[ art by Laina ]

Pamphlet Stitch Tutorial :: What you will need:

Paper
Foldable cardboard
Paper or fabric for cover
Glue
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Thread
Needle

Other supplies that are not shown in the photo:
Damp paper towels, Decorative paper or fabric for inside of book cover
Dry folded paper towels for poking holes on
Sandpaper

Let's get started:
Cut 4-8 sheets of paper so that they are smaller than the cardboard.

Fold paper in half using a bone folder.

Cut off any excess paper to make even.
You can use sandpaper to smooth out edges.

Measure 3 dots on the crease of your folded paper
where you will poke holes for sewing.

Keep the outer dots close but not too close to the edges.

Using a needle, poke 3 holes where you marked in
the crease of your folded paper.

Cut cover so that you have enough to fold over the edges of cardboard.
I'm using a fabric paper on this one so that I can illustrate on the cover later.

Cut corners for less bulk when folding over, but don't cut too close.

Fold cardboard in half and place folded paper with holes inside.
Use needle to poke holes through cardboard.

Place cover over cardboard (unless you are using fabric) and poke holes through it.

Spread glue on back of cardboard and place on
inside of cover making sure the holes are in line.

Glue edges of cover and fold over pressing with a bone folder.

Cut decorative paper (or you can use fabric) to cover inside keeping it smaller than the book cover. Paste to inside and smooth out with bone folder. Lightly wipe away glue with damp paper towels.

Poke needle through the holes.

To sew:
Place folded paper inside of book cover align the holes.

Thread needle and tie only once.
Insert needle in middle hole from outside of book.

Insert needle to top hole on inside of book.

Insert needle into bottom of hole on outside of book.

Insert needle in middle hole on inside of book
and tie off three times in the back.

You're done!

A soft cover pamphlet:
You can use thick paper for the cover and do without the glue!

They are made the same way but without the glue, cardboard and fabric. Just cut a thick sheet of decorative paper a little larger than your folded pages and sew the folded paper directly to the thick paper. I've made three here.

Well there are so many ways to make books.
To me using this method is the simplest way to make a book fast.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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