Making a Sketch Book

I finally got around to making my own sketchbooks, which I have been wanting to attempt for quite awhile now.  The task seemed rather daunting so it took me awhile to work up the resolve to get started! Several weeks ago, I purchased my materials including two sheets of Fabriano Artistico cold press watercolor paper.

I then proceeded to make some initial cuts on my paper without taking into account that paper has a grain and the book fold should be along the grain.  I realized my error and a  fellow sketcher from our sketch group referred me to a great website, Roz Wound Up, that walked me through finding the grain of paper, and provided charts for tearing large sheets of watercolor paper in a way that used it efficiently, and even matching papers across the fold.

Following the chart for tearing paper.

Folding the signatures.

My sketching friend also referred me to some excellent You Tube videos on book binding by Sage Reynolds.  He covers gluing basics; sewing signatures part one and two; tipping on end papers; making headbands and rounding off (though I purchased pre-made headbands); lining the spine, part one and two; making a case part one, and two; and the optional insetting a ribbon tie.

I watched the videos several times, and carefully followed Sage's instructions and viola, actually made my own hardcover books.  I am pretty excited about how well they turned out, though I realize I have much room for improvement in my book binding skills.  I included the links in case you want to attempt one yourself or to see how Sage and Roz approach the task.

Making a case for the book block.

Finished sketchbooks, one opened.

Finished sketchbooks.