Testing DIY Book Cloth Alternatives (No HeatnBond)

[@JacquiSimpsonArt]

My absolute favorite method of making bookcloth is using wheat paste. I buy large sheets of pattern paper (tissue paper) and cut them down to the size of my fabric. I wipe my surface with a damp cloth then lay down the paper and stretch it out to straighten. Then using a large flat brush I apply a thin layer of wheat paste to the paper and gently lay my fabric on top. Using a large roller I then flatten it and leave to dry. The awesome thing about wheat paste is that it is cheap to make and dries absolutely transparent, so even if it were to bleed through (which it generally doesn't) it does not leave marks. This is honestly my best method and I have tried so many.

[@BluishDani]

It would be awesome if you made a video about it, thanks for the tip!

[@michaw7408]

Thank you so much for sharing! This is exactly what I was looking for

[@pnumenwiese]

Absolutely! And it is the best to attaching lether on cardboard or even thin plywood! A great alternative is cling film with paper on top or even freezer paper.

[@taniabn]

What I used to do way back when I did bookbinding was very simple. I would add a very thin coat of pva glue with a sponge brush to a sheet of paper and the carefully applied the fabric directly onto it, just pressing lightly with my hands, so the fabric threads were straight. That works with thin fabrics because, using a sponge brush, you can apply a VERY thin layer of glue to the paper, and also, there is a little bit of time for the glue to slightly dry before making contact with the fabric, so it never sipped through. Then I would just place it under a weight, or iron it with low heat after the glue dried. Worked perfectly every time and made the fabric super easy to work with, without any glue stains. Also prevented the board texture from coming through the cloth.

[@ersehersul]

omg i used to watch you when i was 8. i got so much into trouble for wasting paper trying to book bind (they turned out shit haha). now im in uni thinking about starting binding books again. you were a huge part of my childhood

[@meghanclark2367]

I took a little bookbinding in college and we would use water, starch paste, and a little dish soap to almost fuse the paper and fabric together. It was a longer process but sturdy

[@QuivaRPG]

I use a hair dryer or heat gun to relax vinyl. If I'm using a hair dryer I have to hold it close-ish to the fabric, on the high setting. It's the reverse for a heat gun; lowest setting and farther away. Either way, it's a pretty delicate procedure and if someone has never used either device to to soften something, I'd recommend a LOT of caution. Better to be careful and take longer than try to rush and ruin the vinyl. Even I take a long time to do it, going back and forth to the project to let the fabric cool, and I've been doing it for decades.

[@springlockedfoxy8396]

Hey there! I've been making books for about four years now, and I use the purple gluesticks directly on the bookboard to adhere my more delicate cotton covers to my books. I haven't had any issues with air pockets, and the books turn out great! I'm able to use almost any type of fabric this way!

[@evangelinelough730]

This is what I do as well ☺️👍🏼

[@adventureswithanalog]

By purple glue stick do you mean the Elmer’s disappearing glue stick or Scotch permanent glue stick? So curious and would love to try your method! Thanks 😊

[@springlockedfoxy8396]

@@adventureswithanalog I do! I've been using it for years, and it's been working fantastically for me!

[@beverleyf5290]

I use medium weight iron on interfacing (is it Pellon in US). I glue stick the interfacing to the board with the iron side facing up. Lay the boards in place, ie correct spacing. Then lay fabric on top and iron, gives a really sharp finish. I’ve also used Heat n Bond in same manner, with no paper. Also glued the boards to paper, then wrapped the fabric, so its only glued on inside edges. All options work.

[@nwgibbons3037]

Jennifer- How I iron vinyl: start with 2 clean dish clothes that are damp but not wringing wet. Make a “sandwich”: dish cloth, vinyl shiny side down, dish cloth. Warm iron to medium (I use the wool setting), start from the center of the sandwich and press outward to the edges- pressure depends on how thick the vinyl is. The damp dish rags get steaming and relax the creases in the vinyl. Your pal, Nate

[@stephaniehansen6936]

Ah, Nate, you're a TREASURE!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this!!! You've just made me a VERY happy woman!!! Lordy now child but I can't thank you enough! Have a charmed life my friend! Cheers...Steph, in Ontario, Canada

[@Nanakinsz]

Two suggestions for your next test: Have you considered ROLLING on the fabric medium? It will take more, but would be so much faster! And the last one, have you considered using Fabri-Tac as either/both the backing and the adhesive? I always love your experiments, thank you for doing them and sharing what you discover with us! ❤

[@pachupac]

I recommend using the acrylic fabric medium combined with wheat starch paste. You can do both sides without ruining the face and it creates a barrier to moisture and stains. It also accepts hot foil nicely. It will however darken light colors and lighten dark colors, so definitely test it first! This is the method I always use and the cloth is extremely durable.

[@hifoo45]

These are great, thanks for showing us! 📖📘📕📙📚

[@Sunnyreads8]

I love making books. I used your coptic video and now I have a beautiful block just waiting for a cover! Might have to try this.

[@kraznia]

For very thin fabrics, I've experimented with thin batting and fleece as a filler layer between the fabric and board (like quilting). My biggest issue has been fabric stretching over time because I didn't treat the fabric back. Thanks for the ideas to try.

[@admirerofcreativity5295]

That was brilliant! I'm all about finding alternative ways to make things !!

[@melanieruddy399]

Awesome ideas! I love your bookbinding videos!!

[@mareecuree]

thank you so much for doing this! from someone living in a country with very few materials for bookbinding, this is a big help!

[@dyerswoad7088]

Thank you for sharing! Enjoyed seeing all your swatches, it's so fun to experiment!

[@marilynbook4211]

I usually use either wheat paste or the heat and bond but I am going to try the fabric medium, I use that when using inktense on my fabric.

[@katyahum9826]

DAS Bookbinding has a video about preparing the fabric for the bookbinding and it solves many of the problems you mention here in your video. I tried his techniques and work perfectly

[@SharminSonia-g2i]

I love watching your every video. Now, I want to see how you make a video of book binding. Surely there is a lot of trouble in every video.

[@ChantelleArts]

This is wild, I love this ☺☺☺

[@2rexpearl]

Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your videos❤

[@margaretf667]

You can usually un wrinkle vinyl by hitting it with a hairdryer or heat gun (just don't get too close)

[@lissametzger4387]

Have you tried terial magic,. It makes the fabric stiffer so it could work for book cloth.

[@CodyAcoyotee]

What about ScotchGuard? Or something like that sprayed on the backside of the fabric?

[@CodyAcoyotee]

What about ScotchGuard or something similar sprayed on the back of the fabric? Would that work?

[@ScarsofBeauty-t2j]

Hello I find your tutorials for book binding to be very helpful and I plan on making a few of my own but I was wondering if you have any on fore edge and envelope flap for hard book covers?

[@elizabethalang2437]

Girl, I'm a big fan ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊

[@1AlexPeters]

I'm sure this is a stupid question. Could gluing the good or right side of a piece of fabric be a good thing? Couldn't it in a way create a protective laying over the fabric to help keep it clean , make it easier to wipe off?

[@judyhoomalamalama]

I love working with cork . Cork does not get mold n is a bit water proof

[@Estherfay]

When making my own book cloth, I disassemble a clear plastic bag, (freezer type) cut to size, place on the back of my cloth, (fabric is face down on my ironing surface) then place a larger piece of cheap tissue (wrapping type) paper on top of that and iron ( usually on cotton setting) the tissue paper to the fabric, the plastic melts enough that it gives a good barrier, while the tissue paper not only protects the iron, but you leave it in place and it handles the glue quite nicely.

[@coleenknickelbein8063]

I like Pellon 906F fusible interface. But I haven't tried any other methods.

[@torsteinraaby]

Thank you for this!!!!!!

[@jennglow4647]

Very pretty 😀

[@xiao668]

YAAAAAY!! 🎉🎉

[@giangiulio]

Maybe try a small paint roller? Instead of the brush or foam brush...

[@Claudia-io5iq]

Could you use modpodge in place of fabric medium for cotton fabric/canvas?

[@treatsntrinkets]

I saw a video by Gothorella on TikTok a while back where she used acrylic paint on a silkscreen and essentially made an acrylic paint fabric. It was flexible enough that she was able to sew it into a pillow. I never tried it out myself, but my first thought was that could make a cool book cloth.

[@artzy06]

Where did you go? Miss your videos.

[@EvenaToussaint-w3k]

hello, I want to make a notebook and I would like a video of all the materials and tools that I would need please.

[@jaynegreen6279]

You can safely put vinyl in the cloths dryer to de wrinkle. Leave it in long enough for the dryer to heat up and several minutes to heat up the vinyl good. Just take out while it's warm and lay on a flat surface to cool.

[@AnhthuDIY]

Ý tưởng tuyệt vời 🎉chúc bạn luôn thành công 🎉

[@parag_Parag]

Your my very 1st KZbinr whom I subscribe...

[@debgreen5872]

I have fabric fix modge podge and tacky glue can I use any of these to prepare my fabric? also do I have to get the brown paper off the bining it is stuk on there really good and I am worried I may wreck the book. thanks for your help

[@jazzjournal]

Jennifer, I just noticed that this video was 3 months ago. Are you still making videos on KZbin, or are you making content on another platform?

[@karma13612]

I’m wondering the same thing. Hoping she’s OK! I subscribe but am not a Patreon member so maybe Patreon members know if anything is wrong. I’ve watched her videos through the years and always appreciate her knowledge. Hope all is well. All we can do is think positive thoughts!

[@karma13612]

Hi Jennifer, hope all is well. Haven’t heard from you in some time. Looking forward to more great videos in the future. 🙋‍♀️💙💙

[@amarisjoseph]

This is cool

[@debarpitadutta2151]

How to clean the cover fabric later if needed?

[@souvikbasak4717]

Can glue stick be used for canvas?

[@MsBananahsplit]

My heat and bond always ruins my cloth. The fabric will be wrinkle free but the heat and bond has bumps from being folded and it ruins the fabric when i heat it on

[@JamieAndrick]

Why not just use spray adhesive for the book cloth?

[@Dante343]

I wonder what glue was used in olden days. They definitely didn't have heatnbond 😅

[@PhoenyxAshe]

Wheat paste

[@Dante343]

@@PhoenyxAshe Thanks! I realized right after posting the comment that DAS Bookbinding should have covered it and discovered wheat paste. Now I need the patience to boil and prepare it...

[@evangelinelough730]

I use gluestick on the paper then add whatever cloth I want.

[@DrWisdomForUSPresident]

👍

[@SamYamn]

hey ive been following u for 11 yrs, seems like u r slowing down.. i remember when u had lil over 3000subs, anyway just wanted to give u 1very very very important video idea. since all my notebook stitching skill came from your videos(yes you were first teacher) please make a proper tutorial video about this topic.(u can also call it a request) 1. Grab a free PDF/EPUB from online > Print the book with horizontal left and right printing, and I also prefer printing on both sides of the page. This means that each A4 page will cover four pages of the book , basically booklet style printing > cut/process the printed pages properly > print a cover page > bind these all togather > create a hard cover > give finishing touches. (if u want, i can give you a book that i wrote.i mean if u cant find just tell me here)