my DIY to-do list

Bookbinding tips and tricks!

Sun, 12 May 2013 18:01:09 -0400

For a long time I was meaning to bring together and share my notes and tips from the bookbinding workshop this year. It seems like this is just about time to cover this one! ^_^

Topics list:

1. Simple booklet design.

2. How to check and fold the paper?

3. How to prepare the string?

4. How to make cover corners? ( two styles)

5. How to cook the glue for Japanese bookbinding?

6. Japanese traditional bookbinding example.

1. Simple booklet design.

You will need just trimmed paper, non-trimmed thicker cover paper, bookbinder’s bone, string, knife, needle and imagination to customize this super basic design.

Add just a tiny drop of glue to the node and keep the booklet open till the glue is dried.

2. How to check and fold the paper?
The first thing you do is check your paper and cardboard. You need to understand which way the fibers are directed. There are three easy ways to do that.
1. to tear 2. to bend 3. to fold

In each situation you will see how the paper resists to your action or the other way around. In the final design your fibers should be parallel to the crease.

3. How to prepare the string?

4. How to make cover corners?

Before you start with the corners you have to make sure all the fibers (in the cardboard and in the fabric) are parallel to the crease. After you have glued your raw cover to the fabric you can start to work with corners. Make sure to leave approx. 2 cm of fabric around the cover.
There are two traditional ways to do the corners. In the first one you make an easier cut that’s why it claims to be a “beginner corner”. 1. Use a piece of cardboard (same as cover) to measure the distance from the corner. Add 1 mm to the original distance and mark the fabric. 2. Draw a half circle line and cut the material out. Cut all the corners before gluing. 3. Brush one side with the glue. The glue can be simple PVA. Sometimes they make it more soft and liquid by mixing in some water. 4. Crease the side with a bone and press it to the inner side of the cover. 5. Cut a small piece of the material. Do not cut the originally measured and marked distance. 6.Add glue and fold the corner in, then crease the fabric and press to cover.

The second corner style.

1. Use a ruler to mark the 90 degrees lines from the cover. 2. Use a piece of cardboard (same as the cover) to mark the piece of fabric which will be covering the corner. 3. Cut the marked area out.Cut all the corners before gluing. 4. Apply the glue to one of the sides. 5. Crease with a bone. Fold the extra little piece of fabric to cover the other side of the corner. Press the fabric to the cover. Push as much extra glue out as you can! 6. Cut extra fabric. 7. Crease and fold in all the corners.

5. How to cook the glue for Japanese bookbinding?

Japanese booklet traditionally starts from cooking your custom glue.

6. Japanese traditional bookbinding example.

The actual bookbinding process then usually starts with a big (around 100x150 cm) piece of rice paper, which you fold and cut as illustrated till you have a stack of folded even papers. Then you create a template and according to it you make holes in the stacked papers. Make sure that your holes are opposite to the folded sides of the papers!

Then use a small piece of rice paper (with unstructured fibers) and apply some premade and cooled off glue on it. Stretch the glue paper through the holes. This paper is the main construction and holding part of the traditional Japanese booklet.

Let the glue dry and make the corners from the cover paper. Fold and cut the cover paper. Then apply the same template to punch the binding holes. You should start the biding from the back and center.

This is it! Good luck! =)

dreamalittlebiggerblog: To me the smell of lemon = the smell of...

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:00:55 -0400

dreamalittlebiggerblog:

To me the smell of lemon = the smell of clean, probably because of my childhood fascination with lemon scented Pledge. I absolutely MUST learn to make soap to make this Homemade Lemon Soap from a Pumpkin and a Princess.

truebluemeandyou: DIY Basic Wire Ear Cuff Tutorial from Essas...

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:47:22 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

DIY Basic Wire Ear Cuff Tutorial from Essas Frescurites here. I translated from Portuguese to English using Chrome. For more DIY ear cuffs go here: truebluemeandyou.tumblr.com/tagged/ear-cuff and for wire DIY jewelry and wire wrapping tutorials go here: truebluemeandyou.tumblr.com/tagged/wire

truebluemeandyou: Roundup of Nine DIY Ear Cuffs I’ve...

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:44:26 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

Roundup of Nine DIY Ear Cuffs I’ve posted.

Rhinestone Ear Cuff Tutorial from Transient Expression here.

Wire Ear Cuffs Two Ways Tutorial from Essas Frescurites here.

Easy Earrings to Ear Cuffs Tutorial from A Matter of Style here.

Ear Cuffs with Charms Tutorial from Hello Whimsy Blog here.

Ear Cuff found at Little Bit Crafting using a tutorial from Cut Out + Keep here.

Ear Cuff Tutorial form My Little Secrets here.

Feather Charms and Chain Ear Cuff Tutorial from Prudence and Austere here.

Ear Cuff with Chains and Beads Video Tutorial from Boat People here.

Basic Ear Cuff (right) and then Expanded Version with Wrapped Wire Earrings (left) Tutorial from Amelia Lune here.

what-do-i-wear: (image: Shannon Lee Miller) Easily DIY-able

Sun, 05 May 2013 02:58:03 -0400

what-do-i-wear:

(image: Shannon Lee Miller)

Easily DIY-able

truebluemeandyou: DIY Tee to Cut Out Bandeau Top Tutorial from...

Sat, 04 May 2013 13:00:53 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

DIY Tee to Cut Out Bandeau Top Tutorial from Bleached & Faded here. Really easy tutorial although I’d probably sew wear she has used fabric glue.This blog only has 5 posts from 2012 so if you like this I’d check it out now before it disappears. For more than 29 pages of tee DIYs go here: truebluemeandyou.tumblr.com/tagged/diy

Summer comes soon!

truebluemeandyou: DIY Guide to Necklace Types and Lengths from...

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:01:11 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

DIY Guide to Necklace Types and Lengths from Design Thrift here. At the link she also discusses lengths for bib and tassel necklaces. I posted a different necklace length guide with ranges of lengths for styles here.

moversandmakers: Wondering what to do with your soda can tab...

Fri, 03 May 2013 13:00:44 -0400

moversandmakers:

Wondering what to do with your soda can tab collection? This fun lampshade is a useful and good looking way to recycle them. If you don’t have a collection yet, eBay is a good place to find recycled ones.

Photo

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:01:22 -0400

macys: How to make sliding knots for jewelry.

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:00:59 -0400

macys:

How to make sliding knots for jewelry.

truebluemeandyou: DIY Button Up Shirt Restyle with Lace Inset...

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:45:01 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

DIY Button Up Shirt Restyle with Lace Inset Tutorial from Cotton & Curls here. I’ve posted lots of restyle using button up shirts. This DIY is really easy if you sew and could be done with shirts with fabrics other than silk. For more button up shirt restyles go here: truebluemeandyou.tumblr.com/tagged/mens-shirt

inspirations4yourlife: DIY Acid Washed Jeans

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:42:42 -0400

inspirations4yourlife:

DIY Acid Washed Jeans

mrsevilgenius11: I have used this for an impromptu trowel in my...

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:31:01 -0400

mrsevilgenius11:

I have used this for an impromptu trowel in my potted garden and if you add small 1/4 inch slits and you would have a disposable litter scoop

dtraveljournal: Take a ticket stub or plane ticket or whatever...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:01:02 -0400

dtraveljournal:

Take a ticket stub or plane ticket or whatever to kinkos, have them blow it up, print it on that fabric transfer stuff and make this pillow.

thehuckleberry: Just found THIS AWESOME LIST of 34 recipes...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:09:36 -0400

thehuckleberry:

Just found THIS AWESOME LIST of 34 recipes requiring only 2 ingredients and pretty basic instructions. Some are fantastic alone, and some inspire other basic recipes. Had to share this with you guys.

etsy: Give your phone case lasting flower power with this DIY...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:01:03 -0400

etsy:

Give your phone case lasting flower power with this DIY tutorial.

Click through for step by step instructions on the Etsy Blog.

truebluemeandyou: DIY Foreign Coin Necklace Tutorial from This...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:57:22 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

DIY Foreign Coin Necklace Tutorial from This Fashion Is Mine here. Do you have foreign coins that you love from travels? This is a beyond easy DIY if you have a drill.

We leave for Brazil in a month.

Photo

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:01:20 -0400

truebluemeandyou: DIY Bra to Bathing Suit Top Tutorial from...

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:00:56 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

DIY Bra to Bathing Suit Top Tutorial from Tasha Delrae here. I love this tutorial! Another blogger recreated the above bra to suit top and also had good results. This is a good way to get a perfect fitting bathing suit top. If you go to the link she used an old bra that had seen better days.

Summer comes soon…

truebluemeandyou: DIY Zara Inspired Safari Jacket with Leather...

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:01:07 -0400

truebluemeandyou:

DIY Zara Inspired Safari Jacket with Leather Sleeves Tutorial from This Fashion is Mine here. Top Photo: $737 Veda Jasper Jacket with Leather Sleeves here and $62 (on sale) Zara Safari Jacket with Leather Sleeves here, Bottom Photo: DIY by This Fashion is Mine.