Leather bound journals

These journals are quick and easy to make. They don't require any glue so can be completed in a couple of hours. The only minor difficulty is deciding how to fasten the closure, there are so many options... I chose to use a simple leather tie for two and a button closure for the third.

I love the tactile nature of these journals, the soft leather, and the torn edges of the paper give them a lovely handmade feel and look.

More books

I made a couple more books between classes to practice, using different decorative papers, and to try binding a landscape book.

I found the floral paper a little tricky to work with, but love this paper from La Stamperia (Via Camollia 126), with images of Siena. If you're in Siena, visit Mario at La Stamperia.

Bookbinding: A Beginner's Manual

This is a brilliant guide for someone new to bookbinding, it takes you step by step through various types of binding, the tools required and explaining why we do things this way. It details the strengths and weaknesses of different bindings, and when best to use them.

A shelf full of books

At the end of the course we had an open day with students' work on display.

Here is my shelf of books made during the 12 week course.

St Cuthbert Gospel -Part Two

Once the book was stitched we were ready to decorate the cover. 

Step 1, using string and cord of varying thickness we mapped out the design, and once we were happy, glued them into place.

Step 2, sketch or trace the design onto the board, cut tiny strips of leather and painstakingly adhere them in place. It's a slow process, but worth  the time and effort!

The design is completed. 

Step 3, prepare the leather for the cover. I stained the leather with a burgundy colour, it is not perfect and in places quite patchy, but the overall look works for this book. 

Using starch paste paste the underside of the leather, fold it over on itself and leave for a couple of minutes. The paste needs to soak into the leather a little. 

Re-paste the leather and position on the front cover, remember leather stretches, so it needs to be manipulated and kept tight as you work it. Cover the book, and press for about 10 minutes.

Using a bone folder or agate point, pick out the details of the design, then press again overnight.

The finished book.

This is my favourite of the books it have made so far, it was also the slowest and most difficult.