Why My Old DIY Books Are Falling Apart...

[@MrZoe91]

As someone who keeps clothes entirely too long, elastic just breaks down over time. I've gotten rid of clothes that still fit because the elastic stopped working and was too hard to replace. The rubber just breaks down over time.

[@delsoldesigns6901]

Exactly it's just disintegrates over time. I ride a motorcycle and that's the reason I need to replace the helmet every few years as the foam inside just deteriorates over time

[@iknownothing-49]

This was more then interesting. It was important.

[@minmogrovingstrongandhealthy]

There are rubber materials that last decades but there are some that fall apart within few months ... I found even recently upon my office cleaning up simple rubber bands that didn't break or melt and some are even older then me, they look and work exactly like how I left them in box a decade ago, however I did throw them away soon after "just in case". My mother developed a hoarding habit of elastics of any kind and one of which are rubber bands, some are sourced from a factory where she works some are bought in stores, markets, etc. They melt and I keep throwing them away but she keeps hoarding the same stuff back in. I isolate them from other things but she keeps making a mess and mixing them in with items in which they melt into eventually. It's been about 10 years or so the production quality of things got so worsened that everything falls apart and these rubber bands too simply melt within just few months if you use it or not, doesn't matter if it's hot or cold, so I also thanks to all that developed a phobia from elastics ... My mother's rubber bands keep creepin into my things that melt into my items and 90% of times it's a permanent damage ... safe to say that I am super-angry when I lose something due to this. So my suggestion is never keep them around things that you really care about. But my suggestion is to simply stop using them all together. And yeah related to this two years ago I replaced the rubber strips in some of my track suits but they are already stretched and useless. The original rubber strips that was inside lasted 20 years, just to show you what type of materials are used today and what was used before and yeah they don't make them like this before and I think if you even manage to source high quality items you will probably pay some unrealistic amount of money for it, just so you can use it for the simplest things around. So thanks to all that I started simply using good fabric strings and real leather belts, everything else can go to hell XD I am DONE with elastics forever so as any faked materials fabrics etc. Another plague of things are the faked leather, they are placed on EVERYTHING, from headphones, to furniture to clothes literarly everything and I hate it so much they make such a mess and bits and pieces of it that fall apart glue themseleves into other things it's legit like a plague everything and everyone have these and I can't help but be stressed about what item will glue onto me and my clothes next ... It's a health hazard so as the fact that makes damage to things too. 10+ years ago I didn't had these problems since things were made from good materials, nowadays they are a every day issue even on high end products ... sick of it all.

[@lozartist]

Elastic is a Problem in the doll community too, there's several types of doll that are strung with elastic and that will need replaced over time. Same thing with clothes, anything with elastic it wears out like crazy over time. It sucks because idk if there's a more archival solution?

[@vickiefowler1429]

Don’t be embarrassed… This is great information to share! I appreciate knowing what works best and what doesn’t… especially glues! I’ve used lots of different kinds of glue… some hold up great and some give up the ghost after only a couple of years.

[@robinalcorn5140]

Really interesting! I remember watching many of your bookbinding videos and liking them so much. Re: elastic. They don't make it like they used to. I have clothing from the 60's and 70's with perfectly good elastic. Today's elastic gives out long before a garment does. Aggravating.

[@recoveringsoul755]

I know rubber bands get brittle and crumble apart. What do you think the older elastic was made with that it's still holding up So well decades later?

[@vickiefowler1429]

@@recoveringsoul755 … something I learned in the 1980s, when I discovered that I was sensitive to latex… when processing rubber sap into solid rubber (latex) they had previously used a natural process which involved just letting it slowly agitate (rocker trays) in water for a day or two. This process made a very high quality product. They (the rubber manufacturers) decided this took too long due to the constant demand for more so they decided to speed up the process by using a chemical additive which would solidify the sap in minutes - hence the allergies and the eventual brittleness. One would think there would still be a market for rubber made the old-fashioned way… but, I don’t think we’ll see a comeback anytime soon.

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@vickiefowler1429 wow. That's really interesting. And tragic. I would think the high end clothing designers would still want the good kind. We have plastic rubber bands now though, don't we? Plastic probably has the same problems. All kinds of bright colors and even clear

[@vickiefowler1429]

@@recoveringsoul755 …. I would think the medical industry would want higher grade rubber as well. This is where my latex allergy always kicks in. Also, I worked for Goodyear for a while and some of their customers will pay premium prices for higher grade rubber to make better tires.

[@ceciliadueppen]

I've reused some elastic from up cycled clothes from the 60s-80s that are honestly better quality than fresh elastic now

[@JenniferDurdleArt]

THANK YOU for making this video. Seeing what’s gone wrong is so helpful, as embarrassing as it may be to show that you’ve had something not hold up. I find that if I see the experts make mistakes too, I’m less hard on myself when I do. ❤❤ Elastic is a natural material, and deteriorates over time. It stretches out and loses its ability to pull back in. When it gets old enough it will actually dry and just crumble apart. Didn’t know a ph pen was a thing, definitely going to get one. Also good to know zazzle prints on acid free paper. I’ve never ordered from them, but will check them out now.

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

1:03 - Natural rubber-based elastic is almost guaranteed to fail with age. No different than old rubber bands or elastic waist bands in clothing.

[@berolinastrassmann]

This was excellent, thank you so much. I saw the older videos and learnt so much. However, this "test of time" shows why it is so important to use acid free materials and follow the grain of the paper/board. I look forward to the rebinding videos.

[@catpawrosales4265]

Elastic deteriorates over time, in humid conditions it can get sticky, and in dry environments crispy. Same for elastic on clothes and lycra. Don't be embarrased - we're all here to learn together

[@saberkite]

Your bookbinding videos were the ones I watched nearly 9 years ago, when I tried to make my own sketchbook. I love how easy they were to follow, and how stress-free they were. Love this look back at them (I see some familiar ones!) and thank you for the tips.

[@KrisFlint]

Elastic deteriorates over time as it ages and breaks down it will become loose start breakdown, I don’t know any elastic that would be considered archival. Another option for book board could be mat board, used in picture framing, it is archival safe and comes in heaps of colours. You can probably buy off cuts from you local framing store at a discounted price. With the bubbles under the vinyl cover, it could be that there were missed areas of glue or the board used might be more fibrous and separated from other layers in the board this can sometimes give the appearance of bubbles. Your books are fantastic and not all of them need to be archival safe, making books archival safe can be a lot more expensive.

[@SeaLemonDIY]

After design school I had a bunch of black museum board left over, which I ended up using for book board. It worked but after awhile I preferred using the archival book board. I should give it another try though!

[@robinsanchi5490]

Matt board costs a lot more than art paper backer board. I used to grab the discarded matt centers when the art department of my school was mounting their annual student show. Some were small, but I took them as a challenge and would make dos a dos books or tiny screening with them! Free is my favorite word 😁

[@robinsanchi5490]

Sketchbooks, not screening... 😕

[@pernillemakholm645]

I have actually made holes in the cover and sewn on the elastic - for the exact reason that it would be easier to replace. I can just snip the stitches and stitch on a new elastic.

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Good idea!

[@heathervanek8762]

Thank you for sharing! It seemed to be a little embarrassing for you. Please don't feel that way! We all make mistakes, and it helps to share them and what you would do differently next time. I hadn't even thought of checking my card stock, paper, recyclable boxes, etc. Very informative 😊

[@Lady_dromeda]

I hope you do a series fixing the old books, that would be cool

[@kathrynmccluskey3207]

Thanks for an informative retrospective on bookmaking. Elastic lasts, but not forever. Time and environment is a challenge we all face. I’m always excited to see your continuing content.

[@emielabalahin465]

This is a great video, which is helpful for helping us to understand the deterioration of all books and journals after some time. I purchased a journal with an elastic band some time ago, and the elastic only lasted about 4 years with rare use. I think the elastic itself naturally wears out, much like rubber bands after a few years.

[@SeaLemonDIY]

I wonder what a longer lasting alternative would be for a closure material... Ribbon or string is bulkier to wrap around but it would last 🤔

[@berolinastrassmann]

​@@SeaLemonDIYPerhaps an elastic band which is not attached to the book? Like those ones where they have a loop for a pencil? So if/when the elastic deteriorates, you can use a new elastic band. While the book is in use, it can hold the pages if you are writing or sketching.

[@63dragnstr]

Takes guts to admit problems encountered in work and use them as learning experiences

[@blutwilight]

That testing pen is a game changer!

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Yes! I'm making little test marks on everything 😄

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Jenn, I hesitate to say this, but I have actually experienced some bad elastic in clothes and sketchbook binding! I read several comments and I agree elastic is made so cheaply today, very sad! Thank you for sharing your experience with us and your honesty is truly appreciated. I am looking forward to seeing your binding redo in a future video.

[@RhymingMime]

Excited for the rebinding video!

[@AngelavengerL]

This was super interesting. I think the first two books bindings look crazy good for 10 years. Especially considering the spine on the first is exposed. The pen was interesting.

[@kitgar61]

I think we can all look back on previous projects and know that we would and could do better now. I have the same feeling about past knitting and crochet projects I've done. I've even ripped some out and remade them. Very satisfying! It shows that you've learned and grown your craft and is something to be proud of, not embarrassed. I would love to see you remake the book with the yellowing packing tape too. Great video Jennifer!

[@KatieKayL]

I really appreciate you - this is an amazing video. Being able to celebrate what worked and learn from what didn't from projects that are ten years old... what an incredible investment and resource! I have enjoyed your videos for years and even though I'm just a random internet stranger, I just admire you. I think it definitely takes bravery and vulnerability to reflect on older projects like this. Both for the wins and the things learned! Thanks for continuing to share helpful and authentic videos 💖

[@jessicab2202]

Thanks for keeping it real! I love that some of these still work and are absolutely fit for purpose, but you acknowledge best practise and how they could be improved, and what you’d recommend for others or what you plan to do in the future. Thanks for keeping it real!

[@sarahcorvidae3573]

looking forward to the video on how to prevent the spine piece from falling out - I did a watercolour sketchbook with this type of binding last year and have been having the same issue. cheers!

[@yamayama-l8l]

Over a decade 💀 bruh i remember discovering your channel when it only had a handful of videos. And i was eagerly waiting for each release because there really weren't any other videos on KZbin explaining this stuff. Man time flies.

[@BlackPixelDustt]

Thanks for sharing this. A lot of good ideas of what to avoid. I've only once had rhe elastic of a sketchbook go bad on me. That was a commercial sketchbook. I barely use the elastics, so that was puzzling. It just got really loose and soggy. My first idea of how to fix it is cut the elastic and sew it back together. Yeah, I only use the elastic when I have loose papers hanging out of my sketchbook or I'm physically traveling on something like a train or plane where I don't want the sketchbook exposed to damage. I guess I use up my sketchbooks faster than they can wear out, and use them less than other people, it seems. I can't think of a "better elastic brand" to use because they're all made of the same basic materials. Maybe look into elastic used for undergarments and couture sewing? The pH pen is so great! I high key want one. But I already assume the materials (other than the paper) are not acid free. My idea is to spray the boards i use with clear acrylic spray or acrylic medium to create a barrier from the drawing paper. The sewing fabric I have *should* be pH neutral but the cover paper... yeah.

[@johnfoster2592]

Thanks Sea Lemon for all you teach!

[@aileenoneill5619]

Such an honest & helpful video! Thank you

[@gamigirlHeatherB]

Such an informative video! Thank you 🙏 I’m now wondering about all of my handmade journals and their longevity 😊

[@RhymingMime]

I imagine living in the tough environment of Arizona the elastic had more heat+dryness to contend with, even inside!

[@SeaLemonDIY]

I think you're right!

[@mikouf9691]

Thanks for sharing this. It's very helpful to see long-term outcomes from art/craft projects. I think your books look pretty good, regardless of the ravages of time and acidity, LOL. With regard to the elastic: I've had the same experience with store-bought journals. I have three that I used consecutively from 2016 to 2022. The last one (2021-2022) seems fine, but the middle one (2018-2020) is a little loose and the oldest is very loose. I just cut the elastic off that one. I'm not a bookbinder, but I get what you're saying about compromising on the "rules" if the results work for you. Obviously, if the bookbinder wants the book to last a lifetime or more or wants to sell it, it would be worth going the extra mile. When it's for personal use, the user can decide what they can accept. Ideally, people who are aware of possible long-term problems and are making tutorials should warn their readers/viewers so they can make informed decisions.

[@JenniferMakesy]

I've wanted to get into book binding for a while, so these are great lessons to know going forward. Thanks!❤

[@Amanda.Jayne.]

What a great video! Thank you for taking the time to put it together. 😀👍

[@lizvanwessem2055]

Great video for learning from - and one that takes a certain amount of courage to post, which I admire! Would very much like you to make a follow up video. What did you do right out of those old books? which one has survived the best? (elastic - I've old notebooks by the BIG notebook brands, the ones you can pay a lot of money for, and the elastic has gone on those as well. Don't think that was anything you were doing or not.)

[@armsofsnow]

Very helpful and really interesting! I'm so glad you decided to make and share this video, thank you so much :) Would love to see more like this.

[@idk4129]

this is the most ive learned from a youtube video in a while! thank you for sharing!

[@corylcreates]

Rubber elastic specifically (from the natural latex tree rubber source) can break down because of microbes. Natural rubbers and elastic break down a lot faster than people expect for something so common in clothing. It's also why rubber bands/elastic bands just break apart or split after many years. Synthetic elastic can have this issue too, just depends on how it's made, but I never count on elastic materials lasting long.

[@robinsanchi5490]

Yes, rubber, that is in elastic simply decays over the years. I don't like using it in long term pieces for that reason.

[@Wikiwi_]

I do not think that "falling apart" is correct tho... He binding is still there and the books work. It's just that time does things but stor bought books can be the same so idk...

[@ChantelleArts]

this is so interesting, thank you for sharing ☺☺

[@stephany4512]

Thanks for the advice!

[@SuzieMaster]

That's really nice to watch, I've followed you for many years and I love the authenticity you always seem to have! I've seen in the comments already, but yeah all elastics do that :( *Maybe a video about alternative book closures would be cool? I've seen a lot of it on Pinterest and I think it would be PERFECT for your channel, if it's something you wanna do* The struggle of finding acid free/archival safe materials is REAL! My absolute favorite adhesive is a quite strong (and wide) double sided tape (works really great on cloth too). It's SOO nice, stable and easy to work with and gives great result, it has never caused any air bubbles or warping for me (and it needs no drying time). Sadly it's not acid free though, so I use it on things where I don't mind it too much if it ages :( Also - I should really buy a pen like that, but when I've tested if material/pens etc. seem archival safe (including acid free), I usually put the material on the window sill (or where they're the most exposed to the sun): A1) Paper/board/other: Take one test piece and place it on the window sill. Keep another comparing piece safely in a drawer or similar (or the whole original material). B1) Pens/paint: Scribble (or paint) a little bit on a piece of acid free paper and place that on the window sill. -- _if it's VERY acidic or have lousy pigment, you could see it after a day or two without even having to compare_ -- _otherwise, leave it for up to 2 weeks maybe, or the time you have_ A2) Compare the test pieces of material to the comparing piece/original material. B2) Take a new piece of paper to scribble on, using the same pens as before, and compare it to the test piece It's no guarantee I guess, but it speeds up the process instead of waiting for years. For me there has been a few materials or pens that SEEMED good and I intended to use them for archival safe uses, but some turned out to be REALLY affected by this little trial. And everything that has passed it haven't given me any trouble :)

[@tafellappen8551]

Ive definitely taken old clothes out of my closet or drawers and gone “oh yeah i want to wear this again” and i go to pick it up and the old elastic goes craaack like a glowstick 😂

[@madebylora]

Did you use old knicker elastic for your book closures? Haha just kidding! I love that you made this video and showed things that you are embarrassed about! I think it’s important for people to know it’s a learning curve and we can’t ever know it all. People who give the impression that they do know it all, are not appealing to watch because it’s discouraging for the rest of us! Thank you! (Ps, I’m also not that bothered about paper/board grain direction unless it easily fits the proportions I want to make)

[@Marta_z_Dabrowy]

I had similar problems with elastic bands. After three-four years of using (or not using) they are loose and not elastic anymore.

[@CheleinSF]

Great video and extremely informative. Thank you for sharing this🌻

[@Meeptome]

Elastic just doesnt last - the chemical bonds arent the most stable so it, as well as a number of plastics, rubber, resin and the like will just stop working when exposed to heat, uv light, and well time. Just kinda is what it is.

[@readyplayerart3mis]

Thank you, as someone who has a bunch of your old videos in a saved list for "projects to do," this will be helpful when i actually get to the project! Also, do you have any tips on how to repair a commercial sketchbook that's falling apart? I use washi tape as edge protection on the pages when i paint in it, and it was bound too tightly by the manufacturer in the first place. I do use it pretty hard, as i like to carry it around with me. It's cracked in the spine between pages several times, and i keep trying to repair it with my very rudimentary bookbinding skills. I've used book tape and glue, I've removed pages, taken it apart and rebound it, and still it finds places to crack over time. It's a really cool sketchbook, and I'm about two thirds of the way through it, so I'd just like it to last. What can i do to save it?

[@AldWitch]

Elastic in use is permanently under stress. Something's gotta give!

[@AICrocheter]

Moleskin sketch books have the same elastic issues ~

[@xiao668]

The aged look makes it look loved 🥺

[@glummdead]

I have bought moleskine (and other notebooks with elastic on them) and the elastic *never* lasts very long.

[@DuluthTW]

Great info. Thanks for sharing!

[@RevertYahya]

Elastic "droop." While I do not know if this is the actual culprit, as an artist I am very aware of how humidity and temperature impact ink and the way it dries and cures. I live in the Pacific North West. Specifically I live near Puget Sound. Think Seattle. All ink works differently here. (Seems unrelated, keep reading). It is humid here all of the time regardless of if it's raining (it does that a lot) or hot, because we are so close to a constant source of moisture. I have never once had elastic fail or droop on me like that, and the Moleskine I've kept for nearly 20 years (the first 18 of which it was unused, for clarity) is included in that statement. The only elastic "droop" I've experienced was from thin notebooks of 8x10 or larger size where the elastic started out loose. Moisture is crucial to the flexibility of any material, including human skin (lotion, anyone?). It would not surprise me if dehydration of elastic fabrics contributes to fiber breakdown, whether or not those fibers are used/stretched.

[@RevertYahya]

Also I very much appreciate your willingness to share your early shortcomings. So many "masters" these days do not acknowledge their early mistakes. While they may have mastered their skills at their craft, they have not mastered the skills at the craft of maturity. From my observation, maturity gets one much further, and that includes the willingness to accept and acknowledge areas of improvement. From the past as well as the present. Thank you for being you.

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Thanks! I live in the desert so I think the dryness contributes to the loose elastic bands.

[@raelynngoodwin2525]

Im looking at doing single page binding with a Coptic stitch but i have a cover already made for it, will i have trouble covering it with a binder instead of the board is stitched to?

[@Vanessa-vx8wm]

I didn’t understand the gran direction thing 😰

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Here's a video I made (many years ago) which explains the grain and other ways to prevent warping: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYebk2l_l7Z-rpo

[@VeganDoris]

Thank you - it is helpful!

[@galaxy_mosaic3587]

hmm, I have followed a number of your bookbinding tutorials. after watching majority of this video (for the types of books that I've bound personally), I believe your title is a bit harsh. I wouldn't say your books are falling apart. but I can't think offhand of a different wording. I will need to review my own bound books to check that the bindings are ok but I bind fairly tightly so I don't think there would be any issue. I remember that section about using tape to reinforce the holes and I felt in my case, I had kind of thick watercolor paper, I didn't need reinforcement so skipped the tape. (not to mention stitching single sheets of paper together is kind of time-consuming - lol). I think the issue with the elastic probably has to do with properties of rubber under the elastic (under the fabric part). like when you have a rubber band for too long and it just falls apart or becomes brittle. but I don't know scientifically what is the cause of that... I'm unsure if there is actually any way to repair that as well (vs replacement).

[@mjsloan92]

Hey, new idea, for the issue of the spine on the Crisscross Book...REMOVABLE BOOK MARK 😂😂😂

[@janinesunman913]

The elastic band has rubber in it and this perishes over time

[@DanielCornerthe]

Thoughts on Jade 403 PVA?

[@queenofdramatech]

As a librarian, I can say that is probably mold. Ewwww!

[@SeaLemonDIY]

😩

[@Sara-bear-a]

Thanks this was helpful

[@marywalden8391]

Great Information

[@Canadaindy152]

Here is an idea. Take one of your books you made years ago and remake them. See what changes and what remains the same. 😊

[@gemmi1]

Please can you tell us where you got the ph testing pen from?

[@SeaLemonDIY]

Check out the links in the description. It's available on Amazon: amzn.to/3HFlFst (affiliate link)

[@gemmi1]

@@SeaLemonDIY thank you!

[@DrWisdomForUSPresident]

👍

[@JoAnnCorley]

black growth - it actually looks like mold. 🙂 if so, best to throw it away. (health hazard)

[@recoveringsoul755]

She can try to clean it. Might be mildew and not toxic black mold

[@seigeengine]

I'm not trying to make heirlooms that'll be passed down for generations. A little yellowing doesn't concern me unless it's an artbook where it may mess with colors, and even then my concern is low. Chances are if you're using a material that's really gonna age badly, you're not in a position to be being picky anyway. So if someone is gonna criticize you for using non-archival materials, in a hobby project no less, they're blatantly out of touch with reality.

[@jennglow4647]

😀