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One of my bookbinding heroes, William Mathews, told Enid Batham about his future books in response to the price of gold going up, “I’m not going to wipe off any gold, they’re all going to be smothered in gold”.  Gold finishing has long been associated with the finest bookbinding.  But covering things with thinly beaten… Continue reading Bath Brick and Gold Cushions →

In these difficult times it’s important we support the suppliers of materials and tools to the bookbinding craft.  Below is a list of suppliers I either use, or I know to have a very good reputation, and one day I hope to buy from.  The 2 main retailers that I buy from are Hewits and… Continue reading Bookbinding Suppliers →

A4 Visitors Book Print to A3 paper, flip on short edge. Title pageOne blank pageAll pages the same

A Guide to DAS Bookbinding YouTube Channel.  Getting Started How to Print Sections or Signatures from a PDF File for BookbindingMaking Bookbinding PasteMaking Bookbinding Paste in the MicrowaveWhat is Paper Grain and How to Identify the DirectionBookbinding Knots: Square, Kettle, Weavers KnotsTrimming a Text Block with a KnifeOpening a New BookProtecting a Dust Jacket with… Continue reading YouTube Channel →

I've just finished a prototype of a mini springback binding. At 3 3/4 inches tall, it's too large to be a miniature book. It is the first small binding of a traditional structure that I have made. Single section pamphlets don't count. In general I like to go big rather than small. But after the… Continue reading Mini Springback →

I finished the 3 part tutorial on binding a full cloth springback notebook this week.  I can’t remember seeing anything like this on the internet before.  Springbacks are traditionally large books and I made some modifications to scale down the size.  I have also only used book cloth so that leather skills (or availability) is… Continue reading Cloth Springback Notebook →

I’ve been doing a lot of work on springback bindings in the last few months.  I hope to make some videos on complete projects soon.  Before I video full projects, I will do videos on some of the components that are different to letterpress binding.  The first of these, which I posted this week, is… Continue reading Springback Binding Endpapers →

Bookbinders use unbleached linen thread almost exclusively for sewing sections.  Of course, there is nothing stopping you using whatever you want.  However, natural flax spun to make linen is recognized for its strength and longevity.  In the early 20th century a few authors, such as Douglas Cockerell and Edith Diehl, recommend ligature silk as used… Continue reading Needle and Thread →

In 1924 The Courier Mail ran a story about the Arts and Crafts and a lady from Melbourne, recently arrived, who bound books.  Mrs. R. L. Reid was from then on mentioned regularly in Brisbane newspapers for her expertise in book binding, musical talents, her presentations about crafts, and presentations on very early radio broadcasts. … Continue reading Mrs. R. L. Reid: The Craft Bookbinder →

When first learning about the effects of grain the focus is on the negatives of not having the grain run head to tail in a book. But there are times when paper grain can be used to advantage. The issues come about because when paste (moisture) is applied to paper the fibre in the paper… Continue reading Grain to Advantage →