Creating Handmade Books

by Alisa Golden

Everyone has a story to tell--so make your own book to tell it with! From the scissors that snip the pages to the glues and stitches and ties that bind them; from elaborate compound structures with pockets to multiple signatures in a thick, sewn volume, here are the techniques you need and the styles you want. Cut and fold pages in a simple accordion, or hide a second book inside. Create pop-ups, fan, and slot-and-tab books. Construct handscrolls and hanging ones, soft- and hardcovers, even portfolios and boxes. Hundreds of illustrations and diagrams will guide you, and dozens of striking pictures will seize your imagination! The author lives in Berkeley, CA. 128 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10. NEW IN PAPERBACK

Genres: Art, Reference, Nonfiction, Crafts, Books About Books

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1998

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this is an instructional book, there is really no "end" date. Great book on creating books of your own. I've been making books for the past two years and this is one of the most helpful I've found.

[Tammy V · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part of my problem with this book is my own inability to follow step by step instructions (or reluctance to or dislike of). I tend to look at the pictures and follow them. Both this and Unique Handmade Books (also Golden) have step by step instructions that do not necessarily make sense to me or sync well with the (small) illustrations of the steps. Sometimes it seems as if there is a step with no illustration and vice versa. The photos of examples are so small as to be worthless.

I did manage to make a book from the instructions in Unique Handmade Books which is the better of the two imo, but I had to take it apart and put it back together again - the instructions weren't clear. In making it, I began to see where is should go.

I like "The art of the Fold" aby Hedi Kyle and Ulla Warchol much better simply because the illustrations are larger and not jammed into a page margin.

[HopeF · Rating 2 out of 5]

The directions for many of the projects read as though they were taken from a recording of a workshop, but without due compensation for the lack of full demonstration. The author also seemed to prioritize fun, one-off project ideas over basics. This book would be a decent addition to the library of someone who already knows the basics of bookbinding.

[Cassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the craft of book-making. It includes a wide variety of book styles and how to make and bind them using traditional and contemporary techniques. The images were interesting and the step by step guides were helpful. Included are projects of a variety of difficulty levels, so it's nice if you are just a beginner or someone who already knows something. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn something new, renew a dwindling art, or just to have fun making his/her own books.

[Artnoose McMoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not necessarily a replacement for learning to make books from another real-life human being, this book is a great reference when you can't exactly remember the order of operations for that book structure you learned a while back. I use it as a reference book quite often.

[Emily Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creating Handmade Books has been an extremely useful resource in getting started with handmade books. I've made quite a few based on the forms described in this book, and look forward to trying the rest.

[N.L. Riviezzo · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the projects were interesting, it felt like steps were left out or, at least, important details. I also did not care for the author's writing style is was very dry, monotone, and rather narcissistic. She seemed not to enjoy bookmaking given her approach to the projects.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I *love* book making. Freakishly adore. Cannot get enough of. Seriously.

[Tarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a "I wish I had tons more time and resources to just sit around and make home-made books all day" book. So great.

[Jena · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love paper, and making things with it, you should at least read this...but you won't help but want to make something by the time you're finished!

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book Arts was so much better.