questions & answers

in response to various questions sent my way, i thought it would be helpful to tell you about the techniques i use to make these books, as well as various and sundry other bits of information.

how do you bind the books?
essentially, i take the pages out of an existing book and then rebuild the insides. first, i cut batches of paper to size. i then fold each of these in half to compose a sheaf of pages, known as a "signature." i then sew each signature together using waxed linen thread. after the thread is tied and cut, the signatures are pressed together and glued into book cloth. once that is dry (usually overnight), the book-cloth–bound pages are inserted into the hardcover boards and glued to the boards and spine. the entire thing then sits overnight until fully dry.

finishing includes affixing pages cut from the book to the front and back endpages and cleaning up the exterior by removing what marks and imperfections can be removed (sometimes many, sometimes none).

it is a long process, but satisfying. it produces a durable, unique journal or sketchbook that you can put on a bookshelf without anyone knowing it's filled with your words or drawings or newspaper clippings or photographs or what-have-you.

what kind of paper do you use?
for most of these books, i use a 24-lb text-weight paper in natural color. some have white copy-weight paper in them. if you want to request a particular kind of paper, i can probably accommodate your request, though it depends on things like the size of the book and how easily i can get my hands on the desired kind of paper.

where do you find your books?
sometimes thrift stores, sometimes yard sales, sometimes piles of free stuff; sometimes people give them to me! if you have old books with cool covers that you have no particular use for, let me know.

can you bind this old book i have?
yes! most probably. i'm happy to turn one of your old books into a blank book.

ok, those were all the questions i could think of for now. if you have others you'd like to ask, let me know. happy to do my best to answer them.