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Much of a muchness
Things that make you go 'hmm'…
Shine a little light
Posted by on September 20, 2007
No new handmade books to show you today. I started to experiment with one yesterday and it all went horribly wrong! I had a thought of using fabric to cover the books instead of paper. I had seen some deckchair fabric which was very jolly and so I used it in the same way I used paper. Unfortunately, the fabric is more porous than the paper and the PVA glue soaked through to the other side. I hoped if I left it overnight it might dry out, but on inspection it has left dark patches which look a mess. So back to the drawing board. Shame as if it had worked it would have made a very jolly book as you can see from the photo below.
I don’t know why I tried to switch from using paper to fabric. I have so many lovely papers to use, I really don’t need to be diversifying! I shall stick to the tried and tested, I think.
Instead, I am going to show a very amazing pop-up book! It is going on sale in a few weeks at Charles and Marie an online store which scours the world to find the newest, most stylish products. This made me laugh, I must admit. It costs $95 or €85 and I don’t think I’m going to be making these any time soon!
Much of a muchness 
Diane, you need to back the fabric with paper before using it. I have a very well working method from the book “Japanese Bookbinding”. Please email me if you like to know more about it!
BTW: lately, I kept in mind what you said about … if all else fails, go read the instructions. Thus, I tried a new book (CSB) and used only regular printer paper for the pages. Actually, the book turned out quite nicely and now I’m frustrated because of the cheap paper inside … so don’t be angry ;-)
Astrid
that’s a shame about the fabric….it looks so nautical too…..
those books are very different…..the bottom one is very elaborate…..I really wonder what type of person would buy these Diane :D
Thank you for that, Astrid!
Of course, it makes perfect sense! I should have thought of that. I will see if I can find instructions for doing it, if I can’t find any I will email you! I think I remember seeing a video on YouTube showing how to put a paper backing on silk, now you mention it – no commentary just a man doing it. Made it look terribly easy…
I am going to try to rescue this book thanks to Astrid’s suggestion! I hate wasting things!
As for the lamp books – someone with more money than sense, I expect! I can’t think they will throw out much light as I suspect they must be run from a battery – I can’t see any wiring. Plus if it’s made out of paper it will be quite fragile I should think. I’d like to see one all the same!
Diane – That would’ve been nice. Oh, well, we always learn from our mistakes, or at least that’s what I hope I do.
Also, thanks for pointing me to the Pirate image thingy. That was funny! :)
impressive pop-up book!
when i use fabric, i use a product here called wunder-under. it’s a glue adhesive that is used for iron-on’s but it protects the fabric without changing the feel of it. it isn’t perfect – really thin fabrics still have the possiblity of a slight bleed through, but it’s MUCH better than without.
the book turned out wonderfully (btw)
Yes! That’s what I used, it’s called Bondaweb in the UK. Much easier than glue!
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