"A beautiful and worthwhile book." — Next Book Please This innovative approach to bookbinding demonstrates an array of creative techniques that elevate handmade books into extraordinary works of art. Easy-to-follow, well-illustrated directions for more than 25 patterns explain how to make seven different kinds of books with pop-up panels and pages that "explode" from the spine as well as slipcases, tassels, and other distinctive features. The guide begins with instructions for a simple accordion-fold book. Successive projects build on methods readers have already mastered and introduce new skills, including the pamphlet stitch, ideal for photo albums and scrapbooks; tacket binding, the versatile stitch of medieval Europe; and the Coptic stitch, employed by Christians of ancient Egypt. A full-color photo gallery, with contributions from more than 60 artists, offers further inspiration for enhancing and personalizing projects by using alphabets, bestiaries, botanical illustrations, and other designs. The author includes a glossary of terms as well as information on materials and tools. "Well-written, imaginative — and just plain fun to read. I learned a lot about ways to make books that I never dreamed of. Ms. Laplantz is a creative genius." — Bassocantor Reviews "This is a gorgeous book filled with beautiful projects." — The Sheepish Reader 'n' Writer This innovative approach to bookbinding demonstrates an array of creative techniques that elevate handmade books into extraordinary works of art. Easy-to-follow, well-illustrated instructions for more than twenty-five patterns explain how to make seven different kinds of books with pop-up panels and pages that "explode" from the spine as well as slipcases, tassels, and other distinctive features. The guide begins with instructions for a simple accordion-fold book. Successive projects build on methods readers have already mastered and introduce new skills, including the pamphlet stitch, ideal for photo albums and scrapbooks; tacket binding, the versatile stitch of medieval Europe; and the Coptic stitch, employed by Christians of ancient Egypt. A full-color photo gallery, with contributions from more than sixty artists, offers further inspiration for enhancing and personalizing projects by using alphabets, bestiaries, botanical illustrations, and other designs. The author includes a glossary of terms as well as information on materials and tools. See every Dover book in print at www.doverpublications.com The work of internationally recognized artist and author Shereen LaPlantz has appeared in countless gallery exhibitions and museums throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Europe, and Africa. Her basketry and artists' books are featured in numerous permanent collections, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The Art & Craft of Handmade Books By Shereen LaPlantz, Tracy Aplin Dover Publications, Inc. Copyright © 2001 Shereen LaPlantz All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-486-80037-0 Contents Introduction, 6, Basics, 8, Vocabulary, 9, Glossary, 10, Materials, 12, Tools, 16, Techniques, 20, Project Section, Concertina, 21, Bestiaries, 30, Formats, 34, Concertina Gallery, 35, Slit Concertina, 37, Imposition, 44, Counting Books, 47, Slit Concertina Gallery, 48, Star Tunnel Book, 49, Abecedaries, 57, Making Tunnel Holes, 61, Faux Postage and Artist's Stamps, 66, Star Tunnel Gallery, 67, Pamphlet and Running Stitch, 68, Making a Hole Jig, 69, Book Parts, 72, Making an Explosion Page, 78, Pamphlet and Running Stitch, 80, Tacket Binding, 81, Commonplace Books, 85, The Dressed Book, 92, Tacket Binding Gallery, 95, Coptic Stitch, 97, Botanical Books, 101, Book Mapping, 109, Coptic Stitch Gallery, 110, Recessed Skewer Binding, 111, Specimen Books, 115, Embossing, 119, Ephemera, Broadsides, and Catchpenny Prints, 122, Recessed Skewer Gallery, 123, Contributing Artists, 125, Acknowledgments, 126, Index, 127, Colophon, 128, CHAPTER 1 Concertina Concertina, or accordion fold books, are extremely versatile structures. This chapter provides instructions on creating a basic concertina and variations of the style. You'll also learn how to add features to the basic concertina to make more complex structures. There must be as many different methods of folding concertinas as there are artists making them. If you find another method that works for you, use it. Basic Concertina Almost any paper can be used to make a concertina. Printmaking, watercolor, and specialty papers usually work well for these structures. Text weight and rice papers tend to be flimsy, so if you use them, your hook will need a protective cover. Book artist Hedi Kyle taught me the folding method shown here. She says it's the only way to get perfect, even folds. I agree. Mountain Folds, Valley Folds, and Lap Joints Mountain Folds and Valley Folds Throughout this chapter, the terms mountain fold and valley fold
