... homemade journal ...

[NevynM]

Cool. Thank You!

[Cognaticrotty]

How do I go about commissioning you to make one for me?

[TMLee]

How do I go about commissioning you to make one for me?

 

 

Thank you for your interest

 

Contact me backchannel at tmleem4 at gmail dot com

 

There is usually a lot of discussion towards finalizing the design.

[NevynM]

Another pretty random question. The fly sheet. It's (obviously) attached to the cover. Does it also attach to the first/last section?

[TMLee]

Another pretty random question. The fly sheet. It's (obviously) attached to the cover. Does it also attach to the first/last section?

 

For the journals that I make, only along the spine , on the outside.

 

You can leave it unglued.

It is not a must.

It does not affect the strength of the binding.

You decide which is more preferred.

 

[NevynM]

Cool. I have a great big long PDF that I want to print out to read, so it's going to get printed in sections, and I'm going to give this binding a go. If that works, I can then move onto more useful books

 

You really are an inspiration on this thread, these are so immaculately executed.

[TMLee]

Cool. I have a great big long PDF that I want to print out to read, so it's going to get printed in sections, and I'm going to give this binding a go. If that works, I can then move onto more useful books

 

You really are an inspiration on this thread, these are so immaculately executed.

 

 

Ah .. I see ...

 

That shld be interesting !

 

( I can never figure out how to print in booklet format - you know - getting the pagination right ...)

[TMLee]

This one's on commission ...

 

The Owner mailed me this fabric to be made into a journal ...

 

A5 size ...

 

Beautiful print ...

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/001_zpsd6dd7c08.jpg

 

 

closeup of the Geishas ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/003_zpse43b53d0.jpg

 

 

 

we decided on rust stitches and matching flyleaves ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/005_zpsf9cf68b9.jpg

 

 

After using the choicest part ,

the leftover

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/014_zpsec152f6b.jpg

 

 

I decided to use as much as possible the remnants ...

Turned a nice part into a bookmark ...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/002_zps07bc81d7.jpg

 

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/003_zps62961d00.jpg

 

 

And this time I also decided to use some more to turn into the hinges for the pocket ...

I doubt if it will be translucent to let in light ...

but Its worth the effort to have the hinges co-ordinated...

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/001_zpsacf20038.jpg

 

 

I think its gonna be a nice journal

 

 

 

now the remnants ...

wonder how else it can be used?

http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o704/tmleem4/JOURNALS/2014/197%20Geishas/004_zpseb8dc2a9.jpg

Edited July 15, 2014 by TMLee

[fountainpagan]

Hummmm I am savouring, savouring...

Beautiful, Lee.

Yes, I wonder how the remains could be used...

[NevynM]

( I can never figure out how to print in booklet format - you know - getting the pagination right ...)

 

I found http://quantumelephant.co.uk/bookbinder/bookbinder.html which will take a PDF document, and split it into multiple files, either one or two for each section, depending on if you have a duplexing printer. Looks to do the job quite nicely.

[TMLee]

 

I found http://quantumelephant.co.uk/bookbinder/bookbinder.html which will take a PDF document, and split it into multiple files, either one or two for each section, depending on if you have a duplexing printer. Looks to do the job quite nicely.

 

 

Thanks a lot !

 

This is useful !

 

printer settings can be challenging though ...

 

 

Now I have a feasible way of putting into order all of my personal notes and lessons learnt in crafting journals.

That will be highly satisfying ...

[NevynM]

printer settings can be challenging though ...

 

Yes! It produces one PDF per section though (or two if you are manually duplexing) so at least you aren't printing *that* many pages in each test run

[Nonstickron]

I'm in love with that Escher grey and red one. I need to learn to make these. I have four 900-sheet boxes of 148gsm 23x35 matte reply card stock that they were getting rid of at work. A LOT of paper...enough for tons of these journals. I've tested it and it works pretty good with my Lamy fine, not great but definitely not bad. Smooth paper, gives a wider line than on some papers I've tried, but no feathering or bleed through. I've started journaling in an old spiral sketchpad while I drool over the 1917s and the rhodias...but this could be a viable alternative for me.

 

Must...

 

learn...

 

how!

 

Also, here's a diagram I made to show how printer spreads should be set up in your document.

https://www.behance.net/fpngallery/15638721/Book-Booklet-Printer-Spread-Key

 

If you guys still need help, theres functionality in both InDesign and Acrobat to export a document set up as reader spreads, as printer spreads. I do stuff like that for a living, so let me know if you need help.

[Nonstickron]

Watched some YouTube vids. I think I can do this.

[TMLee]

I'm in love with that Escher grey and red one. I need to learn to make these. I have four 900-sheet boxes of 148gsm 23x35 matte reply card stock that they were getting rid of at work. A LOT of paper...enough for tons of these journals. I've tested it and it works pretty good with my Lamy fine, not great but definitely not bad. Smooth paper, gives a wider line than on some papers I've tried, but no feathering or bleed through. I've started journaling in an old spiral sketchpad while I drool over the 1917s and the rhodias...but this could be a viable alternative for me.

 

Must...

 

learn...

 

how!

 

Also, here's a diagram I made to show how printer spreads should be set up in your document.

https://www.behance.net/fpngallery/15638721/Book-Booklet-Printer-Spread-Key

 

If you guys still need help, theres functionality in both InDesign and Acrobat to export a document set up as reader spreads, as printer spreads. I do stuff like that for a living, so let me know if you need help.

 

 

Watched some YouTube vids. I think I can do this.

 

 

Thanks Nonstickron,

The chart helps one visualize ...

 

148gsm ...

Hmmmm ...

I think its a little thick.

You may encounter some resistance when folding the Signatures or Folios.

 

Yes, video clips are wonderfully instructive ...

yes , go give it a try ,

its very rewarding ..

 

I recommend you start with a basic coptic stitch just to get a hang of things.

other than learning by trial and error,

The first thing you will learn is the tools that you need or lack

The other major lesson is the workmanship itself - which takes a longer time (and lots of patience) to improve or master.

 

 

start with say 3 Signatures, coptic stitch (single needle method)

 

You will end up making a couple of 'booklets'.

use them for anything , or

Give them away to let others do a 'test drive' ...

 

Good luck , have fun ....

[Nonstickron]

I've been slowly working my way through this thread. I'm not finished yet but I have a few questions, that maybe get answered further along.

 

1. The pockets, especially the ones that use the last page as the backing, how are they attached at the right edge. I see how to do the accordion but not the bottom of the barrel so to speak.

 

2. I can't seem to locate any instruction on 2-needle method online. Do you know of any?

 

3. Curved corner covers, do you have a template for the cuts of the cover skin to get it to wrap flat?

 

4. The ribbons on the open spine books with the ribbon showing through one of the signatures, how is that attached? Why is it there?

 

5. I know you use that pva glue for the spine, but what about the rest of it? Same glue to glue in fly leaves? And the pocket?

 

I think that's it so far. I'm gathering supplies right now. I have some thin plastic hobby boards to use as covers, my fiancé has a ton of fabric and ribbon I can pillage for covers, I have a cutting surface, exacto...I have some thread that I'm hoping is thick enough, a friend with beehives is going to give me a ome wax. I have a lifetime supply of thick white paper I can probably use for sigtatures, fly leaves and pockets. I think I have an awl somewhere...

 

I need glue, binding needles, bone folder would be nice but I can probably do without it for now...I've been just using my thumbnail to crease folds my whole life.

[TMLee]

class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nonstickron" data-cid="3057355" data-time="1405858119">

I've been slowly working my way through this thread. I'm not finished yet but I have a few questions, that maybe get answered further along.

1. The pockets, especially the ones that use the last page as the backing, how are they attached at the right edge. I see how to do the accordion but not the bottom of the barrel so to speak.

 

 

The pocket is fabricated as a unit, using same material as the flyleaves.

Then it gets glued onto the rear covers.

 

 

 

2. I can't seem to locate any instruction on 2-needle method online. Do you know of any?

 

A fellow FPNer added the link to this excellent clip ...

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page-47?do=findComment&comment=2892655

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Curved corner covers, do you have a template for the cuts of the cover skin to get it to wrap flat?

 

 

I call this the foldover.

No need to cut the curved shape.

You need to make pleats (around 4 or 5 pleats) to negotiate the curve, as you glue them down when you foldover.

After that, I clamp them flat overnight to flatten these folded pleats.

Its worth the time spent clamping.

 

 

 

4. The ribbons on the open spine books with the ribbon showing through one of the signatures, how is that attached? Why is it there?

 

Described here ...

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/28367-homemade-journal/page-33?do=findComment&comment=2377912

 

 

 

 

 

5. I know you use that pva glue for the spine, but what about the rest of it? Same glue to glue in fly leaves? And the pocket?

 

 

Yes same glue.

 

 

 

 

I think that's it so far. I'm gathering supplies right now. I have some thin plastic hobby boards to use as covers, my fiancé has a ton of fabric and ribbon I can pillage for covers, I have a cutting surface, exacto...I have some thread that I'm hoping is thick enough, a friend with beehives is going to give me a ome wax. I have a lifetime supply of thick white paper I can probably use for sigtatures, fly leaves and pockets. I think I have an awl somewhere...

I need glue, binding needles, bone folder would be nice but I can probably do without it for now...I've been just using my thumbnail to crease folds my whole life.

 

 

 

 

Better to get a real bone bonefolder.

plus

a teflon one.

 

Good luck

 

 

 

 

 

[Nonstickron]

Thanks. Been slowly reading through and processing for two days and hadn't gotten that far yet. Hehe.

[Nonstickron]

TMLee, I started my own thread so as not to pirate yours with my own progress. I'd appreciate an input you have over there.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/270534-journals-by-me-for-me/

 

Also, when gluing the fabric to the cover board, I'm guessing you glue the entire board and then put in on the face down fabric to begin with? Then trim the fabric and glue up the flaps?

[TMLee]

class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nonstickron" data-cid="3058171" data-time="1405912116">

TMLee, I started my own thread so as not to pirate yours with my own progress. I'd appreciate an input you have over there.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/270534-journals-by-me-for-me/

 

sure

 

 

 

Also, when gluing the fabric to the cover board, I'm guessing you glue the entire board and then put in on the face down fabric to begin with? Then trim the fabric and glue up the flaps?

 

 

One of the principles when glueing , is always to apply glue on the denser material.

So yes, apply the glue on the greyboard,

then

flip over and lay it onto the fabric.

 

You can either pre-cut the fabric to exact size BEFORE glueing (which I do)

or

trim off the excess fabric AFTER glueing.

either way works.

 

there's definitely pros and cons such as reducing wastage.

but the larger reason for my pre-cut method is that I usually pick out a particular part of the fabric that I want to see being featured on the covers.

Edited July 21, 2014 by TMLee