Jeannine Stein - Adventures in Bookbinding: Handcrafting Mixed-Media Books

ADVENTURES
IN BOOK BINDING
HAND CRAFTING MIXED-MEDIA BOOKS

JEANNINE STEIN

Text 2011 by Quarry Books

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. However, the publisher grants permission for the purchaser of this book to copy the patterns for personal use. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by the producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

First published in the United States of America by
Quarry Books, a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915-6101
Telephone: (978) 282-9590
Fax: (978) 283-2742
www.quarrybooks.com
Visit www.Craftside.Typepad.com for a behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world!

Digital edition: 978-1-61058-021-2
Softcover edition: 978-1-59253-687-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available

Stein, Jeannine.
Adventures in bookbinding : handcrafting
mixed-media books / Jeannine Stein.
p. cm.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59253-687-0 (flexibound)
ISBN-10: 1-59253-687-5 (flexibound)
ISBN-13: 978-1-61058-021-2 (e-book)
1. Bookbinding--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Handicraft. I. Title.
Z271.S73 2011
686.3--dc22

2011004914
CIP

ISBN-13: 978-1-59253-687-0
ISBN-10: 1-59253-687-5

Digital edition published in 2011
eISBN-13: 978-1-61058-021-2

10987654321

Design: Debbie Berne Design
Photography: Ken Chernus
Illustrations: Mike Wanke
Technical Editor: Marla Stefanelli

Printed in China

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

BOOKS ARE MY PASSION. The first book I ever madea cased-in journal with a hard spineseemed like a magical creation, and I was completely enthralled with creating books by hand.

Since then, Ive explored making books with a variety of materials, structures, and purposes. And although books are my primary focus, bookbinding isnt the only skill in my repertoire.

Like many crafters, Ive learned how to do a lot of things throughout the years. As a child, I sewed, did needlepoint, knitted, and embroidered. And as an adult, Ive learned how to make jewelry, weave, quilt, crochet, and work with polymer clay and metal. A crafters curiosity is perpetualas soon as we see an amazing handmade creation we usually want to learn how to make it.

I may not be a master at everything, but I like the fact that I know enough to put together a quilt or a necklace if the mood strikes. I can also incorporate elements of those crafts into my books. Since doing that, my books have become more interesting, new creative paths have opened, and I feel more confident and capable as a book artist and crafter.

When I started making these mixed-media books, I wasnt the only one intrigued by the idea. I showed a friend, an accomplished crocheter, a leather journal I made with a scallop-crocheted border, and she instantly wanted to know how to make it. I realized that integrating other crafts with bookbinding would be a great way to get artists and crafters excited about creating their own books, photo albums, journals, and sketchbooks. I thought it might also get book artists interested in incorporating different materials and mediums into their work.

You may fall in love with new techniques or rediscover old ones while creating these books. I had so much fun making these projects, and I hope you enjoy making them as well.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The illustrated step-by-step projects in this book are geared to those who have some experience in a craft, or to novices who are intrepid enough to dive in and give it a try. Theyre designed to be fun and stress-free, and the bindings are straightforward. Some of the books are intended as sketchbooks and have extra features such as pockets and foldouts. Since sketchbooks are personal items, and artists have definite likes and dislikes about types and styles of paper, feel free to substitute whatever paper you like to work with. I find that 90-lb. (185 gsm) watercolor paper is perfect for almost any medium and isnt too heavy to work with in a text block.

Each of the step-by-step projects contains a primer and instructions on the specific craft to help you get started. If the craft is new to you or you havent done it in a while, take a little time to practice techniques with scrap materials. It will make the process more satisfying and ultimately produce better results.

The shortcut projects are for those who like the look of a particular craft but want a quick way to get there. The shortcut quilted book, for example, uses a cut-up vintage quilt for the covers.

The master-level projects take the books to new heights. I asked various highly skilled artists to create the covers, and then I bound the books to show how the projects can be collaborative. These books are meant to be both inspirational and a catalyst to foster creative partnerships.

Books are meant to be useddont let them languish on a shelf or in a drawer. Remember that a handmade book comes to life when its filled not with blank pages, but with words, drawings, photographs, paintings, and collages. Creating things by hand is always an adventure, and I encourage you to take the plunge and start exploring.

GETTING STARTED

LEARNING THE BASICS of bookbinding makes for more successful and trouble-free projects. If youre new to creating books by hand, familiarize yourself with these tips and tools. After a while, tasks such as folding paper and punching signatures will become second nature and streamline the process.

A few of the materials used in the various projects may be unfamiliar to some experienced binders. But give them a shotworking with supplies such as felt, fabric, clay, and yarn will expand your repertoire and open new creative paths. Feel free to substitute bindings whenever possible, creating books that are distinctive and carry your signature.

Bits of ephemera and embellishments for collage can be kept in see-through vinyl pockets.