Finally a book post! I have been making these little chapbooks a lot. They are so handy and quick to put together. These books are so simple and portable and I make them with different papers for writing and drawing so you’re ready when the mood hits you!
I make them in all sorts of sizes and shapes and I’m going to start making some super tiny ones. The most common size I make is one made from a half a sheet of letter paper. I make all my books completely by hand with no heavy machinery (though I would love a heavy duty guillotine cutter!) and I thought I’d give a taste of what goes into them.
I usually make a bunch of these at a time and I always start with the signatures (the pages of the book.) These books are very simple and each one has just one signature. Lately I have been adding perforated pages in the back which I create with a pounce tool, an old sign painting tool. The signatures are then pressed to get them to relax into shape.
I make the covers out of various types of card stock, from the type you get at the craft store to the heavy duty stuff in big sheets from the art store. For the ones I made recently I added some decorative paper to add interest and to reinforce the spine. Wonder Under is an excellent adhesive for this! The covers are pre-folded and then I start the binding process.
The signatures and the covers both need to have holes pre-punched for sewing and I make a pattern to make sure the holes are in the same place. Then I sew the book and cover together with waxed thread. I like to knot the thread in the middle of the book to protect it but sometimes I leave it on the outside.
I like to make the covers extra wide and then fold them back, I feel it is sturdier and you can use the flaps to mark your place in the book. I do a final pressing, for at least a week, to make them nice and flat.
I have a few of these on hand at all times since they don’t take up a ton of space and they are great for gifts too!
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