Hello Creatives! Kirsten Varga here with a brand new column all about BOOKMAKING! I am thrilled to have this opportunity to share bookmaking magic with you throughout the year.
First up is Japanese Stab Binding. A quick internet search will provide mountains of information with a bit of history and lots of tutorials. This is not surprising to me as this book format is beginner friendly and an excellent way to bind single sheets. It's main characteristics are simplicity, elegance and versatility. Take note that this type of book will not lay flat when open.
Japanese stab binding is a traditional bookbinding technique that originated in Japan and dates back to the 6th century. This method came not just from Japan but also China, Korea, and Vietnam. It was primarily used for binding various documents, manuscripts, and records. It evolved into an art form with the addition of decorative elements and intricate stitching patterns.
The traditional materials needed are quite simple, paper and thread, but the sky is the limit with what you can use. Think on the use and visual preference you want for your book and go from there. Covers can be made from cloth, leather or covered book board. Inside pages can be folded at the fore-edge or be single, unfolded sheets. The thread can be replaced with ribbon and the like.
The binding process involves punching evenly spaced holes along the spine edge of the pages or folded sheets. These holes are then sewn through using a single length of thread, creating a series of stitches that secure the pages together. Some popular stitch patterns are Hemp leaf binding, Tortoise shell binding, and Noble binding.
What can you use this type of bound book for? Journals, sketchbooks, guest books and photo albums to name a few. This simple binding is quite durable so it can have both practical and artistic purposes.
The book I created for this post has a hardcover, is filled 80lb. drawing paper and is the basic Japanese version of stab binding, called Yotsume Toji, which roughly translates to “four holes”. I used handmade paper for the covers. Stenciling on the handmade paper was a delight!
I created a tutorial video to show you all the details! Find it on the StencilGirl® YouTube channel HERE.
Happy Creating!
Supplies used:
Handmade papers (I used three colors: natural, green and dark brown)
98 lb. drawing paper (17"x14" pad cut down to size)
Bookboard (for covers)
Cosmetic Sponges (to apply paint when stenciling)
Acrylic Paint (I used Titan Buff, Sap Green and Quinacridone Nikel Azo Gold)
Scissors, Craft knife and cutting mat
Ruler and Pencil
Bone Folder
PVA glue
Waxed Linen thread, needle
Japanese Screw Punch with 1/8" bit
Binder clips
Wax paper
Heavy book
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you are entering a GIVEAWAY, please add your email address in the event we need to contact you.
To avoid SPAM, please write it like this:
marybeth (at) stencilgirltalk (dot com)
Thank You!