The Essential Guide to Making Handmade Books: Gabrielle Fox

Demonstrates the creation of keepsake books, journals, and albums using handmade paper, innovative bindings, and found objects.

Maybe it's because the book as physical object seems threatened these days that people are becoming more interested in the art of making books by hand. And it's an art available to almost anyone--for many traditional types of handmade books no special skills are needed, and no materials are required that cannot be found in a good art supply store. Fox, who owns a bookbinding studio, presents 11 projects that even the complete beginner should not find too daunting. The book begins by describing the various tools involved, from bodkins and bone folders to adhesives. Unfortunately, there isn't very much information about the many kinds of machinemade and handmade papers available. The section on tools is followed by a chapter on terminology and techniques. Projects range from a simple folded tunnel book and nonadhesive accordion book to several sewn bindings to a slipcase and a portfolio. For each project Fox includes examples of more complex variations, and she also provides a list of suppliers. This is a fine introduction to a particularly satisfying activity. Mary Ellen Quinn
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