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$ $ $ $ $
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• • • • •
Time
30 mins

Save pennies by binding your own sketchbooks.
Life costs too much already without all the creative supplies we need to keep going. Binding your own sketchbooks could help save you some pennies.

Posted by Cat Morley from London, United Kingdom • Published See Cat Morley's 1146 projects »
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  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 1
    Step 1

    Seperate your paper in to equal piles. Make 3 or more piles consiting of 5 or more sheets. You can use any kind of paper you like. Fold each of the piles in half. These are called signatures. Make 3 or more signatures depending upon how much paper you have and how big you want your sketchbook to be.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 2
    Step 2

    You will need a sheet of card for your cover. This should be atleast 2cm longer than your sheets or paper and about 1cm wider.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 3
    Step 3

    Draw out the spine in the center of the card. The spine should measure �cm for each signature. So if you are using 4 signatures the spine should measure 2cm etc. Score along the lines of your spine and fold in to the shape of the cover.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 4
    Step 4

    Mark out 4 lines in on the inside spine of your cover. The lines nearest the edges so be atleast 2cm away from the edge and the rest should be spaced equally. Mark these 1, 2, 3 + 4 working down.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 5
    Step 5

    Cut slits along each of the lines.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 6
    Step 6

    Take the signatures and mark the equivelent 1, 2, 3 and 4 points. Make holes at these points using a pin.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 7
    Step 7

    Thread up a needle with some dental floss. You will need 2x the height of the spine for each signature that you are using.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 8
    Step 8

    Thread through point 3, leave a long tail. Go around the outside of the signature and enter through point 4.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 9
    Step 9

    Loop around the bottom of the cover and thread through the back of point 4 on the cover.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 10
    Step 10

    Thread back through point 4 on the signature.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 11
    Step 11

    Thread down through point 3 of the signature and the cover.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 12
    Step 12

    Thread on the outside through point 2 of the cover and the signature.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 13
    Step 13

    Turn the book over and tie the tail and the thread together.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 14
    Step 14

    Thread through point 1 of the signature and the cover.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 15
    Step 15

    Thread up over the top and back through point 1, down through point 2, around the outside of the cover of the signature but not the cover.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 16
    Step 16

    Thread back through point 3 on the cover, but nor the signature. You are at the point where you started. Take another signature and repeat the threading process.

  • How to make a bound book. Binding Books - Step 17
    Step 17

    When you have added all of your signatures. Tie the end of the thread around one of the bound pieces of thread and in to a knot. All you have to do now is cover your book. You can use wrapping paper, posters, fabric or even ribbons.

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Comments

Rae Rae The Jet Plane
Rae Rae The Jet Plane · Los Angeles, California, US · 1 project
This is great! Do you know the name of this type of binding? It normally takes me reading three different tutorials to wrap my head around it.
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angelichigo
angelichigo · Toronto, Ontario, CA · 21 projects
I always wanted to know how to bind like this. Thanks so much!
Reply
Blank
Blank · Tasmania, Tasmania, AU
nice, thanks for this. I love the patterns on the covers of your books .
Reply
Lipthink
Lipthink · Austin, Texas, US · 11 projects
I've been looking for a how too for this. Great details! I'll go give this a try.
Reply
Caroline S.
Caroline S.
Really clear and helpful tutorial - thank you!
Reply
Jasmin N.
Jasmin N. · Campbell River, British Columbia, CA · 9 projects
I love it, i've been looking for something like this for a while. I don't draw, i write (and doodle with my horrid stick men in the corners) and it will make a great personalised notebook for jotting down ideas!
Reply
Cat Morley
Cat Morley · London, GB · 1432 projects
Yeah, I guess someone doesn't get the whole DIY thing!
Reply
Courtney Couture
Courtney Couture · Keller, Texas, US · 20 projects
geez ruari, chill! if you dont like it, dont say anything!
i personlly think its cool!
Reply

ruairi donovan

buy a folder!
gosh!
Reply

Amy

You might consider adressing grain direction at the beginning--this will help folks get better results when folding--particularly the card.
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