Bookbinding for Beginners: How to Make a Journal

A made this video as a video response to Thepappytube's "Different Competition" in which he challenged his viewers to make videos different from what they usually make. Since my videos have all been remarkably similar in style for the past few months, I thought it would be a fun challenge. That being said, if you have no interest in learning a simple bookbinding technique, I won't be offended if you skip this one (it is over 10 minutes long).

I took a bookbinding class in college which I really enjoyed, but I tended to get a bit frustrated and impatient following some of the complicated techniques. Thus I devised this method of creating a simple, small journal. It's a bit messy and sloppy but it works, and I think that you guys will likely already have all of these supplies in your home.

Also, this is just a rough guide to creating a journal. If you're interested in bookbinding, be sure to experiment with different ways of doing things. Try punching three or four holes instead of two, or gluing the spine of the book right to the cover. Be creative. It's fun.

I'd be happy to clarify anything from this video or answer questions, just leave them below.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• bookbinding
• book
• binding
• beginners
• books
• tutorial
• tips
• journal
• index
• cards
• cereal
• box
• awl
• dental
• floss
• tricks
• how
• to
• recycled
• materials
• learn

[InkyPages]

is there a reason you used dental floss? Aside from the quantity?

[alyiswriting]

@InkyPages I was going for simple and easily accessible...and also it's easy to work with because it's waxy. Plus it smells nice! But you could use any sort of thread, yarn, wire, etc...feel free to experiment!

[erni414]

i've never even had the desire to bind my own book until watching this video; now i really want to try it!

[alyiswriting]

@erni414 Yay! 

[violetichigo1999]

Michael Faraday bound his lecture notes on science into a book that he used to impress Sir Humphry Davis, which led to him becoming an apprentice and making his big discovery.

I do the finger-glue thing too, in fact I did it today. Do you love or hate peeling the skin of drying glue off your finger? This is definitely different than the videos you've made this year and I can't wait to make some little journals. Be prepared for questions soon.

[alyiswriting]

@violetichigo1999 I love peeling glue off of my hands, but I actually haven't done it in a while (instead, I frequently washed my hands during the course of making this video.)

Bring the questions on!

[VLicious8704]

I absolutely love this idea and I am totally stealing it to make presents for my family. That is, after I make about 5 for myself. :P Who wouldn't want a colorful, customized pocket journal to carry around?!

[daniellenonumbers]

Thanks for sharing! Looks quite easy, going to make one now. If I succeed, I'm never buying notebooks again :D

[1sprinkledloveaffair]

Well thought out and very informative! Thanks!!! I am going to try your method.

[ParisHoney1998]

you remind me of my friend that went psychopathic.....just sayin'

[ootiebootie]

lol i love this its so easy and fun and im only 10 so if i can o it iny of you can do it

[OLDCANNONBALL34]

Can listen to you all day, you look super sexy with glasses.

[analissa123]

Hehe, thats how i attatch the cover to the pages aswell. ;)

[DavidVlogs]

I've never considered what goes into making a book, so this was enlightening! Also, I found it all extremely adorable--you putting the book together. Very cute haha.

[piecesofkate]

Very creative and interesting!

[MegamanX50]

Awesome, something new I learn from you ^_^ thank you