skill that real bookbinders like TMLee have!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bravo 'tortoise',

they look pretty good for a first effort.

 

You can only improve from here on ....

 

To get the stitches lined up with the covers, I mark the bookblock with covers in position .

Then remove for piercing.

 

Well done.

And yes, it's great satisfaction using your own journals.

[TMLee]

Wha happened to all my pics?