Cover To Cover: Creative Techniques For Making Beautiful Books, Journals & Albums (Paperback)

by Shereen LaPlantz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Even a beginner can start right out producing uniquely charming and elegant journals, albums, scrapbooks, and more. Envision handmade books to hold your writings, poems, photos, and keepsakes. More than 170 photos to inspire, and hundreds of illustrations to guide readers through the basics of an almost infinite variety of imaginative styles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; 1st Pbk. Ed edition (June 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0937274879
• ISBN-13: 978-0937274873
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,951 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Describes 7 basic book structures, October 16, 2000

By	R. Haldeman "ruth" (Lemont, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It has 170 photos (mostly in color) and easy to follow instructions. Sources, papers, art centers and newsletters are included. Bookbinding is an old art recently revived. Examples in LaPlantz's book are innovative and inspiring, going past traditional methods and shapes. Everything needed for basic bookbinding is affordable and available. Instructions are easy to follow and offer variations, from simple lacing of signatures, to more complex binding techniques. Handmade books are beautiful as gifts, journals, scrapbooks or collections of writing. Such a personal gift is a unique treasure greatly valued. This book is well suited for a beginning level of skill and also encourages more advanced level binding.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good start for the beginner; inspiration for the skilled, July 30, 2000

By	Cheryl Guerrero (STONE, Staffordshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

Shereen LaPlantz approaches the subject of making books with an artistic awareness. She provides a clear introduction to the parts of a book, materials, tools, and basic techniques. She then provides step-by-step instructions on how to make each type, from the simple pamphlet to the highly unusual bindings. The instructions are easy to follow and are accompanied by clear illustrations.

The most remarkable aspect of this book is its pages filled with beautiful color photographs of books made by the author and several artists. I bought this text because I was interested in making a simple binding for a family history book, but after reading Cover to Cover, I have a new perspective on bookmaking - I now see it as a form of art with a whole range of possibilities. And it's an art which is accessable to all.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just as the title says, November 21, 1999

By	J. L. R. (Riverside, California) - See all my reviews

This book is 100% just as the title says. I highly recommend this book. Even for a newbie to bookmaking like I am. The pictures and galleries are gorgeous. The ideas and projects were fabulous and the instuctions where easy to understand. I think that I read it "Cover to Cover" about 30 times before I put it down, because each time I went through it I discovered something new I hadn't seen the previous time. This book has gotten me very excited to dive right in and start creating!