Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Caterpillar Binding

After seeing some photos of some stunning hand made books
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tussenpozen/sets/448514/
I tracked down a book that describes how to do caterpillar binding on handmade books (and many other bindings too). I have finally completed my first attempt at this binding - on my 2008 diary - and though I have made a few mistakes, I have learned a lot, and as well, have a beautiful diary to use next year.

I'm looking forward to having a lot more fun with this binding.

6 comments:

  1. That is a very beautiful piece of work. Do you make your own pages as well as covers? (I'm presuming that you've made that cover, unless you've won Lotto and hven't told me and you're able to afford to buy something like that?). You are certainly a very talented lady. I wish I could create more than a cake or two and a few children, and certainly wish my poetic muse stretched beyond "There was an old lady from Nantucket....."

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  2. Mostly I just use photocopy paper. For this book, it is photocopy paper too, but I actually print out a whole year of diary with the months / weeks / days set out the way I like it to be. I had a bought diary I really liked to use but after a few years they stopped printing refills, so I started making my own. And yes, I made the cover too.

    As for you creating - you do create more than cakes and children (and you'd be proud of that if you'd tried a few of my cakes!!) - you create joy for many people.

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  3. At our local Book Binding guild (in Toronto), there was a course offered in "caterpillar binding." I had never heard of it before...and after looking at your book, I think I'm going to take it! What beautiful work!

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  4. Your book is gorgeous! I came across your blog when I did a web search on caterpillar binding. I've been trying to find a source for the instructions myself. May I ask the name of the book where you found the instructions? Thanks!

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  5. Hi Deb, Sorry it has taken so long for me to answer - I look at the computer but can't be bothered going outside in the dark to my craft room to get the book! But now I have finally made it. The book is called "Exposed Spine Sewings: Non-Adhesive Binding Volume III" by Keith A Smith and I'm pretty sure I got it from Amazon after trying unsuccessfully to get an answer from Keith's website which is www.keithsmithbooks.com It's an intimidating book, looks like a complicated knitting pattern, but if you follow the instructions - THEY WORK! Good luck.

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  6. I too have just bout Keith Smiths book, and if i can get my firt attempt anywhere as near as good as yours, i'll be ecstatic. Regards Simon. http://papercurious.blogspot.com/

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