Customer Reviews

Bookcraft: Techniques for Binding, Folding, and Decorating to Create Books and More

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This how-to book starts with an introduction to materials and tools used in book arts. It also points out some basic bookmaking rules on paper grain, cutting and gluing.

The first chapter is heavily focused on binding methods. Thirteen book structures were shown with highly detailed and clear step-by-step instructions from start to finish. Its primary focus is on various on how the signatures/pages and covers can be bound using the simple gluing and/or stitching. It seemed to me that this chapter's basic goal is to create a repertoire of basic bookmaking skills for the novice, and it is my opinion that it did succeed in meeting this goal.

The second chapter covers most basic principles and processes for creating the pages and covers. Various methods were shown in a demonstration type photo-illustrations such as cutting, "surface sculpting" (debossing and embossing), and folding.

Its third and last chapter is a gallery type section that shows how the techniques covered in the previous chapters were used. With the book as an art form in mind, eighteen books created by the author and other bookmakers were presented by using the book structure/pages as a `canvas' or `media' creatively and imaginatively to tell stories or communicate via visual and/or textual means. I found the last three books at the end of the chapter to be very intriguing and fascinating because of the way the "boundaries" were being pushed to the point where they almost ceased to be viewed as "books".

Overall, this book serves as a nice introduction to the world of book arts. The photographs are beautiful, and the instructions are pretty clear. I would most likely use its first chapter to refresh my memory on various book structure designs. No matter how many books on book arts I have bought over the past years, I always find something new to learn. In this book, I have learned a few new things from this book such as hybrid structures and "debossing". But for some of the techniques presented in this book (one example - pop-up), I would look in other books for more detailed information.

This book is very good as a starting book. It covers basic structures as pamphlet or accordion binding. This might not be a book for you if you are an experienced binder or if you already have several books on the subject, covering these structures already. If you want to start binding books, this book is for you; it is very thorough, it has step by step photos and it is very easy to follow. It also explains the basic types of binding and at the end it displays 20 sample books made by experienced binders showing all the bindings explained in the book.

I have been doing bookbinding for several years now and I have several books on the subject. I really liked the book, but I was a little disappointed that it was for beginners.

This book is great for learning the basics for book making and getting you going. the shopping list can be a bit daunting, but the book gives you cheaper alternatives for everything you need to follow its instructions. Good buy!

In this book, author Heather Weston breaks down the art of bookbinding into a simple, straightforward process.

Covering 13 different forms of bookbinding as well as half a dozen kinds of decorative page and cover details, this is one of the most thorough bookbinding resources on the market. With step-by-by step instructions and pictures to match, it also contains examples of books made by professional book binders that used the techniques outlined in the book.

In addition to detailed instructions, Weston also provides a thorough list of necessary bookbinding materials. For readers who don't want to invest the money in professional grade bookbinding materials up front, Weston offers ideas for less expensive options that will still achieve the desired result.

This book is the perfect starting place for those who would like to pursue bookbinding professionally, or as a hobby. Weston makes beautiful bound books an achievable goal for crafters of any level.

Yes, this is a great book to start out, lots of wonderful ideas to get the gray matter going....and to inspire. Fun projects to start out with and to build your confidence. I use it over and over, this one is definitely for your library.

The book is great, with detailed explanations on each kind of binding, from the classical techniques to very inovative ones. It is also good because it uses tools and techniques that can be made at home, without expensive or pro materials.

I have studied bookbinding for a year now, so when I saw this book and the content inside, I thought this was a cool adition for me.
I think this is a good book, for beginners, or fot those whose aproach to bookbinding is about creativity, I was looking for new structures in making books, and though this book has some nice ideas, I think it wasn't what I expected.

Yet you can lear some really nice things here.

I haven't gotten the chance to actually do any of the projects in this book yet, but I did flip through it yesterday when I received it. I was pleasantly surprised at how informative it was, particularly when listing what sort of tools should be used and when showing step-by-step procedures for bookbinding. However, I did feel that the book glossed over some more traditional/antiquarian methods and focused more on the "modern" or "artistic" styles. I have no interest in the accordian-binding process or any of the other artistic ones (like the carousel), and I was actually looking for information regarding leather binding procedures for an old, leather tome project I'd like to start. Regardless, this is really great for a variety of projects and I will definitely be using it for practice before I embark on my final endeavour, as well as for reference purposes. If you are thinking of getting into bookbinding, I really do recommend this book.

Nice book. Starts with an introduction to the equipment you need.

Covers the basics with very beautiful photographs. Plus some more advanced techniques.

The price is right.

Measurements are given both in metric system and in inches, which is a big plus for me.

If you want to learn about bookbinding but don't know where to start, this is a very good source you would want to have in your library.

Simple to read, full of pictures that lead you through the process. Each chapter builds on the previous. I can't say enough. Let this be your first choice. Good job!