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Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms
100+ Bindings Structures and Forms!
In the digital world, books may seem like an endangered species, but bookmaking is more popular than ever.
Thanks to the 100 ideas in this volume, the craft is now available to everyone. In as little as an afternoon, beginners will be on their way to folding, gluing, and sewing handmade books in a variety of shapes and styles, from rolled scrolls to Jacobs ladders, folded flexagons to case bindings. Complete with photographs of the authors own master books and statements by more than 40 established book artists, this collection is sure to inspire. Culled from the authors best-selling books Creating Handmade Books , Unique Handmade Books , and Expressive Handmade Books , these projects will fuel bookbinding adventures for years to come.
In the digital world, books may seem like an endangered species, but bookmaking is more popular than ever.
Thanks to the 100 ideas in this volume, the craft is now available to everyone. In as little as an afternoon, beginners will be on their way to folding, gluing, and sewing handmade books in a variety of shapes and styles, from rolled scrolls to Jacobs ladders, folded flexagons to case bindings. Complete with photographs of the authors own master books and statements by more than 40 established book artists, this collection is sure to inspire. Culled from the authors best-selling books Creating Handmade Books , Unique Handmade Books , and Expressive Handmade Books , these projects will fuel bookbinding adventures for years to come.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
25 people are currently reading
1031 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 13, 2016
If you're looking for a thorough, informative and artistic book on bookmaking, here it is. Beautiful book too. Lots of project ideas and excellent how to steps.
January 15, 2018
So far, this is the best book I've read on instructional bookbinding. The diagrams are clear and easy to follow, good explanations of basic concepts like paper grain, and a logical progression of projects from novice to advanced. My daughter and I were able to follow the instructions and diagrams on several of the easier projects to completion.
I checked this book out from the library, but this might be the one that I add to my reference library.
I checked this book out from the library, but this might be the one that I add to my reference library.
June 26, 2019
[I usually post the exact same reviews here, on my blog, and on Tumblr. Because of the way I wrote this one and all the example pictures of my books made from this book, it's easier to just send you to my blog for the full review.]
April 28, 2020
This is a wonderful book! I love it so much that I read it completely through, cover-to-cover twice, devouring how to do some of the new techniques I saw!! Wow! Golden is an excellent conversationalist. How do I know this? No, I haven't met her face-to-face, but.........
she has a gifted way of writing like she's talking to you alone. Engaging you. I can barely hear her voice speak, but it's right there!
She speaks of that which she knows. And she makes every move and nuance needed to make each lovely binding. She gives implicit instructions. Before her my best instructions have been some very destructive looking bindings! After her, I've learned to slow down a lot, take my time with them, and you know what? I've pretty much mastered the one I most wanted to make right. It's a basic binding, and it looks pretty good! I've gone on and made 4 book bindings, and they all look really nice! I'm so happy with how they've turned out. Thanks to Alisa Golden's instructions!.
Great for those who are self taught and wanting to try something new, or just review something old! I'm rearing to go now!
You can purchase the book on Amazon. It currently sells on Prime for $18.86, and well worth every penny!
she has a gifted way of writing like she's talking to you alone. Engaging you. I can barely hear her voice speak, but it's right there!
She speaks of that which she knows. And she makes every move and nuance needed to make each lovely binding. She gives implicit instructions. Before her my best instructions have been some very destructive looking bindings! After her, I've learned to slow down a lot, take my time with them, and you know what? I've pretty much mastered the one I most wanted to make right. It's a basic binding, and it looks pretty good! I've gone on and made 4 book bindings, and they all look really nice! I'm so happy with how they've turned out. Thanks to Alisa Golden's instructions!.
Great for those who are self taught and wanting to try something new, or just review something old! I'm rearing to go now!
You can purchase the book on Amazon. It currently sells on Prime for $18.86, and well worth every penny!
January 23, 2021
This is a really nice book, depending on your goals in regards to making books. I'm a zine maker, primarily, and I found the first 40 pages or so most useful -- ideas about paper grain, one-page folded books, etc. The topics then range into various forms of binding, sewing, etc. that were more than I really wanted to get into. Ultimately I think the book was worth it for me, but I basically paid the cover price for 30-40 pages of information. That's on me. More of the book may appeal to you. For what it's worth, I did find at least one error in the diagrams, but by in large they were clear and easy to follow. (And even the minor mistakes were easy to spot and get past.)
November 25, 2017
I am so glad I picked this book up by chance from the library! This book is jam-packed with info, presented clearly and with just the right amount of detail so that you can follow the steps. At the same time, it gives examples of numerous artists' completed books which push the boundaries of what you might think of as a book. It opened many doors in my creative mind and I feel like I could refer back to this book infinitely and constantly get something new from it.
December 27, 2017
I had to buy this book for my Artists' Books class in college and have no regrets when buying this book (as I did with other books I had to buy). It was worth whatever I spent on it because it's so informative, inspirational with awesome photos and good directions on how to make bindings and different types of books. I love this book and would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to make any type of handmade book or journal. It's an awesome book :D
January 22, 2020
Seems like it has lots of good information. I will probably buy it at some point to try out the bookbinding techniques in more detail and I will adjust the star level then for ease of direction or lack thereof at that point.
September 9, 2020
There are a lot of really good ideas in this book. Multiple ways to bind a book, as well as cover the book and adding special touches. Definitely worth purchasing is you are interested in book binding and journal making.
October 7, 2020
The only bookbinding book you will ever need; well certainly the only one I will ever need. I’m still working on basic bindings, all of which I learnt easily from this book.
It’s one of those bunny Warren things is bookbinding, leave yourself a breadcrumb trail on the way in.
It’s one of those bunny Warren things is bookbinding, leave yourself a breadcrumb trail on the way in.
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July 20, 2021Some amazing ideas, but not enthralled with the instructions. More diagrams or photos would be really helpful. I think this is probably better for people who learn by reading than visual learners, which I find is common with Lark publications.
November 6, 2019
Creative ideas and the wherewithal to try them out. A good buy.
June 3, 2020
Excellent book for the novice or more advanced user. There are many different book formats that the author walks you through doing step by step.
July 23, 2020
Step by step guide to over 100 basic bookmaking and binding techniques. Easy to understand instructions and diagrams. Obtainable list of supplies. A good reference book.
July 29, 2020
Good books for different kinds of hand book binding.. has some recipe for homemade glues, simple to read and understand..
April 9, 2024
I skimmed this book for the parts relevant to the book binding process as I want to try binding a fanfic.
February 26, 2017
So many tutorials and great ideas! Visually appealing examples with easy to follow directions.
August 28, 2011
For those disappointed at the lack of bookmaking instructions in Golden's "Painted Paper: Techniques & Projects for Handmade Books & Cards (Paperback)", this is the book for you.
Making Handmade Books is choke full of ideas for bookbinding, book forms and materials to use to create your very own unique books. I love the unusual ideas like a book in the shape of a tea bag and 3D books like a theaterbox. There is a lot here to fire up your imagination and creativity.
The book is well-organized into chapters on different book structures, binding methods, techniques for making covers etc. There is also an introductory section explaining the materials and methods needed to make a book. The instructions are pretty easy to follow and some are accompanied by diagrams. But if you're new to bookmaking and prefer illustrated step-by-step instructions, you may want to check out the book first before buying it.
Those familiar with Golden's works should take note that this is actually a compiled version of 2 previous books by the author: "Creating Handmade Books" and "Unique Handmade Books", with added comments from other bookmaking artists on their creative processes. If you don't already have those 2 books, though, this is a great buy.
Making Handmade Books is choke full of ideas for bookbinding, book forms and materials to use to create your very own unique books. I love the unusual ideas like a book in the shape of a tea bag and 3D books like a theaterbox. There is a lot here to fire up your imagination and creativity.
The book is well-organized into chapters on different book structures, binding methods, techniques for making covers etc. There is also an introductory section explaining the materials and methods needed to make a book. The instructions are pretty easy to follow and some are accompanied by diagrams. But if you're new to bookmaking and prefer illustrated step-by-step instructions, you may want to check out the book first before buying it.
Those familiar with Golden's works should take note that this is actually a compiled version of 2 previous books by the author: "Creating Handmade Books" and "Unique Handmade Books", with added comments from other bookmaking artists on their creative processes. If you don't already have those 2 books, though, this is a great buy.
June 7, 2015
As a nearly lifelong journal-er I have always appreciated papers and handmade books for both written and art journaling, but I can't say that I was ever tempted to make a book myself - before I saw this book that is! There are a lot books that claim to be 'complete' or 'compendiums' of techniques. To my way of thinking there are few books that actually live up to those merits. "Making Handmade Books" is one of those few titles that does not claim to be complete, replete or a compendium but succeeds in being all of that and more. No kidding! If you have ever been tempted ( or are even like me and didn't think that you were interested) to learn what making a handmade book would entail - this is the book to read. Ms. Golden once again manages to fill the pages of this book with so much, very complete, information that if you could only have one book about making books - this would be the one to choose. Once again the contents as written by Ms. Golden on her website tell the story of how much is included in this book far better than I could write.
July 26, 2012
If you had to choose one book that would give you the basics for learning the art of making handmade books, this is hands-down the best!
My first run-through left me with an overwhelming desire to drop every other responsibility in my life, camp out in my studio, and just play, play,play with these wonderful constructions!
In the digital world, books may seem like an endangered species, but bookmaking is more popular than ever. Thanks to the 100 ideas in this volume, the craft is now available to everyone. In as little as an afternoon, beginners will be on their way to folding, gluing, and sewing handmade books in a variety of shapes and styles, from rolled scrolls to Jacob's ladders, folded flexagons to case bindings. Complete with photographs of the author's own master books and statements by more than 40 established book artists, this collection is sure to inspire. Culled from the author's best-selling books Creating Handmade Books, Unique Handmade Books, and Expressive Handmade Books, these projects will fuel bookbinding adventures for years to come.
My first run-through left me with an overwhelming desire to drop every other responsibility in my life, camp out in my studio, and just play, play,play with these wonderful constructions!
In the digital world, books may seem like an endangered species, but bookmaking is more popular than ever. Thanks to the 100 ideas in this volume, the craft is now available to everyone. In as little as an afternoon, beginners will be on their way to folding, gluing, and sewing handmade books in a variety of shapes and styles, from rolled scrolls to Jacob's ladders, folded flexagons to case bindings. Complete with photographs of the author's own master books and statements by more than 40 established book artists, this collection is sure to inspire. Culled from the author's best-selling books Creating Handmade Books, Unique Handmade Books, and Expressive Handmade Books, these projects will fuel bookbinding adventures for years to come.
February 3, 2017
The book is pretty comprehensive and useful if you are able to follow written technical instruction.
Most of the 100+ bindings, structures and forms are "variations," many of which are trivial alterations on a general binding technique. This can make appreciating the distinct binding styles more difficult because they are surrounded by so much noise. Other books with fewer "bindings" can be easier to consume because they don't have this clutter.
There are some oddball passages in there, like these suggested uses for one binding variation: "sketchbook; address book; notebook; book about being vulnerable."
Most of the 100+ bindings, structures and forms are "variations," many of which are trivial alterations on a general binding technique. This can make appreciating the distinct binding styles more difficult because they are surrounded by so much noise. Other books with fewer "bindings" can be easier to consume because they don't have this clutter.
There are some oddball passages in there, like these suggested uses for one binding variation: "sketchbook; address book; notebook; book about being vulnerable."
February 27, 2014
This is one of the better guides to bookbinding I found. It has both more interesting and practical bindings than another book I have on the subject. However, it is still a bit hard to follow the instructions. I think one would have to learn binding by watching videos or by taking a class first and then trying some of the different book structures and bindings described. Learning from the book directly is rather difficult as a starting place.
February 5, 2017
This book is unlike many other diy books on book making I've found. I love the range of styles and the multitude of binding techniques; not to mention the two entire chapters on codex bindings! The examples are all fantastic, and come from established book artists. This is really the best intro to book art bindings that I've come across. I originally found this title at the art library I work at and had to buy it for myself because it's that good!
December 26, 2012
This is such a great book about bookmaking, if you get it you won't need any other. I've used the instructions to make mini books & art journals so far and can't imagine using another. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. There are lots of things for newbies (like me) and ones that look more complicated but I can see that I'll be able to work up to them. Great addition to my art shelf.
April 12, 2013
A useful-enough resource, but I think there are better. The bookbinding instructions sometimes get weighed down with the seriousness of the "BOOK ARTS ---- WE ARE BOOK ARTISTS" discourse. And the instructions themselves are not as easy to follow as other books on the topic. But a good one to learn about many different types of books, including lots of small folded book structures.
October 21, 2011
LOVE this book! So many ideas to use for current bookbinding projects (in class) and personal projects (for example, poetry chapbooks and cool handmade things for friends & family). Who needs to pay for journals or cards when you can make your own? :)
July 22, 2016
I picked this up figuring there'd be something I could use in the mini-comics world. When I brought this to a local art studio it was decided that it would be cheaper to buy than to photocopy most of the pages.
February 18, 2013
This is my very favorite book on making books. I use it all the time! Great easy to follow instructions with good illustrations on how to do each book. And there are LOTs of books to make in here. Someday I'll manage to make all of them.
Alisa Golden is awesome!
Alisa Golden is awesome!
April 13, 2011
this book is amazing. I want to buy it, mucho-muchly.
UPDATE: I have bought it.
UPDATE: I have bought it.
January 30, 2011
Got this book for Christmas and it one best I have seen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews