Unwind with calming bookbinding ✦ Upcycling classic novels into sketchbooks

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I was recently learning about book design, and was browsing ebay to see if there were hardcovers in good condition that I could upcycle into blank books. This collection of Reader's Digest books were barely used and in excellent condition. It turned out to be a fun and challenging project, using the skills I learned from the American Academy of Bookbinding.

You can shop my t-shirt and other bookbinding merch here 📚 https://bittermelonbindery-shop.fourt...

0:00 Unboxing
0:29 Removing text block
0:55 Preparing cover
2:04 Preparing signatures
2:58 Installing hooked endsheets
4:44 Punching holes
6:08 Tipping on tissue guards
6:34 Sewing book block
10:40 Aligning the first and last signatures
11:40 Trimming fore edge
12:16 Gluing the spine
13:23 Rounding the spine
14:07 Backing the spine
15:53 Trimming the top edge
16:23 Lining the spine
18:09 Adhering linen tapes
19:55 Making endband cores
20:15 Colouring top edge
20:51 Sewing endbands
25:12 Making the spine bonnet
25:50 Filling the spine
26:39 Attaching the bonnet
27:42 Gluing bonnet to cover
29:11 Lining the inner covers
30:45 Adhering the covers
32:16 Pressing
33:05 Pasting illustration
33:52 Final flip-through

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⟡ My book Handmade Books at Home is out now ⟡
https://www.bittermelonbindery.com/ha...

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Filming Equipment
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro with Canon 24-105mm F/4 lens

Editing Software
DaVinci Resolve Studio https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...

FAQ
✦ What tools and materials do you use?    • Bookbinding Tools & Materials - begin...  
✦ Where can I buy bookbinding supplies? your local art supply store, Blick Art Materials (US), TALAS (US), Hollander's (US), DeSerres (CA), Etsy
✦ What adhesive are you using? Archival quality PVA glue, there are multiple brands
✦ How do you make your book cloth?    • How I make bookcloth from any fabric  
✦ Where do you get dot grid writing paper?    • How I source dotted writing paper for...  
✦ Where did you get your guillotine cutter? https://amzn.to/49O6VmY
✦ What brand is your...
thread - Crawford Irish Waxed Linen Thread
corner rounder - Akiles Diamond-1
✦ What is that laser cutter? https://www.xtool.com/?ref=IJ2xikCBlQ...
✦ Where is your music from? I use Epidemic Sound, sign up for a 30-day free trial here: https://share.epidemicsound.com/asrshm
✦ What is your dog's name? Lucy 🐕

Produced on the unceded territories of the Tongva people. Learn more: https://native-land.ca/