Hand Binding Books

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I haven't had a chance to read all the arts and crafts here, but I can see I'll be busy for a week seeing all the wonderful things you all do. I'm excited to read this part of the forum, thank you.

I made a small sketch book for a gift for part of a granddaughter's birthday present. This was my first hand bound book with blank 98 lb mixed media paper, cotton string. It was fun!
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So then I wanted to make one for me, to hold my paper/paint from peerless, for a little travel paint thing, to make it easier to paint outside or on trips.
It's also 4 x 5.5 inches, this one has waxed string, 98 lb mixed media paper, and it uses 4 needles for a coptic binding. Then I filled it with the paint/paper, and tested out colors to see what they were like. I used a peerless bonus pack of 40 colors and a sample pack of 15 colors, so lots of variety.

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The back cover. (calendar page over chipboard)
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How the pages set.
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Front cover. (calendar page over chip board)
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My reason for wanting to learn this method and other binding methods, is that the good quality watercolor paper is insanely expensive to find in spiral bound or hand bound books. I would rather make some of my own than spend the $300 for what I want. This method allows the book to lay flat, which is pretty important for watercolor painting. So anyway, this is my fun, and painting too.
 
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I've made 5 books now. I gave the first one to the grandchild. They take about 5 or so hours each, but fun. I made some acrylic painted fabric for covers (left), and interleaved tissue around the signatures. I'm really enjoying it.