Bookbinding

Process

There are not many steps in learning how to bind books, but there are many different methods. In our lesson, we learned (if I remember correctly) the peaking method. It is called the peaking method because, if done correctly, there should be a bit of paper sticking outside the cover. The materials we used were, paper (duh), thread, beeswax, a bone plate, cardboard (or any soft material), a needle, and a tool to punch through the paper (similar to the needle). The process we learned was as follows: first fold the paper to align each other, going over the crease with the bone plate to make it more crisp. Once you have a solid crease in all of your pages together, punch three holes directly into the crease, spread out evenly to the top, middle, and bottom of the page. Next, wax your thread and send it through the needle head. With this, push through the center hole of the book, then through the back to the top hole down to the inside bottom hole. Finally, with the thread on the outside bottom, go back to the center hole and carefully push through the center hole again, not making it any larger from the first time. With the remaining thread, make a double knot and cut the excess. Even though the process sounds long and meticulous, I found it quite easy once I had the materials in-hand.

Reflection

Relating this to my path of interest, sound, I cannot say I can see a direct connection between the two. Though I enjoyed the process, using this in the future would have to be for a specific project. Nonetheless, I am open to using this studio in the future for whatever project arises, but I do not have a strong interest in pursuing this path in the future.