Sewn Over Tapes Binding Class

This morning I taught a 2 hour workshop for the Sonoma County Book Arts Guild. I taught the sewn over tapes binding (you can see some of the books I've made on my blog posts here, here too, and here as well. The photos above are ones that people in the group made today! Aren't they beautiful? It was a lot of fun teaching people how to make this. I have to admit, as a teacher (both of elementary school and of art/books/anything), nothing is more satisfying than when people are really happy with what they have learned to do or their work that they have made! Everyone really liked their books and everyone's book came out really great.


Above is a photo of some of the books opened up so that you can see the front and back side.

Below is the handout I created with how to do this binding. If you can use it to create your own, that's awesome and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Here is the supply list: for the books, you need 20-25 sheets of paper, 8.5" x 5.5", two sheets of heavy weight cardstock that are 4 and 3/8" by 5 and 5/8", two strips of paper, ribbon, or even cloth that are 3/4" by 6", waxed thread, PVA glue. Tools that are needed include: size 12 needle, awl, bone folder, x-acto knife and cutting mat or scissors (whatever it takes for you to get the paper to the needed size) masking tape, brush and container for glue.)

Click on the picture below to view it at a larger size that you can actually read!
This is the hole punch guide that I made when I designed the books. I lost it before the class and then found it as soon as I returned home and was unloading my things in the studio!

When I make hole punch guides (also called a jig), I like to add little notes and details. For example, the thread, whether it is inside or outside the book signature, and the placement of the "tapes" which are the strips of paper that hold the book together.

I have taken the past few days off from posting every day since the August Art Project challenge. By the end of the month, I get burned out from writing blog posts, which you could probably tell because they had less writing, more pictures. It was not really that hard to create something every day, simply because I am pretty much a full time artist at the moment (although unpaid, so it doesn't feel like a job in anyway.) I finished a painting yesterday and I am considering doing what Samantha Kira did in August (check out her blog, her art is awesome)- challenge oneself to finish two paintings, 8"x10" or larger, each week for a month. I will decide by tomorrow, and either way, I will post the painting tomorrow.