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i have a question.

there are those little zines one can make out of folding a piece of paper (with a little cut). it is like a 8 page booklet
(https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Zine the first part about making)

now... watercolour paper is rather inapt for the folding and cutting parts. especially with 300gsm...

here the question: does anyone know how to "bind" watercolour paper to get a similar result to a zine?

#zine #bookbinding #question

How to Make a Zine (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Zines (pronounced "zeens," shortened from the word "magazines") are small, independent publications that come in the form of mini pamphlets or magazines. Zines are easy and inexpensive to make, meaning that they have long been a...
wikiHow
#zine #bookbinding #question
in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina I think I would:

* cut the sheet in 4 pieces
* put them on top of each other
* carefully fold them in half

(this is basically the procedure for making a signature in a regular book)

then if you have a long arm stapler you can staple all sheets through the fold in 2 places, otherwise you can make an even number of holes on the fold with an awl (or a sewing needle and some care) and sew the pages with a backstitch (the kind used together with crossstitch).

I think it's better if I make some kind of drawing for this last part :D

At the end you may want to carefully trim the front edge so that all sheets are even, rather than having the center ones peak out.
@rina
in reply to Elena ``of Valhalla''

rina
rina
• •
that is like a little booklet? like the ones one can find as program during christmas-time concerts?

the outer paper would have a big big fold... i imagine.
in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina yes (I think so, I've never been to a christmas time concert :) ).

It would also have 16 pages rather than 8, but depending on what you're going to do you may not want to paint on both sides of the sheet anyway. Maybe glueing together the sheet would work.
@rina
in reply to Elena ``of Valhalla''

rina
rina
• •
oh heavy watercolour paper can be used on both sides :D
the surface structure is a bit different but normally i dont see ink or watercolour stains on the other side :>
i think... i need so search for materials and than go shopping... great another new activity.
in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina if you're buying specifically for it, bookbinding thread is nice to use (it's a thick, waxed linen thread).

Or thick linen thread for handsewing, plus a block of wax.

If you can't find either, I'd use buttonhole twist or another strong thread rather than regular sewing thread, but even the latter can be used if the resulting booklet isn't mishandled too much.

As for needles, I use regular handsewing needles, in the biggest sizes I could find (what John James calls Sharps in size 2 or 3). There are also bookbinding needles with a rounded point that you may find nicer to use, but I believe it's a matter of taste and what one is used to.
@rina
in reply to Elena ``of Valhalla''

rina
rina
• •
so far i have: bookbinding thread, a needle, an awl.
(i have a hammer and something to lay under it)

thanks a bunch :D
in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina I may have just been crafter-sniped¹ :D

I can confirm that with 300 g/m² paper scoring it in the middle helps (when I made a sketchbook I used thinner 250 g/m² paper and it was easier to fold).

Also, I'd add a step of putting the folded paper under a weight for an hour or so before sewing it (or at least before trimming it).

¹ as in: https://xkcd.com/356/

Nerd Sniping

xkcd
@rina
in reply to Elena ``of Valhalla''

rina
rina
• •
that's dark... :D

i have wooden boards and computer science/mathematic books here. that could weight it down.

scouring: https://youtu.be/ayktKwkkITY
i should have all the stuff to do that.

but now i am thinking... i should look for a paper cutter...
._.

Craft Hacks: Scoring Paper with no Fancy Tools!

In this video I take a look at some Scoring Craft Hacks that are great for when you are traveling and if you don't have a Score Board! These are super simple...
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in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina I usually cut paper with a plain snap-off blade knife (or rarely with an X-acto), like the ones on https://www.bookbindingworkshopsg.com/bookbinding-tool-the-pen-knife/ (it's the first result I got when looking for how these things are called in English, I mostly watched the pictures :) )

As a #multicraftual person the fact that it is multipurpose is a definite plus :D

The Pen Knife | Bookbinding Tool 101 | Bookbinding Workshop Singapore

The Pen Knife is one of the most versatile tool used by crafters. But how do you choose one for your needs?
Craft Addicts
#multicraftual @rina
in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina I often use my physics books as a press, since they are thick, heavy, with a hardcover, and I really, really hated those two exams :D Other math books may go on top if I need more weight :D

(for smaller things I use a bag of big metal washers that are also my pattern weights for fabric :) )
@rina
in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina yes, a bit dark indeed :D

but most of the people I hang out with tend to use the word in contexts where there isn't a big truck, just some time spent unexpectedly :D

anyway, I'm not making a video, but I'm taking pictures :)
@rina
in reply to Elena ``of Valhalla''

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina and it's done

https://craft-patterns.trueelena.org/bookbinding/zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.html

(by done I mean that it will still spend the night under the weight, but I don't have anything else to do on it and I've published the instructions with pictures :) )

(and of course, then I need to either decide to use it for something, or put it on the empty sketchbook pile O:-) )

Watercolour Paper Zine — Valhalla's craft patterns documentation

craft-patterns.trueelena.org
@rina
in reply to rina

rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua
rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua
• •
For thick paper you need a "creasing machine", which makes a sort of U-shaped "channel" where the paper can fold without hassles.

It can be done by hand with a very straight thick cable and a hammer, but you need the patience (and the availability of time!) of a medieval monk.
in reply to rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@Rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua @rina for small amount scoring it with a blunt needle (using a ruler) also works, even if it's not as precise.

But it also weakens the paper a bit right in the place where the sewing will be, so I tend not to do it unless I really need it.
@rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua @rina
in reply to Elena ``of Valhalla''

rina
rina
• •
ok something like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XCvTZRVbgg

but instead of heaps of multiple it could only be 1 folded 300gsm sheet?

could that be a way?

The Book of Unsaid Things (Bookbinding part 1) - Sewing the Text Block

This is the first part of a bookbinding series. In this video, I demonstrate how I make my text block using kettle stitch binding.Materials I use:- 70 gsm bo...
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in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina @Rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua yes, this is exactly what I was thinking.

(I was thinking to start sewing from the inside, to hide the knot a bit more, but starting from the bottom like in that video and leaving a tiny sort-of-tassel on the outside also looks like a nice finish)
@rag. Gustavino Bevilacqua @rina
in reply to rina

rina
rina
• •
many thanks to all the replies.

by chance i stumbled upon this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpB1egXKaeM

french link stitch... opens flat. i could put one folded paper to the next...

i think i will try that one... when needed materials are here :ablobcatbongo:

French Link Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial

Follow along to learn how to bookbind with a French link stitch method!NEW PRINTS & STICKERSJoin Monthly Mail for printed goodies: https://www.patreon.com/jo...
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in reply to rina

Elena ``of Valhalla''
Elena ``of Valhalla''
• •
@rina and once you have the supplies for this zine, you also have almost all of the supplies needed to make your own sketchbooks :D

not that I'm trying to tempt you into another craft.

(I am :D )

(coptic stitch is another option that opens completely flat)
@rina

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