My Art Journal Project

It's been a long time since I last updated my blog. I have to apologise but so much has been going on. There has been a lot of building going on here, so the builders have been here for nearly a year. Also I now have a suitable internet connection, so I can access the internet regularly. I am determined now to blog all of my makes so I hope you will join in and enjoy.

For a long time I have wanted to make an art journal. I found a fabulous video tutorial on youtube: (How to make a Sketchbook: Coptic Stitch) It's very detailed, clear and easy to follow. I would highly recommend watching it if you want to make your very own. 

I have added a cloth inside cover and Faux leather outside cover both front and back, also added a black cotton binding. Here is the finished Journal. I am very pleased with it. I wanted to use as many recycled materials as possible. For the covers I have used old envelope board. The signatures inside are made from various types of damaged card and paper, which determined the finished size of my journal as the sheets needed to be cut down to remove the damage. When I made up the signatures I found that the finish is much better if you keep the paper types together. You can combine as many different types as you wish as long as each individual signature is made up of the same paper or card. 

Before I made any holes or followed the stitching method on the video, I covered the inside cover with cotton fabric. This was cut about 12 Inch larger on all sides of the cover to allow an overlap and glue to the opposite side. It will be covered at the end by the Faux Leather cover. 

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he paper for the signatures should be about 1/8 Inch smaller than the cover on 3 sides, The Top, bottom and opening edge. This will ensure that the papers fit nicely inside the cover once the book is bound and finished. Once you get to this stage I would follow the video on YouTube for the stitching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2FRKbQI2kY Make sure when stitching that the fabric faces inwards. I know this sounds simple, But I made the mistake and only realised when I got to the last signature.

Now you are ready to add the Faux Leather cover or cover of your choice. I have not included this technique as there are many excellent tutorials on youtube. Before adding the cover decide whether you want the binding to go under or over the cover. I decided to put it over the top for the end result I wanted.

To work out the binding, I measured the spine and added a line at 1.5cm and 3cm either side and obout the same either end of the book. On the outer edge of the 1.5cm segment I added a 1cm strip of heat n bond (you can use glue) and folded the edge. This gives a nice finish to the binding, I also did this for either end of the spine. Make sure to measure against your book to get the perfect fit. Hope you have fun and enjoy your journal, Now you can just have fun filling the pages.