I just picked up about a dozen great old (1880-1910) books with lovely romantic cover illustrations. They were super cheap because the bindings are damaged -- the pages are about to separate (or have started to already) from the bindings. I'd like to replace the interiors with well-bound pages, not too many, because I want to use them to make wedding books: altered scrapbooks, guest books, vow books, or for romantic gifts. I'm not a bookbinder so anything along that line would have to be simple.
Another related problem: for wedding guest books, I'd like the books to remain flat when open but spiral bindings are so cheesy looking.
Weird question, but maybe someone out there has a few hints........
thanks!
Another related problem: for wedding guest books, I'd like the books to remain flat when open but spiral bindings are so cheesy looking.
Weird question, but maybe someone out there has a few hints........
thanks!
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Los Angeles
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Thu, June 29, 2006 - 11:18 AM(thinking out loud)
Well if you drilled or punched holes in a stack of paper and put on what, dtring? leather thong? metal strip? wire? and attached that to the book cover... -
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Thu, June 29, 2006 - 11:41 AMI've never tried that -- don't have a drill, but I've got a punch - and used some attractive yet sturdy fiber, that could work. Thanks.
Any other ideas out there? -
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Unsu...
Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Thu, June 29, 2006 - 8:46 PM -
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Sun, September 17, 2006 - 10:08 PM
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Wed, July 5, 2006 - 1:19 PMHonestly, take a class, even if you have to drive a bit. Kelly Kilmer teaches excellent classes, sometimes at Violets, which is up in Ventura, and talk to her. She has seraval techniques that would allow you to preserve the covers to best effect. They sound really cool.
Let me know and I will try and find her contact info for you. She's super nice and an awesome artist/teacher. She packs so much into her classes it makes your head spin. I've driven several hours to locations to take her classes.
Good luck! -
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Sun, July 9, 2006 - 12:45 AMThanks everybody, great ideas. I suppose it wouldn't KILL me to learn some bookbinding -- after all, it's an opportunity to buy MORE STUFF... :-)
Thanks Ziza, I live in ventura and I have taken several classes at Violet's and I always learn a lot. I will look for Kelly Kilmer on their newsletter and also for Coptic binding classes -- sometimes they have a bookbinding class.
Thanks again! -
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Wed, August 2, 2006 - 1:26 PMCoptic binding is the way to go! I found some info online, got a bookbinding guide, and what one forgets to say, one of the others fills in. It's hard to explain, but easy, once you get the concept. I've finished one experiment and glad I didn't start right in on the good covers. There is a learning curve. Now I want to grow past regular binding thread and use more interesting fiber that is sufficiently attractive, thin and strong. I feel another experiment coming on! I'm also looking for good-looking grommets -- eyelets aren't long enough and most grommets are industrial-looking. I can always use a "Stayz-on" ink for metal, but it would be nice to see some detail, different forms. Thanks again for all your help. -
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Wed, August 2, 2006 - 1:29 PMP.S. I even broke down and ordered a Japanese punch -- pricey -- but while waiting for it to arrive, I experimented with the ex's Dremel tool on the experiment's covers -- he hasn't missed it yet and who am I to remind him to pick it up? -- and it works quite well. I'll be interested to try a side-by-side comparison. -
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Wed, August 2, 2006 - 8:11 PMa lot of crafty vixens swear by their dremel tools for all kinds of craftiness
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Re: Help with books with damaged bindings - only want covers
Fri, November 10, 2006 - 6:26 PMI made an amazing wedding guest book that opened flat if you are still interested in how I did it.
