Handmade Books at Home: A Beginner's Guide to Binding Journals, Sketchbooks, Photo Albums and More

by Chanel Ly

Timeless Stitches & Beautiful Bindings to Craft Your Perfect Book

You don’t need to be an experienced bookbinder to create one-of-a-kind books. Chanel Ly, founder of Bitter Melon Bindery, is here to guide you through 12 practical projects that you can personalize to show off your creative side. All you need are a few basic tools and materials to get started.

Learn to craft a Minimal Journal that is not only sleek and stunning but sturdy enough to withstand everyday use. Looking for a Lay-Flat Sketchbook that feels as unique as your art? Make your own with a gorgeous exposed spine that is unlike anything you’ll buy off the shelves. Create an unforgettable gift for someone you love such as a wraparound Travel Diary bound in sentimental fabric or a custom-made Photo Album to hold treasured memories. And once you’ve mastered these projects, you’ll have the necessary skills to design your very own book or give new life to an old favorite.

Full of helpful tips, solutions to troubleshoot common mistakes and plenty of visual examples, this resource will fulfill all your bookish dreams for years to come!

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Books About Books

192 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2023

Reviews

[Iona Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been teaching myself how to make my own sketchbooks/notebooks. This is a really nice reference. I learn best from videos (I can’t learn how to do a stitch from reading alone) and even though YouTube has many great videos/channels for bookbinding, a written guide is so handy. I was struggling to wrap my head around paper grain and Chanel Ly’s section “techniques to build your skills” really helped with that!

I will say that as a beginner, the book’s projects are somewhat intimidating although certainly beautiful and GOALS. I did my first coptic stitch sketchbook by following a more basic YouTube video alongside this book. Ly’s coptic stitch book was a little complicated for me at this stage. Will definitely try out her version when I can! And you better believe I’ve sticky tabbed all the projects I want to do as I gain binding skill.

[Nicole Wisniewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Kindle app on my phone the pics are in color. On my paperwhite they are of course black and white. So if you read it on a Kindle, but want to see the pics in color you may want to try the app.
I like that Chanel has discussed tools, different kinds of paper, grain, anatomy of books, etc. The book has not only book binding projects, but also information on making your own book press.
Very informative book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some of the instructions really hard to follow. For examples, some pictures don't really show anything useful in terms of process. Also, some instructions have incorrect references, like "in the second step" when they actually mean step 17. I found myself getting really frustrated while making something, and realized it was because the instructions were not clear. The book itself is pretty and I appreciate the types of binding it covers. I just wish it were a better instructive book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book for you if you are wanting to learn bookbinding. Scrapbooks, journals, whatever. So many pretty stitches with a curved sewing needle plus ever heard of a bone folder? Yes, it's made from bovine. Tools needed are listed with instructions on how to use them along with an education about the different papers to use. Fun read.

[Karen Soanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I read this whole book cover to cover and then go get my book binding supply bag to practice the French Link stitch? Yes. Yes I did
Great pictures and clear directions. Excellent explanations about tools and types of papers.

[Kassa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book that Chanel Ly put out ! I got myself the kindle version and found it very easy to use when working on a project or out shopping for materials 💕

[Victoria Stolp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear instructions. NOT a scrappy art journaling adventure, but more of a professional treatment to bookbinding.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent beginners guide, with detailed steps and illustrations.

[JOSE GOMEZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

He book has good explanations and details about the materials, the step by step instructions really help to gain experience that would require trial and error otherwise.

[ツツ]

I'd like a more comprehensive guide on the book's autonomy and the functions of its components. overall inspiring.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical and inspiring projects.