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Bookbinding: A How To Guide
[**BLACK & WHITE EDITION] Have you ever wanted to make your very own personalized journal, sketchbook, or traveler's notebook? Learn the basics of bookbinding with this step-by-step guide. Accompanied by over 250 high-resolution photographs, this guide will teach you the language of bookbinding, a number of book stitching techniques, how to make a travel journal or sketchbook, and how to make a fine, leather-bound, hardcover book from scratch. Bookbinding is a great hobby for any age or background, fusing a number of unique crafts like leatherwork, paper craft, and needlework. If you love do-it-yourself activities or arts and crafts you will love what this book has to offer!
- GenresNonfictionCrafts
126 pages, Paperback
Published December 24, 2017
148 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 15, 2023
The rating for this book is given specifically for the precise, easy to follow instructions. A well presented guide that inspires new project ideas. I feel I will be able to master these techniques with continued practice.
January 25, 2024
I bought the paperback version. After reading, I wished I had purchased the hardback version in full color. Still five stars for the detailed and easy to follow instructions as well as the knowledge and history imparted. Money well spent. I'm excited to make my first attempt.
January 25, 2024
Very solid beginner advice. This book definitely focuses more on leather binding but still has a lot of useful information. I think the biggest thing you can learn from this book is the terminology used and materials needed to begin binding.
April 22, 2023
Good info; minor formatting issues
Well presented; easily understood. Most of this info can of course be found online, but not necessarily all in one place. This book is a solid beginning for the new book-binding hobbiest. The ebook has a couple of places where a photograph blocks or partially blocks text (using a 10" Kindle display).
Well presented; easily understood. Most of this info can of course be found online, but not necessarily all in one place. This book is a solid beginning for the new book-binding hobbiest. The ebook has a couple of places where a photograph blocks or partially blocks text (using a 10" Kindle display).
November 3, 2019
Disappointed
Could not read on my kindle device. Was listed in kindle unlimited, but was not device friendly, more like a photocopy of a book, which did not allow for easy reading.
Could not read on my kindle device. Was listed in kindle unlimited, but was not device friendly, more like a photocopy of a book, which did not allow for easy reading.
August 1, 2023
Very nice!
This author has managed what many aspire to, but few ever achieve; he has written a book that is rich in technical detail yet is never tedious or boring. The photos illustrating each step and every tool are a tremendous help.
In the back of the book are several websites you can copy and paste into a browser. They aren't linked, as this book wasn't originally an ebook (see below). I checked them out, they are good shops. I'd also add that there are several how-to videos on YouTube on how to build your own sewing frame. If you are making your own books, you are probably handy enough to make your own frame out of wood. BTW, they are ridiculously expensive to purchase, the real wood (i.e., not particle board) ones start at $250. I estimate it costing $50 in materials and 2 to 3 hours of time, depending which kind you make and what power tools you have on hand. Not counting staining, varnishing, etc.
The only drawback to this book is that it was published as a physical book first, then scanned. How can I tell? All the "text blocks" are in the same photo as the other photos, there is no table of contents, and the typeface cannot be adjusted by the Kindle app.
Let's call it a single star off for being scanned in because it has earned those other 9 stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyable for all ages!
This author has managed what many aspire to, but few ever achieve; he has written a book that is rich in technical detail yet is never tedious or boring. The photos illustrating each step and every tool are a tremendous help.
In the back of the book are several websites you can copy and paste into a browser. They aren't linked, as this book wasn't originally an ebook (see below). I checked them out, they are good shops. I'd also add that there are several how-to videos on YouTube on how to build your own sewing frame. If you are making your own books, you are probably handy enough to make your own frame out of wood. BTW, they are ridiculously expensive to purchase, the real wood (i.e., not particle board) ones start at $250. I estimate it costing $50 in materials and 2 to 3 hours of time, depending which kind you make and what power tools you have on hand. Not counting staining, varnishing, etc.
The only drawback to this book is that it was published as a physical book first, then scanned. How can I tell? All the "text blocks" are in the same photo as the other photos, there is no table of contents, and the typeface cannot be adjusted by the Kindle app.
Let's call it a single star off for being scanned in because it has earned those other 9 stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyable for all ages!
March 4, 2020
This would be a good starting point for someone wanting to get into bookbinding as a hobby. However, the author himself is a hobbyist, and I find that some of his instructions do not reflect the practices owed by more experienced or professional bookbinders. For instance, when attaching the cover boards, he had you putting glue on the end page rather than the cover board. Still, overall a good resource.
I will note, however, that the Kindle version of this book is apparently from a pdf, so it has a set format. That’s useful in the sense that images stay with the appropriate, but it also means that the text is not reflowable or resizeable, and TTS is not available.
I will note, however, that the Kindle version of this book is apparently from a pdf, so it has a set format. That’s useful in the sense that images stay with the appropriate, but it also means that the text is not reflowable or resizeable, and TTS is not available.
March 31, 2020
Straightforward
Found this book relatively easy to follow through and a good companion to various online tutorials. The photographs are clear and useful and altogether an adequate and helpful resource for someone looking to 'tidy up' beginner skills.
Wish I'd had this when I started. Highly recommend.
Found this book relatively easy to follow through and a good companion to various online tutorials. The photographs are clear and useful and altogether an adequate and helpful resource for someone looking to 'tidy up' beginner skills.
Wish I'd had this when I started. Highly recommend.
March 29, 2019
Good basic information
This book presents very basic binding information. To an inspired novice, it would be necessary to supplement their skills and knowledge with hands-on classes or more books and tutorials. There are some fantastic books out there to explore.
This book presents very basic binding information. To an inspired novice, it would be necessary to supplement their skills and knowledge with hands-on classes or more books and tutorials. There are some fantastic books out there to explore.
February 17, 2023
Great Instruction Manual
This book is fantastic for beginners, it has pictures for every step of the bookbinding process. The instructions are very simple and easy to follow. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about the techniques.
This book is fantastic for beginners, it has pictures for every step of the bookbinding process. The instructions are very simple and easy to follow. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about the techniques.
January 14, 2026
I went through a bunch of books trying to find one that worked for me. One said beginner but was clearly not. SO many had no pictures showing what they were talking about! This one is actually beginner friendly, easy to read, and I was able to use it for projects.
December 26, 2020
This was just what I needed for working on my beginning skills in this craft. It covers a good variety of topics for someone starting out with bookbinding and it is easy to follow.
January 31, 2021
Definitely a good and easy read if you’re trying to get into book binding. I can’t wait to get started!
May 27, 2020
Can’t wait to start
I have been bookbinding on and off for a few years now but I have never taken it super seriously. This book has a really helpful in depth look into a few different styles of book binding and will be helpful for my projects and getting them to look right.
I have been bookbinding on and off for a few years now but I have never taken it super seriously. This book has a really helpful in depth look into a few different styles of book binding and will be helpful for my projects and getting them to look right.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews