Another always wanted to...check!

I've always wanted to do more to learn about making a book than just read about it or admire other people's work, and this weekend I finally did it. I made a 6" x 6" Coptic bound sketch book with heavily textured paper-covered end boards and stitching that is a little too lightweight, but seems to be doing the job.

 

 

Next time I would use a heavier cord and drill bigger holes in the end boards to accommodate the stitching. The stitching went very fast, once I figured out a stitch that would work. I looked at a few tutorials online, but somehow reality didn't match up with what I was seeing on the screen. As long as I don't try to use this as a journal on a camping trip, it should be just fine. But still, I need to figure out a sturdier stitch if I ever make another.

The best part about this kind of book is that it opens flat so you don't have to fight with it when you're trying to write. Or sketch.

The only reason I'm calling it a sketch book is because I made pages out of sketch paper. It was all I could find.

I was surprised at how easy this was. Easy to do a beginners not-all-that-exacting version, that is. I imagine that I could make this a whole lot harder. Fabric-covered end boards, better precision in poking holes in the signatures, and so on.

*(*(*(*)*)*)*

a row of trees

a curtain of rain

           at the very least--

a dream of a misty mountain side

or lapping sea

these and any stray breeze 

will open this door