BINDING your Journal or Sketchbook. DIY Journal #2

BINDING your Journal or Sketchbook. DIY Journal #2
❖ At last, we are sewing the pages of our sketchbook or DIY Journal together, for the binding step! Bookbinding is not so difficult ; I don’t like to sew but It’s OK for me to do it now that I know what I am doing so I hope this tutorial will help you with it as well. 😊
This is an easy bookbinding tutorial, suitable for beginners with a lot of easy tips, useful hacks and advices to help you.
❖ LINK TO THE FIRST PART OF THE TUTORIAL
kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2mbhGiwmcufobM
❖ To help you BIND your HANDMADE SKETCHBOOK or DIY JOURNAL, I show you EVERY STEPS :
► Making the measuring for the holes.
► Punching the holes.
► Punching the holes.
► Holding the pages together with bulldog clips to help you during the binding.
► Preparing the thread for the sewing.
► Sewing the signatures together of course ! The real bookbinding step!
Please share the result in the comment if you follow the tutorial, or on social media. 😃
❖ To follow me on INSTAGRAM, that’s @annelaurewatercolor. :)
❖ And on my new TWITTER, that’s @MlleWhiteRabbit. :)

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Here is the LINK for PART 1 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2mbhGiwmcufobM. 😊 If you FOLLOW THE TUTORIAL, please SHARE a link or something here in the comments, or on Social Media, so that I can enjoy seeing how your sketchbooks turned out!!! 😃 📖 🎉

[@SharonCullenArt]

Following the White Rabbit oh I thought that you did all of your binding after painting on your sheets. Do you possibly take a signature at a time out with you and then set that one aside and then paint another signature before binding them all together?

[@reb5824]

Thanks for these videos! I have made my own multimedia blocks.. From my larger pads or smaller ones.. I cut in half and saw The FRUGAL Crafters instruction on making a block too..I definitely will try a Landscape stitched one! Thanks! I Love your personality and techniques!

[@annebaiel]

Back again! Making sketchbooks for my children to use as nature journals. Thank you ever so much for this tutorial!

[@IrynaBoehland]

Thank you! Another tip - dab a bit of clear nail polish to the threads knot, it will not unravel. )))

[@ingeleonora-denouden6222]

I waited for some weeks, because I had to fill another sketchbook first. But now I am binding my own! I will make a nice cover too. So that is the next video to watch 😀

[@claretdelgado4465]

Thank you for such an easy and perfect way to put together signatures. 👏 I didn't k ow those pieces were called signatures 😁

[@KarenmitchellANI]

Lovely. I have a leather file cover from my late partners belongings and tend to use it for the cover

[@xeniakonrad8760]

I made my first own watercolor sketchbook with the help of this video! Thank you so much! It was so easy to understand and quick to make! I am so happy now. I also made a little travelpalette and went for a walk. I also sketched a little part of a church from my town. It makes me so happy to use these things! I still have to learn a lot. I am still a child after all but! It's easier with all your helpfull videos! Thank you so much again! 😊

[@moniquefrechette4516]

Un gros merci au super lapin blanc! Tout est parfaitement clair pour moi? Ton anglais est parfait!

[@NYtalk60]

Thank you watched both parts. I'm going to try this!

[@luana.1]

Very helpful! Thank you😉

[@CarosLines]

Tip: Make a template for the holes! :) In your previous video I was really interested to see your big template as I've never made a template for the big sheet (because I make art journals and with those I like to paint the whole big sheet on both sides before I choose how to cut it up ) but I always make a template for the holes... I'm going to have to make a blank sketch book now! BTW I'm so impressed by your videos - love them - glad I found you!

[@Sandieness]

Wonderful!! Thanks for showing us! And I love your french accent. It reminds me of when I lived in Paris in 2010. Yes, you make some little mistakes sometimes, but it's very charming! 😊✨💕🇫🇷

[@mindofwatercolor]

Great tutorials, both part 1 & 2. I plan to do this and will be so helpful to me in the future. Thanks!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Thank you do much for your compliments about the tutorials. 😊 The persons that already followed them said it was nice and handy to follow so I hope it will be the same for you. I hope you will keep me in touch! 😉

[@lindabezet3139]

Anne Laure,I just finished my very first sketch/watercolor book!! It came out about 7.5 x 5.5. Looks great. Your instructions made it all so easy. Especially your pro-tips. Ended up with 4 rectangles per signature so that gave me 8 pages and I put 2 signatures together. So I have 16 pages in my sketchbook. Perfect! Now I have to watch your video so I can make a cover for it. I’ll let you know how that comes out. Thanks so much for being a wonderful teacher. Plus you make learning fun. 👩🏻‍🎨🎨😃

[@timeglass777]

I made the same sketch book as you 8 pages 7.5x5.5 from a large pieced of Arches 140lb CP. It is my first book so there is lots to be improved! Thank you so much, Anne Laure for sharing your wonderful skills. I love your teaching style!

[@ChapmanGriffith]

Again, fantastic this binding I can follow. Thank you for sharing.

[@Trylobyte]

My sketchbook has come out great! Thankyou

[@cakebakerish]

Did it! Great video Anne-Laure. Thank you for teaching this. It is so freeing to have any size sketchbook with my favourite paper.❤️

[@kathywilden7702]

Thank you for teaching us to make our own sketchbook. You are a very talented lady. Merci beaucoup

[@monicalira9702]

I like your enthusiasm Now I will try my hand at this!

[@cathydwyer7427]

I am so HAPPY!!! I made my first sketchbook and I've been wanting to do it for a long time! Thank you, Anne-Laure for your easy to follow instructions and your fabulous sense of humor. I had a bit of trouble threading my needle probably because I used a thicker cotton thread. I used to hand quilt and I always waxed my thread so I did so here, too. I'm waiting patiently for you to teach us how to add signatures and a cover. Thank you, merci beaucoup!!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Cathy!!! Wonderful!!!! 😃 I am really happy the tutorial helped you to make you first own DIY sketchbook!!! Thanks for your compliments about it. 😊 I struggled a bit with the needle and the cotton thread too. ;) Yeah, I have too much videos ideas so we may have to wait a few more weeks for the "more pages" and cover tutorial but feel free to start sketching on your sketchbook already! 😊

[@olivi6771]

Thanks!! Best tutorial

[@missbirdsmiles5387]

So glad I watched your video before attempting to make a watercolour sketchbook, I hadn’t even thought about the right and wrong side of the paper (in part 1) and I would have over complicated the stitching. I’ll definitely be making a small one of these to take on my next holiday! Thank you for all the tips!

[@susanbradford4543]

I have made a sketchbook using your directions. I love your method of tearing the paper to go with the deckled edges. Oddly enough, my Fabriano Artistic paper I bought here in Mexico was 21” x 28”. So my small sketchbook is a little smaller. No problem. I too would like to see adding more signatures & adding a cover

[@moniquefrechette4516]

Merci tellement!!! Cette vidéo répond parfaitement aux questions que je me posais pour fabriquer mon carnet avec papier 300 g.

[@Kamoolti]

Love the idea, genius, havent seen anything like this 👏👏👏

[@Angela-jy8um]

Great tutorial! I like the simple way you bind the pages. I've seen some tutorials and they are so complicated! I always thought to myself, there has to be an easier way! The way you suggested seems best. Thanks for sharing! Love your videos!

[@it4719]

Hi Miss, like your video, you make it look so fun making every thing, with your positive energy and happy smile! Thank you for sharing. May you be happy!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Ianna, thank you so much for these lovely compliments! 😊 Yeah, life is too short to be grumpy!! 😅 I like, indeed, that making videos pushes me to be even more joyful and expressive (because, with the camera "filter", you can seems a bit boring even if you act normally) and I admit I enjoy trying to share good vibes. ☀️ Yes, I try my best to be happy, to follow my dreams and everything !! (I talked about in some other videos) 😊 I wish you a lot of happiness as well!! See you! 😘

[@cathydwyer7427]

Thank youAnne-Laure. These videos are so helpful. I have all my paper, my needle, my thread, my binder clips and my hole poker and I can't wait to make a sketchbook. Now all I need is some time.

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Thank you so much Cathy!! Wonderful that you are all ready!! 😃 I hope you will find time to do it soon. 😊 Keep me in touch! 😉

[@xawallywally7908]

thank you so much...you are a genious

[@TrenaBrannon]

Love your enthusiasm and sharing! Glad I found your channel! thank you sister. Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

[@veroniquequesnel76]

Vidéo enregistrée ! 😊 Ajoutez vous parfois une couverture ? J'ai peut-être raté une autre vidéo ?! J'imagine qu'on peut coudre une couverture en carton léger en même temps ?🤔 Bravo pour vos vidéos que j'adore découvrir depuis quelques semaines ! If you prefer me to write in english to be understood by more of your followers, just tell me ! Best wishes ! And thanks again for your great videos !

[@corikay]

Beautiful! I would enjoy seeing you do a third part to the journal binding, where additional signatures are added, and if and how you add covers! Thank you!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Corikay! Yes, sure, I forgot to say it in the video or in the description but yes I will definitely make a video about binding more signatures together and one about making a cover too. Thanks for watching and thanks for your feedback!! :)

[@Zoomfreaky]

corikay Yep! Me too! Loved this video..:)

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Thanks Bojoura! Yes, I definitely will, but today is a Sketchbook Tour day!! 😛😃😉

[@stipegang]

I just made my first sketchbook thanks to you. It was so easy I can't believe I haven't been making my own all this time. I eagerly look forward to the next installment about binding more signatures and a cover. Thx!!! :-)

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Cindy! Thanks a lor for keeping me in touch!! I am so happy you followed the tutorial and it seemed so easy for you!! 🎉😃 Now, you have a whole new path of handmade sketchbooks in front of you, a new journey to begin!!! 😝🤪😎 Yes, I am going to make the following with the several signatures and the cover really soon. I planned to make it this week but, as soon as I figured out that the weather would allow me to make the outdoor video about the Urban Sketching gear, I jumped in it and I am lucky I did because everyday is not as lovely as that one. 😉 Probably next week for real, then. 😊

[@svetoslavstankov7898]

Thank you! This was so helpful!

[@martushka_art_illu1945]

Great tutorials - thank you !

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Glad you like them! Thanks for your comment! 😃🥰

[@conniegiacobbe3872]

What a wonderful job of teaching us how to make a fantastic sketchbook. I found your site and love your content. I’m subscribed. Thank you!

[@LeslieNikulka]

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing. oxo :)

[@ReensaraiArtbyReenaS]

So good

[@Lauragld]

Wonderful instructions! Thanks so much for sharing :) I teach nature journaling and we are always trying to find journals with high quality watercolor paper. It will be so much fun to make our own journals with our favorite papers :) Thanks so much ❤️ I love all of your videos and your enthusiasm..you are aways so encouraging :) xox Laura

[@kimsargeant8126]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I am so happy to have my own homemade sketchbook. Mine is very rough and i love it, though i will be sure that the next one is a bit more polished.

[@MariaReginaTuazon101]

you made my day!!! haha... excellent video and wonderfully happy!

[@cakebakerish]

Excellent! Can’t wait to try this! Thank you so much🌹

[@annebaiel]

Hello Anne-Laure! I just followed your steps for my first two signatures--thank you so much for this tutorial! It was very clear and concise. Cheers! -Anne

[@virginia6984]

I had an aha! moment watching your other video about your supplies & bag. Aha, making the signatures without a cover solves 2 issues for me. It's lighter weight, and most of all the sketchbook can have as many or as few pages as needed for a particular trip, without having to decide ahead of time. I'm looking forward to seeing how you add signatures & bind it all in a cover.

[@lorettalobb]

Cant wait to make my own sketch books i love the look of the torn edges

[@elsagrace3893]

So nice.

[@LauraSaintCroix]

I absolutelly loved yours!! Thank you for share

[@kimleon-guerrero9980]

Love it ! Thank you so much. 💞💫

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Kim, welcome!! 🎉 Thanks for your kind words about my videos. 😊

[@joycrucitti2505]

Love this simple but elegant technique! Thank you!!!❤️

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Joy, thanks for these lovely compliments and feedback. :)

[@veronicagreen6180]

Thank you so much, I did one , so happy

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Oh, wonderful!! Thanks for sharing, Veronica!! I am so happy too!! ❤️🎉😃

[@liart6219]

Made me a small version right away. With some student paper I have, just to get a feel of it. I’m already inking/ painting the front page:-)

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Li Art, wonderful! Thank you so much for your comments and feedback here and on Facebook. I am so happy you made it right away, even with some student paper, to follow the tutorial. You are the first one to follow it, then!! :p ;) Can we see the lovely front page you mad?! :p ;)

[@MarinaGarrison]

Great video! I loved watching your sketchbooks in the Manchester series and was happy when I discovered you had a tutorial :)

[@louiserocheleau3351]

Je m'y mets dès aujourd'hui ! merci pour tous ces trucs... dès que la neige aura disparu, je m'installe au bord de la rivière avec mon nouveau sketchbook fait-main. (encore 50 cm de neige, à 2 heures au nord de Montréal !)

[@nadeneesterhuizen]

Wonderful tutorials! I loved some of your "pro tips", especially alternating the way each page is folded so that the facing sides of the pages were the same --- it is something I only discovered after making my own sketchbooks before. Can you share any link to how to bind more than 2 signatures together, please?

[@muhlenstedt]

Happy again!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

:D :D :D

[@tarsharimehta4886]

you are so adorable

[@alphatsunadehime]

Great video set on making your own sketchbook Anne-Laure! I am looking forward to make my own for the next Porto symposium :) I am looking forward to your video on making the cover (and adding more pages bound together)! I hope to see this before the summer, so I can put this wintery weather to good use on creative projects at home ;)

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Caroline! Thank you so much!! 😆 I hope to meet you in Porto and see your really special sketchbook! 😜 Thanks for your patience, for the following of the series... Too many videos to make!!!!!! 😩😅 I try to do my best. 😊

[@onepotatwothree]

I followed you for this part 2 of the tutorial and it's worth it

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Loony Patatas!! 😝 You comment made me so happy!!! 😯😃 I am glad you followed the tutorial and it was really useful. 😊 I was slightly worried about the sewing part, as it was not easy to shoot at all so that's wonderful that you say it really works and my "pro tips" are appreciated. 😊 I have a lot of ideas for tutorials but, today, I am going to upload a sketchbook tour!! 🎉😝 I will include some pro tips too, though, and will demonstrate quickly one of my technique so I hope you will like it too. Btw, I watched some of your videos and just subscribed. 😉 Your voice is beautiful!!! 😀😊 What a shame that the screen is just all black in your videos... If you don't want to show your face, you could make a video shot of something like water (moving water surface of a river for example), or the sun and wind in a tree branches (slow motion ?!), moving shadows on a wall, a time lapse or speed up video of the busy city, this kind of poetic shots as a "background" for your covers. What do you think? 😌 As we are on KZbin, so, imo, your videos would be even nicer with a visual. 😉😘

[@onepotatwothree]

Following the White Rabbit Oh my 🙈 I only made my channel to save my covers. I wasn't expecting people to actually view them, and you subscribing to me is so unreal 😍😭 Thanks so much!! ❤ And I love the idea of making backgrounds for my covers. I'll give it a try 😊 And your love song mashup! Wow. Your voice is so lovely ❤

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Loony, sincerely, if you feel embarrassed that other people can listen to 😉 your videos, I can unsubscribe, if you ask me to. 😊 If not, I will be happy to discover your next video with a lovely background! 😛 Thanks for your compliments about my mashup. Not the best but I had fun with it and tried to share good vibes. 😌😁

[@faypaints]

I love it! What a luscious new sketchbook to fill! Thank you for sharing!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Faypaint! Yeaaaah, so luscious and with the handmade touch.

[@faypaints]

I do make my sketchbooks. I love to do it and would not be happy with store bought books now. Also, I wanted to ask you how you care for your sable quill brush. I have been being very careful with the one I just got. The bristles are not forming into the nice shape when dry, but do when it is wet. Is that normal?

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Faypaints! How are you today?! 😄 Happy Valentines days to you!! 🎉🧡✨ Yeah, that's normal than your big brush doesn't have the hair together when it's dry. 😌👍 Especially if it's new or not used a lot yet I think ?! If the hair comes together nicely when you dip the brush in the water and paint you don't have to worry. 😊 Just swirl the brush really well in the water and wipe in on the edge of your water ppot before painting and you are good to go! 👍 I think that after a while, the brush keeps its shape more when dry maybe because of a bit of pigment left in the brush that keep the hair sticking together ?! I am not sure it's so much of a good sign. 😬😅 I don't really have a sable quill, I have a squirrel mop and a sable pointed round but I try to care for my brushes by washing them well when I think about it 😅 and carrying them in a sort of flat cardboard pouch I made by myself. Not the best caring in the world but ok enough I think ; brushes are meant to be used. 😊 Yes, making our own sketchbooks is the best. As I said in the video, I understand so much when you say that you couldn't be happy with store bought sketchbooks now. 😌😉 Have a good day!!

[@faypaints]

Thank you so much. I won't worry about my special brush any more. I really love using it. It makes such juicy washes! Happy Valentine's Day to you! I am really enjoying your videos. They add a cheerful sparkle and fun creativity to my day. I know they are a lot of work to make, so I hope you know that it is appreciated. Thank you!

[@o8rufus]

Great method of binding and explanations. I wanted to know how you add a cover to this and if you would please do a video on it. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

o8rufus, yes, sure, I forgot to say it in the video or in the description but yes I will definitely make a video about binding more signatures together and one about making a cover too. Thanks for watching and thanks for your feedback!! :)

[@zangarlikesminecraft9908]

Fantastic video! I was wondering where you purchased your thread?

[@heathershaffer6148]

This is wonderful! I'm going to begin making my own sketchbook today. Did you ever make a video about how to add signatures and a cover?

[@recoveringsoul755]

When you split the 6 paper signature into two 3 paper signatures, did you have to check again so the papers would have matching "sides" of the paper facing each other, for where one signature ends and the next begins? It could be fun to have different kinds or surfaces of papers, or even colors of papers within one book though.

[@cecilialofgren1396]

Very nice! Du you make some kind of folding, for protecting the first and last paper in the signatures?

[@beverley-memawmawclarkwhit5102]

Anne-Laure....I really like these instructions....and I think I am going to try making one myself....I am interested in an instruction video on making your brush-keeper you have for you sketch bag....thanks, Bev by the way....the little "tool" you are using to make the holes with is an awl...

[@beverley-memawmawclarkwhit5102]

hello, Anne-Laure.....did you ever make the update for how to combine one or more "finished sketchbooks" together????

[@naturesketches126]

I really love your instructions. I made two books like that today. Do you ever put covers on your books or do you leave them like that? Thank you!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Aneta, thanks for watching my videos and even applying them for your art!! 😃❤️ I am so happy you made two books following the tutorial! 😄 In the fields, I use just a small piece of sketchbook with a few pages without any cover (on a lightweight board) so that it's lighter and then, theoretically, I am supposed to add some covers to my sketchbook, as you saw yesterday on my new video. ☺️ To be honest, though, it's always difficult for me to catch up so I have quite a lot of pieces of sketchbook everywhere at home 😅 without any cover!!! But that's a shame. I hope that making the videos can also motivate me to really finalize the sketchbooks. 😊

[@jrm2716]

I know this was years ago... Is it possible to bind more than 2 signatures? How would you accomplish that? Love your channel and rewatching your videos.

[@SharonCullenArt]

When I asked about how you bind your sketchbooks I wondered about how you do it after you have already painted in it. You said in another video that you take a few pages out at a time so you don’t have to carrry a whole book. I am interested in seeing how you bind that because your sketches won’t be in chronological order. I mean your signatures having pages between them would mean your first page may have had a sketch on each. Page but it becomes the first and last page of the signature. And what if you do a double spread? You would always have to make sure they are placed on the inside of the signature so that their are no pages in between. I hope this makes sense. Or do you sew just one signature as you did here then later put them all together after they are painted? And if you do this then how do you attach all the signatures together later? Oh wait I think i see it on the sidebar now! LOL I will check that out now and if I still don’t have my answer I will let you know there!!! 🤔🤪😊

[@juliaalvarez1168]

😄👍🏼👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽📖

[@deetee-uk]

How do you fix the journal into the correx folder to keep it in place...and do you make it removable to add a fresh journal?

[@chichon6527]

Hello and thank you for your tips - I'm not sure I heard about the type of cotton thread used ? what thickness is it? and if using flossing thread - does the waxed one really work? I saw on your other videos that you add washi tapes between some of your pages ... is it to strengthen the binding? cheers

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Agnès, I admit I am not an expert in choosing the thread... You need to find one which is not elastic so cotton usually work rather well. I usually use the washi tape to add additional pages in the sketchbook as I said in the other comment 😊 and once or twice, I used it to try to bring the page a bit closer or to hide a gap I didn't find nice. 😉

[@larkspin]

Hi Anne-Laure, I have come back to this video because I"m ready finally to bind some signatures. I'm wondering how you would do more than 2 signatures?

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Charlotte ! Amazing for your handmade sketchbook project !! 👍 I think you want to watch this video. 😁😘 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqG4eoxtqLuogas

[@rosielisart]

Hi Anne-Laure! Can you use any type of sewing thread??

[@o8rufus]

I also would like to know how you add more signatures to this .

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

:) :) :)

[@annepercival7814]

Thanks Anne Laure....looks manageable enough....but how would you join a third or even a fourth signature? Remind me again how many pieces in each signature

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Anne, yes, sure, I forgot to say it in the video or in the description but yes I will definitely make a video about binding more signature together and one about making a cover too. I use 3 pieces of paper in each signature. :)

[@jmeyer3rn]

Check out "Sea Lemon." She also does sketchbook making.

[@danihu03]

how many signatures do you put in one sketchbook? What is a good number?

[@mariateresat4991]

Hi. I have a question for you.. How many paper inside in 1 mini sketchbook? Thanks

[@simosimo7560]

Hi Anne Laure, but the paper you use, can you paint on it on both sides? Because some kind of paper is possible to use on both sides, others no. Arches has got only one side. Thank you very much!

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Simonetta! With the Fabriano Artistico, it doesn’t seem to be a problem to paint on both sides. 😊👍 I don’t mind anyway! 😙

[@simosimo7560]

@@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit Thank you Anne Laure!

[@rebeccapage4411]

Thank you! Do you think dental floss could work for this project?

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Hi Rebecca! Yes, I think so. :) You're right, some people use it for binding. Will you choose the mint one?!!!!!!! :p ;)

[@judyaznm820]

Caution: dental floss breaks and the flavoring can attract bugs. Waxed linen bookbinding thread is excellent to use.

[@FollowingtheWhiteRabbit]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Judy, with everyone. That's really nice of you! 👍😊 As for me, I think I like working with this thick cotton and I don't mind that the binding shows so I may keep working with it. 😌

[@virginia6984]

I did use mint floss once, it did smell quite fresh at first, but it faded after a while :D