Never say Never- Handmade Book

At the Felter's Fling last month, I took a class with Chad Alice Hagan on resist dyeing and book binding.  To be perfectly honest, it wasn't my first pick but it looked interesting and I thought that Chad seemed like a cool teacher.  I enjoyed the dyeing day, but wasn't that excited as we started the bookbinding part.

Our cat Sushi checking out the book

Boy, was I in for a surprise!  My excitement grew as Chad would say in her sing-songy voice, "Oh, I just LOVE this part!!!! (I think she said that at every part).  She told us some of the history of binding books, and explained how each step (and there were MANY) had a specific purpose.  I'd always liked the idea of  felt covering books (and I've made some covers in the past), but I never could figure out how to finish the book professionally.

The two little books we made (you can check them out here) took us nearly two full days (not including fulling, dyeing and embroidering the felt), and I thought there's no way I'll make another one of these.  Well, the idea grew on me as I came home and kept admiring my tiny books with great fondness.  I decided to tackle another, and have plans for more (it didn't take nearly as long as my first one).

The tools are simple (an awl for punching holes, straight edges for measuring, waxed linen thread, needle, PVA glue, special paper), and I was able to find most either at Michael's or ordered from Hollander's.

The best part was the thrifted leather coat that I found at Goodwill.  Chad thrifts all of her leather (it's really expensive to buy), and I couldn't believe the huge quantity of leather I scored for just $5!

I definitely have plans to make more of these books, and will have this and hopefully another 1-2 for sale at this weekend's Midway Fall Festival.  Book binding.... hmmm, is there anything I won't try?

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