Bookbinding Tools & Materials - beginner friendly

[@bittermelonbindery]

If you want a comprehensive guide on beginner bookbinding, my new book is coming out on December 5, 2023! Every preorder gets a bonus ebook with extra content. Go to my website for preorder links: www.bittermelonbindery.com

[@miriamyakubov9554]

Hi, I would like to know how to get these tools and there cost and also how much is you book?

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

Another tip from an amateur book binder, if you want a book that lays flat, the kettle stitch and coptic stitch are the best binding methods, and mod podge is my favorite glue for the spine. It dries quickly and very flexible but sturdy so that spine fully folds when you open the book but won't break or fall apart.

[@dillaarts2]

Thank u 💙

[@lightyagami1634.]

Can I use them as a beginner in 2024?

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

@@lightyagami1634. the stitch methods? Absolutely. Sea Lemon is another KZbin bookbinder who does really easy to follow tutorials.

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

@studioboswelliaThere are a bunch of different kinds of Mod Podge. Mod Podge paper I know for sure is acid free, (it's glue, not actual paper, it's called that because it's for paper), but I can't speak for the rest of the different Mod Podges. I almost always use Mod Podge Matte which I don't think is acid free, but my whole thing is that the point of acid free anything, like acid free paper and acid free glue is that it doesn't yellow over time. But the glue used in casebound books is not visible. Its only applied places that won't be visible when the project is complete, so it really doesn't matter if it yellows. Thats my opinion anyway. Some others might disagree but if acid free glue is important to you then your best bet is Lineco Neutral PH adhesive PVA glue. Its book binders' favorite glue for every part of their projects.

[@bittermelonbindery]

@@Jah_LEASE_yah Acid in glue and materials will not only yellow, it can transfer and will break down the material over time (in 50+ years). So if you're not concerned about longevity, white glue not labelled acid-free, pH neutral, or archival quality is OK for practice.

[@idlewildwind]

Awesome tutorial! Tip for others: If you can find pieces of wallpaper somehow, those make great cover material instead of bookcloth! They're sturdy and resistant to last for decades on walls. (I've walked into several paint shops and asked if they have any samples of retiring wallpaper that they were planning to throw away, and have obtained a variety that way!)

[@asmrmaroxa]

great idea! so they give them to you for free?

[@idlewildwind]

@@asmrmaroxa Yeah, if they have some! Many times I've asked they didn't though, so it's a gamble ;)

[@asmrmaroxa]

@@idlewildwind ok thanks!

[@tiredfrog308]

This is a great idea, thank you! 😊

[@chanellepeoples6190]

That's a great idea! Wallpaper designs are so beautiful as well

[@stepgingerly6056]

A cost-saving tip for any adults who want to bind books with kids... Unflavored basic wax dental floss works really well for sewing signatures. (My students hand-bind their 7th grade memoirs every year.)😊

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

Ooh thank you so much! I absolutely love little tips that save money, especially since I have so many dental flosses. Here’s one of my own. A lot of watch stores will charge $20 for a battery change! Assuming your watch has a caseback that can turn (it’ll have notches), if you have one of those rubber poppers you turn inside out (jumping rubber poppers), if you press it against your palm and twist it, you can remove it with no scratches at all! Works for super tight casebacks and is far safer than tweezers or pliers or scissors

[@jessicawicher]

Absolutely clear without unnecessary chatter. I really appreciate it, and learned a couple of new things. Thanks!

[@kitterzy]

My only tip is for your use of your rotary cutter. They’re designed ergonomically to be pushed forward to cut. I’ve been quilting for decades, so when I started out I tried to use one like you. Didn’t work well in the long run. If you have hand fatigue or use a rotary cutter a lot, try push cutting forward. Works great for paper too. Just have to be careful to use separate blades for fabric and paper (zapper dulls rotary blades fast).

[@daveturnbull7221]

All in all a very nice demonstration of a minimial bookbinding kit Chanel. The biggest problem I had when starting was trimming the block and yes, I ruined a few just like you, but I persevered with it and now only rarely have to start again. I'm only a hobby binder though and can't justify the expense of a guillotine. My tip would be to put some greaseproof paper between the bookblock and boards when gluing up the spine. It stops the boards getting stuck to the block and the risk of damage when trying to remove them.

[@Pandamomentum]

I really like the endbands made with the same fabric as the bookcloth! A very cohesive look

[@carolsanderson8047]

You are an excellent teacher. Calm, slow, demonstrating and guiding through each step. Charmiing!

[@asheirahs_nook]

A tool I've come to love is my punching cradle in tandem with handmade punching molds. It saves you so much time if you need to punch a lot of signatures of the same size ❤️ you can easily diy one out of greyboard or wood you have lying about 👌

[@NelsonRodriguez-y4x]

Thank you for sharing and giving the specific materials that you use. Some other tutorials just say things like "thicker paper" but you give us the specifics! Thank you!

[@BlueDudette]

I just found your channel and love it, I worked for years in a commercial bindery when I was young and have such fond memories. We had giant machines etc for most of the tasks but the results were the same. It was a lot of fun to create or rebind books. I still think about it 30+years later.

[@BexMcInulty]

I've been binding books for a couple of years now and I have a neat little hack: stick some wide packingtape around the edges of your bookpress. you do not need the chipboard when you glue the textblock. the glue gets onto the tape and the textblock doesn't really get stuck to anything. you can remove the tape after a couple of uses, or peel the glue off when it's all dry Personally I also mix my glue with water depending on what i am gluing different consistencies are better. you have to be careful though or find a way to deal with the extra moisture. for the space between the spine and the coverboards I found that no matter what i used 9mm was somehow always perfect (and if you add 1/4 inch to the height of your covers it gives you and even overlap on all sides). it also took me some time to figure out. but instead of redoing the cover i simply cut my textblock smaller because my covers were usually too short.

[@ALangston35]

Thank you so much! This was an excellent video for a beginner. i'm looking to get into this as a hobby myself and can't afford to spend a ton of money on it. Excellent work! This seems like such a calming hobby.

[@syedalishanzaidi1]

Excellent. I watched your video at 70% speed to have more time to follow what you were saying and doing. But when you came to stitching the signatures together, I would have liked you to stop and explain each stitch slowly from one end of the book to the other. That was the most important and difficult part to follow.

[@ArielBissett]

What a gorgeous video.

[@Kdmud]

Love this instructional video! Thank you Channel, this really helped me with some of the steps I wasn’t too clear about. Plus, your book was so beautiful 😻🌟👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@bittermelonbindery]

sweet, glad it helped! I'm working on more of these books for the next shop update 😊

[@Kdmud]

@@bittermelonbindery so glad to hear that! I keep missing out on your gorgeous journals, because the ones that I want, sell out so fast😳 But, I’ll keep trying 🥰 Thanks so much for putting out such beautiful videos and products!!!!

[@Lynnie501]

Beautiful job. Very informative and clear instructions.

[@Seyir_Kanali]

The respect for the tools is impressive.

[@gabrielhound]

I don't think this is the hobby for me but watching this video was so nice and relaxing. Your work is fantastic!

[@tiredfrog308]

Thank you so much for this video! I reply appreciate your clear, concise explanations. Also, your voice is so relaxing and you edited this beautifully. I intend to make a sketch book and fill it with art for my mother. It will be my first time bookbinding so I’m a little nervous, but I love how personal it is. My mum has always appreciated handmade gifts, and with her fourth round of chemo taking place just before Christmas, it’ll be nice to present her with a gift made with love. Thank you helping me make this a reality! 🥰

[@sarahlawrence599]

this is a really lovely gift idea that warmed my heart to read about. handmade gifts really do mean so much. praying for your mother.

[@carlbernard7615]

Read Deejay D's comment at the top about acidic products if you're planning on doing this, some great advice specifically for people in your situation.

[@IntuitionSpeaks]

Thank you for this beautiful tutorial! Getting to the point and showing things step by step! I am confident after watching this, that I am able to bind my first book with the excess paper from all my other note books! Love it!

[@ellesaurus]

I've been watching you for quite a while now (first, because the bookbinding sounds are incredibly soothing, then because I got fascinated by the craft), and I finally dared to think about starting the hobby myself. This video was incredibly helpful because I got rather overwhelmed by the amount of information out there on the internet, so this helped me build a list of the first few tools and items I'd need. So, a huge thank you!!

[@DyanWandi]

Your tutorial is very clear and meticulously done. So calming and I enjoy watching it. Thank you 🤗

[@bryandonahue8302]

Thank you for the lovely tutorial, a recommendation I would make is to try and stick with etched steel rulers. The etched marks make it much easier to register to a specific measurement, and even softer metal rulers (like aluminum) and be cut/nicked fairly easily.

[@Splatterpunk_OldNewYork]

Awesome tutorial. So simple and aesthetically pleasing too. Now I can make my own types of covers. Thank you.

[@janelane505]

I Love how clean and comprehensive your vids are. Very helpful!! I'm learning a lot. Thank you for making them 😊

[@imaneems7732]

I just discovered your channel and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your tutorials see here in Algeria these kind of craft works and book binding isn't for everyone the materials are not found easily and all and me im 18 yo by loving fanfics i discovered that you can put your fav fics into actual books i searched for tutorials and easy ways to fond materials and their alternative... Your channel is really helping me do that i never done this before but im tryna collect the maximum of information concerning this passion and eventually I'll bind a book by myself someday ❤️

[@kenzashenna]

Salam Imane, do you have family in Europe? I’m from Morocco unfortunately but I always go there intus summer, if I had a cousin ask me to order this stuff on Amazon maybe I would bring it! If you have someone, ask them if they can find it and bring it when they visit ❤❤ I’ve calculated about 40-50 euros total for a big starter set, a great gifting idea!😊

[@syedalishanzaidi1]

Beautiful tutorial. I am going to resume after a long gap, just to book bind hard copies of my books to give printers and publishers to print in bulk. Many thanks. ❤

[@JojosCraftyLove]

Cutting book block by hand.... knowing me, my left hand with the ruler would slip and I would stuff up the entire block. lol! Thank you for such a wonderful video! It looks like a lot of fun! :)

[@taosartbooks]

Beautiful tutorial; and great reference for anyone wanting to explore this art form. Well done.

[@sherylvalentiner6115]

Thank you for the very thorough, easy to follow instructions. 💜

[@inesamado2006]

This video is very relaxing and explained in a straightforward way something complex for a beginner, I loved the lighting which, in addition to bringing a calm and nostalgic feeling, helps to better see what is happening in the video, another thing I would like to point out is that the position of the camera made it perfectly clear what was being done, being a mythical work, this is important I wish you had more information on the materials because I clicked on the video to find out where you bought them. very good, keep up the good work

[@mechsistah2395]

The book press you made is a great idea, thanks for sharing that!

[@ayadaya_dah6433]

Esto es muy probablemente el mejor vídeo que he visto en la semana, dayani de futuro, cuando veas esto, recuerda como te sentiste, esto fue reconfortante, fue hermoso volver a valorar las preciadas cosas y técnicas que son hacerlas a mano, quiero intentarlo, el mejor video sobre encuadernación, realmente impresionante y tan bonito.

[@artxlife7236]

Love this video! You can create feathered edges that blend out seamlessly on the tissue paper by using the ruler and a simple wet line to tear the paper instead of cutting it ❤

[@lauraweiss7875]

Wow! I’ve been struggling with the concept of having to spend $200-300 on a heavy duty guillotine. Thanks to you video, I can have clean edges on my text blocks while I save up for that purchase!

[@rowan8133]

This tutorial/showcase of materials has been so helpful! It definitely reduced my anxiety to start bookbinding ^^

[@toolkatlofi]

even your voice is relaxing. Sometimes I'm just listening to your videos while binding my own books :)

[@patriciarodilesguzman5576]

Gracias... Muy bonita explicación....y muy profesional su trabajo ... Felicidades..! 👏👏👏

[@catsonnets]

This was so helpful! I’m just getting into bookbinding and this video was so well explained and easy to understand. Thank you!

[@fabioewerton7245]

Hi, I'm brazilian, and you have beatifull hands, your job is awesome, thanks for your videos.

[@bu3asalli]

The book looks phenomenal. Great tutorial!

[@TatianaChernay]

Your tutorial is very clear and meticulously done. So calming and I enjoy watching it. Thank you

[@sassimom1mom895]

BEAUTIFUL! I want to do this for my oldest son & his new fiance' for a wedding album of photos of them that they have through the years!

[@graceepstein3113]

Thank you Chanel - if I could make a book even 10% as well as you I would be happy. You are so patient, honest, skilled, neat and precise...yowsers!

[@BlueLineofthesky]

I love your channel. I am using it as an ASMR that helps me relax. Too much technology around me so looking at what you are doing and listening to the sounds...simply makes me happy. Because of you I just started working with paper and cardboard, making small boxes. But I have many issues with the glue / adhesive I am using because it is causing wrinkles on the paper. I am gluiing paper on cardboard but no matter what glue I am using, my paper gets wrinkle. :(:(:( I am using PVA type glue of few different brands. THank you for sharing all this info. You are a hero!

[@zachariahboss]

This is really helpful! Your videos are always so calming and pleasant, they really help me wind down in the evening

[@EnuelZ]

One of the best videos of Bookbinding I ever see.

[@لولا-م9ص]

Thank you very much. I suffered from this matter and threw many bad notebooks that I made because I have little experience, but this video helped me a lot in reaching the wonderful result

[@CTisMe]

I enjoy watching people use their digits for something creative

[@saschaforeal3009]

your hands are so beautiful ! thank you for the soundtrack also! so many instruction youtube have that annoying banjo music. instruction so clear.. everything you need to know nothing extra. a model example for any instructional video!

[@InevitableUniverse]

This was so therapeutic and relaxing to watch 🥰 I want to start bookbinding too, and this was excellent information. Thank you!

[@hypogogix9125]

That is awesome. I am going to print and bind my own books before sending them to a publisher. Thank you.

[@mplcreative]

You did such a good job with this video. It's easy to understand and has good details.

[@graceng7986]

I enjoyed your video very much and found it helpful for my book making project. One thing though, as a quilter and running a quilt store in another life, you never use a rotary blade by cutting it towards you as you did in 8:20. It’s unstable, thus making it unsafe. It should move upwards, away from your body. Also the ruler you used is not the right one because it’s metal and so thin, it can mount up and cut your finger. Quilting rulers have a height of 1/8” to 1/4” thus preventing the blade from veering over to the hand that holds the ruler. Just FYI because people who watch your video may not realize this.

[@Peanuts4me2008]

I'm a librarian and I spend a lot of time doing book repair and we get a lot of our glues and tapes from demco. It's a lot better than some of the craft glues because they are heat resistant. They're also archival quality.

[@yasmeenalrumaidh339]

One of the best tutorial videos I have ever seen. Thanks a lot!

[@erickasaborio234]

Que trabajo más lindo, muchas gracias🙏👏👏

[@familydog2218]

This video came at exactly the right time. I was just watching your other videos and trying to figure out what to get to start!

[@_missingtornado]

This is so relaxing and, at the same time, so interesting!

[@joanpringle-canning2834]

🤗🤗appreciate your tutorials and this one is simply wonderful. Your books are a piece of art to greatly enjoy.💞💞💞

[@giulias.5104]

Nice choice of music (and lovely explained and very useful explanation, thank you!)! 💖

[@molf9a]

I'm trying to bind a book for the first time as an anniversary gift. I am thrilled, but also quite nervous. Besides watching videos like theese, is there anything else I should know? Is there any way to ensure a clean job without a lot of practice?

[@jaime922]

Wow I think your videos are amazing and your instructions are perfect! They really do help you understand the process. I think I prefer your videos with audio (talking). Keep up the great work! 😊

[@gambarimas]

Beautiful ! I love books with hard cover. Now I know I can make mine at home, thank you. Subscribed.

[@lindaharris2607]

WOW--and thank you for a wonderful video with such relaxing music! Brilliantly made tutorial!

[@madiha_tanveer273]

I made a tiny sketchbook using your tutorial. It os faaar from even and oerfect but everyone was amazed how i made the book myself 🤣 i love sketching on it!

[@1221Midori]

Watercolor sketchbooks are usually really expensive in Brazil, so thank you for your video. I'll definitely do one at home.

[@random40s]

Very awesome! I definitely want to try it!👍👍

[@plants53]

It turned out beautiul. Love your video, precise, not too much chatter. Thank you

[@jennifersmith9420]

This is so amazing and you did such a beautiful job❣️Thank You for sharing with us❣️

[@dbdcrafts6542]

Beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[@RadeonArch2437]

God bless you, Thanks for saving the hand made works and sharing it.

[@cliffbrown2297]

Thank you, I learned a few tips. Hera's one in return. I noticed when you clamped your book ( great homemade book clamp ) the wood end grain was facing you as you look at the binding. If you rotate it 90 Deg, so the end grain is on the left and right as you look at the binding. The clamp will be much stronger, you can clamp it much tighter without cracking the boards. Best of luck .

[@bbg5000]

This was a great video. Informative, inspiring, relaxing. Now I feel like binding books. Thank you!

[@TissavandeWege]

I love how you explained everything and I wil try your method. Thanks for the video.

[@mandybeeler5431]

Thank you for this wonderful video, especially the part where you console all those that try to cut the bookblock... In my case, the bookblock looked as if chopped off with a blunt axe 🙈 and, as you mentioned got smaller and smaller the more I tried. I'm looking forward to more of your videos❤

[@christineewing3492]

Lovely watching you do this. Your shop website is very impressive, too.

[@captainciz]

Your craft and videography is beautiful. Well done!

[@PRAKASH-cm1vo]

Hello Pretty Wonderful tutorial. Thank you very much. Here is a new subscriber from India. 🙏🙏🙏

[@linl344]

What a beautiful job! I am hoping to try book binding ... I can see I will need lots of care and attention to detail. Thanks for sharing your skilled work ❤

[@giacintasinibaldi4884]

Thank you Chanel to share

[@anapaulatavares1931]

this is one of the best videos i've found in youtube! liked and subscribed!

[@katehirst6046]

Thank you, l really enjoyed this. I'd suggest 2 rotary cutters if you intend to cut paper and cloth: one each.

[@jkjiynoursql1056]

OMG--- I'm a nursing student and I *really* wanted to make my own pocket notebook... and then I found this amazing video! Thank u sm!

[@j0hello]

Good idea if the notebook is covered in something you can wipe/disinfect if you carry it with you. Just a thought x

[@piotrszymczak5772]

A beautifully done tutorial, thank you so much.

[@IronEarthDesigns]

You do beautiful work, and the background music is wonderfully soothing. The book press looks like bamboo. Do you know if Bamboo is hard to drill? I was thinking that two cutting boards could be an simple DIY.

[@agalyaganesh4209]

Good work as usual.I love your style of books.It has inspired me to make such beautiful books 😍

[@MarAswang]

Buen trabajo, gracias por mostrarlo.

[@elioneloredo3063]

Lindo e perfeito trabalho. Obrigada por compartilhar. Moro no Sul do Brasil. Abraços... 👏👏👏💓😘

[@myaespaara]

Super satisfying video🫶☺️

[@DebKiwi]

Hi Chanel, I love listening to you explaining your processes. Your voice is so relaxed and soothing (it’s always nice when my ears are also happy). I can’t wait to get your new book. Quick question, have you changed anything since making this video? A product or technique that you now prefer? Especially since creating your book, which I can say I’ll truly appreciate everything you put into it after watching that video. Thanks so much! 😃

[@marcya4428]

It would be super useful if you also explained the terms like signature, text block, etc

[@kurenaiuzumaki1584]

i've been waiting for this. thanks so much!!!!!!

[@mhov20]

amazing, simple and distressing, thank you so much

[@dimitrascraftstories6638]

Very useful video for people who are beginers

[@exxxc1ted]

for cutting a book block better to use a single bevel (chisel bevel) blade/knife. Otherwise it's not going to be straight at the right angle, like you see in the video.

[@monstavi111]

I dont like book binding i just like making my own things. Im getting into commonplace books and i want my books to be super thick and messy, and i once made my own sketchbook which turned out exactly like i wanted it to, so now i prefer making my own! Thanks!

[@kalirossi920]

Love! The book came out so nice ☺️💕