So, I fell down a rabbit's hole, and I don't regret it one bit, I would go back if I could, but alas, I don't have time, and the posts must go on! So, this is what I have found.
There is a TON! of different kinds of binding I can do. The simplest seems to be the hole punch method (also called stab binding), Amy Robinson at http://amyrobison.com/ had a great tutorial about this method. It seems fairly easy to do, something I could teach my students. However, I am looking for a challenge for myself, so I kept looking. (P.S. the link will take you to her tutorial, it really is wonderful)
The second most difficult (and highly versatile in regards to pattern) is the Japanese style, which follows the hole punch method shown above, but the stitching is much more intricate, to say the least. Take a look at the header photo from Erin Zam from flikr I found it on Ruth Bleakley's blog, but Erin has a blog of her own as well. Both of these tutorials could come in very handy if I should decide to do this style.
The Onion Skin binding, which is the beginning of the gluing methods, is not terrible difficult BUT it does require a lot of cutting and math and precision, three things I am not very good at. Though this binding method is fun to look at, and maybe one day I'll get to do this. (Look at the LEFT picture for a reference, the picture comes from Benjamin Elbel)
The next method I looked at was the coptic stitch binding method, and in my opinion this is as advanced as it gets. I mean you have to get a binding jig (bottom picture take from SF Books Craftsman) this is a beautiful method, and very secure and "official" looking. However, I do not have the means to make the necessary equipment yet. Big "yet" because I want to do this eventually. Just not yet. (look at the RIGHT picturefor a reference, the picture comes from the Tate Guide Collection)
There is a TON! of different kinds of binding I can do. The simplest seems to be the hole punch method (also called stab binding), Amy Robinson at http://amyrobison.com/ had a great tutorial about this method. It seems fairly easy to do, something I could teach my students. However, I am looking for a challenge for myself, so I kept looking. (P.S. the link will take you to her tutorial, it really is wonderful)
The second most difficult (and highly versatile in regards to pattern) is the Japanese style, which follows the hole punch method shown above, but the stitching is much more intricate, to say the least. Take a look at the header photo from Erin Zam from flikr I found it on Ruth Bleakley's blog, but Erin has a blog of her own as well. Both of these tutorials could come in very handy if I should decide to do this style.
The Onion Skin binding, which is the beginning of the gluing methods, is not terrible difficult BUT it does require a lot of cutting and math and precision, three things I am not very good at. Though this binding method is fun to look at, and maybe one day I'll get to do this. (Look at the LEFT picture for a reference, the picture comes from Benjamin Elbel)
The next method I looked at was the coptic stitch binding method, and in my opinion this is as advanced as it gets. I mean you have to get a binding jig (bottom picture take from SF Books Craftsman) this is a beautiful method, and very secure and "official" looking. However, I do not have the means to make the necessary equipment yet. Big "yet" because I want to do this eventually. Just not yet. (look at the RIGHT picturefor a reference, the picture comes from the Tate Guide Collection)
So there are a lot of different options, including piano hinge and structure hinge, but there is not a lot of time for that. So this is what I have decided to do for the remainder of the blogs...
I am going to attempt two different styles of Japanese stab binding. Next week, which is Blog #2, will be a "practice" book where I attempt the basic Japanese stab binding (picture at the end comes from Brigitte Schuster blog). Blog #3 will also be a "practice" book, but with a more difficult stitching method, I have not decided on which one yet, so that will remain a mystery. Blog #4 will take a slight detour into the land of paper making, because I found some research about that, got really jazzed, and now I'm doing it, as if I didn't have enough to do already. Oh Well. The paper that I make in Blog #4 will be used in Blog #5 when I make a final book and decide which of the two stitch methods is my favorite.
As I wrap up this post, here are some of the questions I have answered so far.
1. How expensive is this? - Depends on what kind of binding you are wanting to do and what equipment you already have. For the Japanese Stab Binding that I am doing, I will be spending about 17.00 - 20.00 dollars depending on the kind of paper and thread I get.
2. Are there enough online blogs and tutorials to cover my lack of knowledge? - There is a TON of information in the form of blogs, tutorials, videos, and images that I can learn from online.
3. Are there different kinds/styles of book binding? (see ... lack of knowledge) - Yes, yes there is. Read the post above to learn some, go to my Pinterest board to learn more.
4. Is there a potential to hurt myself? - Yes, I am using a needle and a small shank. This is a possibility. Keep band aids handy.
5. How quickly does book binding happen? - For the first time? I don't know yet, I'll find out soon.
6. Is there a "master" local book binder I can learn from? - Don't know yet.
7. What am I going to create, a journal, a binding of my students work, a collection of poems that inspire me? - I have some ideas, but I'm not settled yet.
8. Is this more difficult the bigger the book gets? - I don't know this yet, since each practice book will get bigger, I will find this out as I go.
9. How expensive is nice leather for a cover material? - I've decided not to do leather, because good leather runs $55-$200, and bad leather falls apart too quickly to be "useful"
10. Is leather an acceptable cover material or is there something better? - there are a lot of better materials out there like fabric, paper, and cardboard.
Wish me luck.
I am going to attempt two different styles of Japanese stab binding. Next week, which is Blog #2, will be a "practice" book where I attempt the basic Japanese stab binding (picture at the end comes from Brigitte Schuster blog). Blog #3 will also be a "practice" book, but with a more difficult stitching method, I have not decided on which one yet, so that will remain a mystery. Blog #4 will take a slight detour into the land of paper making, because I found some research about that, got really jazzed, and now I'm doing it, as if I didn't have enough to do already. Oh Well. The paper that I make in Blog #4 will be used in Blog #5 when I make a final book and decide which of the two stitch methods is my favorite.
As I wrap up this post, here are some of the questions I have answered so far.
1. How expensive is this? - Depends on what kind of binding you are wanting to do and what equipment you already have. For the Japanese Stab Binding that I am doing, I will be spending about 17.00 - 20.00 dollars depending on the kind of paper and thread I get.
2. Are there enough online blogs and tutorials to cover my lack of knowledge? - There is a TON of information in the form of blogs, tutorials, videos, and images that I can learn from online.
3. Are there different kinds/styles of book binding? (see ... lack of knowledge) - Yes, yes there is. Read the post above to learn some, go to my Pinterest board to learn more.
4. Is there a potential to hurt myself? - Yes, I am using a needle and a small shank. This is a possibility. Keep band aids handy.
5. How quickly does book binding happen? - For the first time? I don't know yet, I'll find out soon.
6. Is there a "master" local book binder I can learn from? - Don't know yet.
7. What am I going to create, a journal, a binding of my students work, a collection of poems that inspire me? - I have some ideas, but I'm not settled yet.
8. Is this more difficult the bigger the book gets? - I don't know this yet, since each practice book will get bigger, I will find this out as I go.
9. How expensive is nice leather for a cover material? - I've decided not to do leather, because good leather runs $55-$200, and bad leather falls apart too quickly to be "useful"
10. Is leather an acceptable cover material or is there something better? - there are a lot of better materials out there like fabric, paper, and cardboard.
Wish me luck.