Bookcraft: Techniques for Binding, Folding, and Decorating to Create Books and More

by Heather Weston

Binding, folding, and decorating techniques to create beautiful artists’ books and more From heirloom memories to unique journals, albums, and altered books—or simple tag books for your kids— Bookcraft contains all the skills you will ever need. Books are a central part of life, and have been with us for around 2,000 years. Although most books we use are produced commercially, many of us are drawn to the book form in its various guises, and are interested in exploring how to make books of our own, whether as a vehicle for telling stories, as scrapbooks, or as notebooks and journals. This guide provides the essential ingredients for designing and making your own books, from simple binding and finishing techniques to complex complete products. Projects are designed to suit a variety of skill levels from beginner to advanced, and use a step-by-step approach to learning the necessary skills. Each project begins with basic techniques and progresses through to thought-provoking applications of those techniques. Each technique includes an example of a finished book that fully and beautifully utilizes the methods described by the techniques. This book explores more experimental binding and page treatment techniques, and has a comprehensive gallery of ideas outlining the skills and materials needed to apply techniques often reserved for professionals.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Art, Reference, Books About Books, How To

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is something I've always wanted to try, but I have never been able to find a really great resource. This is probably the best one I've come across, but it doesn't have all of the bindings I'm interested in. I can really do without all the artsy books as well. I simply have absolutely no interest in creating something like that and I'm not really interested in looking at them either. Oh well, the other thing that's holding me back is all the equipment! I just don't have the money for all that stuff. I will do this one day!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book provides a bit more history of various book forms and includes some more unusual forms, such as carousel and tunnel books, along with how to use paper cutting and folding techniques in the books you make.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for a beginner!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skimmed this title for book binding tips -- very clear instructions with photos showing each step of the binding process. Helpful resource for those new to bookbinding!

[Buchdoktor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Weston, die einen Master of Arts in Buchkunst am Londoner College of Arts erwarb, führt vom Einfachen zum Anspruchsvollen in die Kunst des Buchbindens ein. Zahlreiche Abbildungen zeigen die nötigen Werkzeuge, Papiere, Einbandmaterialien und Kleistervarianten. Die einfache Heftung wird anhand eines Ganzleinenbandes mit einer Lage gezeigt; die aussagekräftigen Abbildungen benötigen zur Erklärung nur einen knappen Text. Die Proportionen von Buchblock, Einbandpappe und Überzugsmaterial sind deutlich zu erkennen. Ein Deckenband mit mehreren Lagen wird als Halbleinenband gefertigt. Übersichtlich ist das benötigte Material aufgelistet und anschaulich wird gezeigt, wie ohne Heftlade an der Tischkante geheftet werden kann. Eine einfache Klebebindung, eine Bindung mit Buchschrauben und die japanische Blockheftung werden vorgestellt. Wer die klassischen Modelle beherrscht, kann sich am Doppelbuch versuchen oder an Flaggenbuch und Karussellbuch, die beide auf der Leporelloform basieren. Die Mappe mit Klappen und Bändern wird plausibel erklärt, alle Einzelteile und ihre Maße übersichtlich aufgelistet. Eine besondere Herausforderung bietet ein Buch mit einer Landschaft auf hintereinanderliegenden Ebenen, die mit dem Papiermesser geschnitten und als gefaltetes Leporello in die Buchdecke eingehängt wird. Während Reliefs zum Schmuck der Einbanddecke selbst aus Pappe geschnitten werden können, muss der ambitionierte Buchbinder Klischees oder Stempel aus Metall zur Verzierung der Buchdecke im Fachbetrieb anfertigen lassen. Spiralfalz und einfaches Pop-Up bilden den Übergang zu Objekten der Autorin und weiteren Buchkünstlern, die auf der Grenze zwischen Buch und Kunstobjekt angesiedelt sind. Das Infinity Book von Anne Rizk (hier als Kunstobjekt abgebildet), das auf einer Leporellofaltung beruht, kann auch von Anfängern gearbeitet werden. Die Literaturliste im Anhang empfiehlt ausgewählte Klassiker der Buchbindeliteratur und führt vier bewährte Bezugsquellen für Buchbindematerial auf.

Heather Weston zeigt, wie Anfänger mit einfachen Mitteln selbst Bücher in zeitgemäßem Design binden können und regt Könner an, sich an neue Formen zu wagen. Die meisten Arbeitsgänge werden schon durch die zahlreichen Abbildungen von selbst erklärt. An Stellen, an denen besonders sorgfältig gearbeitet werden muss (z. B. die Ecken der Buchdecke), wären weitere Detailzeichnungen hilfreich gewesen - wie eine andere Rezentin schon feststellte. Besonders zu loben sind die Auflistung des benötigten Materials und der Maße der einzelnen Komponenten für jedes Werkstück. Insgesamt eine lohnende Anschaffung.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love books that show step by step tutorials with photography rather than drawn diagrams. There's something about seeing the process "live" rather than theoretically. It makes it a lot easier to copy and thus learn a technique a lot easily.

I think this book has the easiest explanation of a pamphlet stitch I've seen; it was really easy to do, which is great since I had to bind a book just hours before it was due!

Rating: 3.5/5

[Ezekiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes bookmaking seem both really appealing and doable. Just what I want from a book about a craft. Not to mention the glorious examples at the end. I found myself pondering how exactly I would do something like the examples, and then (and even better) how to create a conceptual piece that would be entirely my own.

[Mads P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with how few binding techniques are in this book. I ended up ordering Alisa Golden's "Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms" right after buying this one and I'm finding that Golden's book has much more detailed instructions and many more binding techniques.

[Steen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all my bookbinding titles, this is my favorite. It is not only well-written with clear instructions, it also lacks the cheese factor that plagues most craft books.

The true test - I have actually created genuine, finished projects using Bookcraft. That's the strongest endorsement, trust me!

[HadiDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books: to read and to write in. Used to make my own notebooks many many years ago and this has inspired me to do it again and provided simple instructions to do so. Going to buy a copy of my very own.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some cool techniques, including embossing and making pop-up staircases. Sad that all of the examples use "virgin" books instead of altered books.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good for beginners. Full color photos showing all the steps which are clearly written. Explains all the supplies. Variety of binding types.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful, informative and fun book. Another one to add to the "to buy" pile.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too intense of projects for me to do...they look great, but complicated! There are great tips for making books though!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, good fun!

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better examples of both ideas and general book binding.

[K. Blaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book-binding reference. Nice color pictures, and doesn't omit too many steps.

[Janni]

A really nice introduction to bookbinding -- so far, I'm really having fun with it.