Bookbinding with cloth

I will comply with your request and give you an insight into how I make my notebooks with fabrics.

First of all, I would like to answer the question that may be asked, why fabrics from Manchester? Switzerland also has wonderful fabrics. That's correct!

It has emotional value for me. My daughter, lives in Manchester and it was there that she showed me to a fabric shop where I found these wonderful designs from Studio G and Clarke & Clarke . These fabrics were all designed in the UK and have a very pleasant feel. So it happened that I took a few different fabrics with me.

I wanted to try out whether these were suitable for my ideas. I was amazed at how easy it was to work with.

So, now you are interested in how I bind my notebooks.

First of all, I choose my book block, measure it and add 5mm for the cardboard. I use 2mm greyboard.

The elements are cut out of the gray cardboard, for this we need three parts. The front and back, as well as the spine of the book. Then I choose the fabric that fits the size of my book block.

Then I lay out the fabric, the cardboard elements on top with about 5mm lateral distance to the back part (spine), depending on the thickness of the fabric. I add about 2 cm for the glue envelope. Then I separate my stuff.

When everything is cut, I prepare my gluing work station. That means clearing away everything that shouldn't be smeared with glue.

It starts with my special bookbinding brush and bookbinding glue. If you don't have any bookbinding glue at hand, you can also use decoupage glue, which you can get in any craft store.

Is the fabric ready so that the cardboard with the layer of glue can be placed on the right side? Yes!

Then carefully coat the cardboard with a good layer of glue, paying particular attention to the edges so that nothing comes loose after drying.

Immediately place the box carefully on the fabric, repeat these steps until all three pieces of box are on the fabric. Important, I make sure I stay straight. Here I use my angle ruler to help.

When the first step is done, part 2 comes, pull the fabric to the inside and glue it. Here, too, I brush the edge of the cardboard about 2 cm a little more, so that the whole fabric really sticks.

So that the fabric can also be pulled nicely over the edge, I have a piece of wood that is straight and feels good in the hand. I need the bone folder to push in the corners cleanly so that there are no unsightly frayed corners.

Once everything is glued, I use parchment paper. One piece each for the front and back. I can then remove this after drying without leaving any residue, paper would stick and cause unsightly spots.

So that the cardboard dries nice and straight, I lay everything flat on my worktop with a wooden board on top and a stack of old, thick books.

While the cardboard dries, I glue the bookmark and headbands to the book block so both are dry when I move on.

and now? Drink tea and let it dry for a long time.

When everything has dried well, the most delicate part comes from my point of view, connecting the book block to the cardboard.

I only apply glue to a narrow strip, place the book block carefully on it and make sure that the distances to the outer edges are even.

Then apply glue to the back and fold it over with a swing, making sure that the box is not crooked on the book block.

Now it's time for the final sprint.

First I cut away the end paper with the cutter, then glue my insert sheet, which I have already measured and cut to size, into the front book cover and back book cover.

For the rubber band I need two holes on the back, measure them, punch the holes and clamp the eyelets.

Now it's time for the final sprint.

First I cut away the end paper with the cutter, then glue my insert sheet, which I have already measured and cut to size, into the front book cover and back book cover.

For the rubber band I need two holes on the back, measure them, punch the holes and clamp the eyelets,