Chantelle- If you wrap your 220 sandpaper around a small block of wood, it’s easier to sand a flat and level surface. Also easier to grip and less fatiguing on your hands
I’m a p.t. woodworker and this is what I was also going to recommend. Another option is to purchase firm sanding blocks instead of sheets of sandpaper. They’re easy to hold and get the job done quickly. As a papermaker and card maker (more often than woodworking), I always have a few different grits on hand.😊
Tips from a fellow creative (moi): Use isopropyl alcohol to clean gooey stuff off scissors, such as double-sided tape residue. I use a folded over paper towel so I don’t cut my fingers on the scissor blades whilst wiping them. It works well and evaporates fast so no worries of rusting. If you wash any tool with soap and water, don’t soak them and be sure to dry thoroughly in case there’s parts of the tool that could rust. Baby wipes are also good to keep nearby to clean small areas or your hands (you never want to smudge a beautiful journal you’re creating). If you work with glitter or anything similar, Swiffer sheets are great for quick cleanups as they really grab and contain those tiny bits. I also keep a Crafter’s Toolkit Glue and Residue Eraser (it’s a flat square in a honey colour with a bumpy texture)…in a non-aggressive rubbing motion, these work great for removing small areas of dried glue smears, rogue paint marks, inks, etc from without damaging the substrate (especially paper or cardboard). You can find them via amazon for only a few bucks. If you use a glue-gun for any crafting, once completed, quickly zap the pesky glue strings with a hair dryer or heat tool and they will magically vanish. Chanel, I’ve been an crafter and professional instructor for many decades and love sharing info. I hope you and your followers find some of these tips helpful. Apologies for seemingly commandeering your comment section! :-)
I have trouble with cutting my text blocks; the top edge is nice, but the bottom is almost always wavy! I have currently been avoiding it by using torn deckle-look edges so that they don't have to line up perfectly 😅Thank you for these tips, and for sharing your experiences!
The sandpaper really does help, but I think I definitely need a better utility blade because my own novel is over 650 pages long and it’s sooo hard to get the sides trimmed top side and bottom lol
Just found your channel because I'm making some props for a few Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Going to also make some notebooks for my players with some of the tips on this channel. 🙂
So a tip I learnt somewhere along the line for trimming book blocks or cutting bookboard by hand is to doing standing up and to lift the foot from the same side you hold the cutter, this puts greater and steadier pressure on the hand holding the ruler. Nothing worse than being half way through trimming and the ruler moves!
I am jack of all Trades and I'll give another few tips. If you happen to have a bench vice and/or hand plane, you can use those too. The vice can be used as a book press while sowing the binding onand glueing the spine. The plane can be used to cut the pages to plane while in the vice. You use sharp chisels or leaether knives for the book boardsand cover cloth/leather. Now, I know a lot of these tips may seem odd, but a LOT of wood working tools have moved into the kitchen like the zester for hard skinned fruit and root vegatables. That is a wood working tool. So why not use other tool.
I'm really looking forward to the book! I preordered because your videos have inspired me to make my own sketchbooks and journals. Thanks so much Chanel!
I bound a 480 page user manual and trimmed the edge with a stanley knife, but did it in stages, 40 or so pages at a time, by putting the cutting mat inside the text block, trimming those 40 pages, and then gathering the next lot of 40 pages, moving the cutting mat below them, and using a few pages from the previous trim to position my ruler for the next cut, and so on. I've used this technique a few times now and it turns out surprisingly well. The hard part with a knife is the top and bottom edges because of the spine swell.
Thank you🥰 I can't tell you how helpful all your videos are. You are so kind and explain things so well, thank you, thank you!!😃 I just received your ebook and look forward to reading and following along as I begin this journey! I'm so excited 😁🥰
@@bittermelonbindery I have no clue what the style is that I’m using. I just did generic text block sewing with the thingies you sew to it. Then I glue on the bookmark ribbon and then the end ribbon thing and the extra thin cheese cloth type fiber. I glue the whole cover on that text block.
Chantelle- If you wrap your 220 sandpaper around a small block of wood, it’s easier to sand a flat and level surface. Also easier to grip and less fatiguing on your hands
Good tip!
I’m a p.t. woodworker and this is what I was also going to recommend. Another option is to purchase firm sanding blocks instead of sheets of sandpaper. They’re easy to hold and get the job done quickly. As a papermaker and card maker (more often than woodworking), I always have a few different grits on hand.😊
What weight of paper do you use for notebooks? Thanks. You're my inspiration.
I mostly use 80 lb text weight (118 gsm), I've been happy with 60 lb (90 gsm) as well
@@bittermelonbindery Thank you very much
Tips from a fellow creative (moi): Use isopropyl alcohol to clean gooey stuff off scissors, such as double-sided tape residue. I use a folded over paper towel so I don’t cut my fingers on the scissor blades whilst wiping them. It works well and evaporates fast so no worries of rusting. If you wash any tool with soap and water, don’t soak them and be sure to dry thoroughly in case there’s parts of the tool that could rust. Baby wipes are also good to keep nearby to clean small areas or your hands (you never want to smudge a beautiful journal you’re creating). If you work with glitter or anything similar, Swiffer sheets are great for quick cleanups as they really grab and contain those tiny bits. I also keep a Crafter’s Toolkit Glue and Residue Eraser (it’s a flat square in a honey colour with a bumpy texture)…in a non-aggressive rubbing motion, these work great for removing small areas of dried glue smears, rogue paint marks, inks, etc from without damaging the substrate (especially paper or cardboard). You can find them via amazon for only a few bucks. If you use a glue-gun for any crafting, once completed, quickly zap the pesky glue strings with a hair dryer or heat tool and they will magically vanish. Chanel, I’ve been an crafter and professional instructor for many decades and love sharing info. I hope you and your followers find some of these tips helpful. Apologies for seemingly commandeering your comment section! :-)
I have trouble with cutting my text blocks; the top edge is nice, but the bottom is almost always wavy! I have currently been avoiding it by using torn deckle-look edges so that they don't have to line up perfectly 😅Thank you for these tips, and for sharing your experiences!
I like the deckled edges for that reason too haha
really appreciate how this video is direct and to the point, thank you for all these helpful tips!
The sandpaper really does help, but I think I definitely need a better utility blade because my own novel is over 650 pages long and it’s sooo hard to get the sides trimmed top side and bottom lol
Wow that's ambitious. If you can get the sewing to line up well, the top and bottom edges don't look bad when they're untrimmed.
bro, I had the same experience. by the middle, i'm not trimming the start anymore. it's sliding.
Just found your channel because I'm making some props for a few Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Going to also make some notebooks for my players with some of the tips on this channel. 🙂
So a tip I learnt somewhere along the line for trimming book blocks or cutting bookboard by hand is to doing standing up and to lift the foot from the same side you hold the cutter, this puts greater and steadier pressure on the hand holding the ruler. Nothing worse than being half way through trimming and the ruler moves!
Great tips thank you 📚📚😁 I really must get a better cutting knife! ❤
It's essential!
Solid, straight forward tool and other materials selections --- with clear explanations. Good video.....
I am jack of all Trades and I'll give another few tips. If you happen to have a bench vice and/or hand plane, you can use those too. The vice can be used as a book press while sowing the binding onand glueing the spine. The plane can be used to cut the pages to plane while in the vice. You use sharp chisels or leaether knives for the book boardsand cover cloth/leather. Now, I know a lot of these tips may seem odd, but a LOT of wood working tools have moved into the kitchen like the zester for hard skinned fruit and root vegatables. That is a wood working tool. So why not use other tool.
cannot wait to start my own book binding business! thank you Chanel!
Хорошенькая :)
вот прям милаха
what weight is the book board you use? Where do you purchase it. Thank you.
Just preordered your book.
My go-to weight is 0.08” or about 2 mm and I get mine from Colophon Book Arts
Thank you!
I bought all the basic bookbinding supplies but I just still haven’t gotten around to actually starting!😅
So helpful start to finish! Using sandpaper that way is such a great idea.
I'm really looking forward to the book! I preordered because your videos have inspired me to make my own sketchbooks and journals. Thanks so much Chanel!
Thank you so much, I'm excited for you to receive it!
What brand of knife do you use?
your book is in my basket waiting for payday- I can't wait!
Aw that means a lot 🥲
I love all of these tips, especially the last one.
Where can I get the metal spacers ?
these tips seemed super helpful, I'd love to try them one day ❤
Wonderful video, super clear and with Inspiration. Thank you very much. Congratulations
I bound a 480 page user manual and trimmed the edge with a stanley knife, but did it in stages, 40 or so pages at a time, by putting the cutting mat inside the text block, trimming those 40 pages, and then gathering the next lot of 40 pages, moving the cutting mat below them, and using a few pages from the previous trim to position my ruler for the next cut, and so on. I've used this technique a few times now and it turns out surprisingly well. The hard part with a knife is the top and bottom edges because of the spine swell.
The video hadn't even started yet and I had already pressed like 'cause I knew the tips would be 🌟gold tier🌟
😘😘😘
😂 Same here. So excited because this was precisely what I was looking into and needing. I swear she read my mind... and heart! ❤
Thank you🥰 I can't tell you how helpful all your videos are. You are so kind and explain things so well, thank you, thank you!!😃 I just received your ebook and look forward to reading and following along as I begin this journey! I'm so excited 😁🥰
Thank you so much for the tips. You are amazing and cant wait for the book. It is on order.
Thanks! Looking forward to doing business/supporting your work with you- De’borah-Yah
Thank you so much 💖💖💖
Sanding ! Thank you❤
Thank you for the tips 🥰
Tip #5 is very good.
❤❤❤
Thank you Chanel!
you have been very helpful!
Loves the video very helpfull. What camera do u use ?
It’s in my description, it took a while to learn how to use it but I love it
Thanks for sharing!!
I tried a 3/8” spacer for the hinge gap and that was too big. I had to take it down to about 3/16”.
yeah it can really depend on the binder's style. glad you found a gap space that works.
@@bittermelonbindery I have no clue what the style is that I’m using. I just did generic text block sewing with the thingies you sew to it. Then I glue on the bookmark ribbon and then the end ribbon thing and the extra thin cheese cloth type fiber. I glue the whole cover on that text block.
can't wait to get your book!