Picked up the DW +3 Bundle of Holding this week and couldn’t wait to finally read Perilous Wilds, Freebooters on the Frontier but… I really prefer reading my RPG books as uh, books. My solution: I learned how to make saddle-stitch books!
Lots of YouTube videos out there but I’d be happy to share tips if pics aren’t self-explanatory.
Those look really slick. So basically, just align the pages, nail holes in them, and then stitch?
Chris Stone-Bush pretty much, cleaning up the ends of the pages is the hardest part- not really needed for books under about 24 pages, but for longer/larger ones the pages get a bit funky. After trimming them with a ruler and sharp knife the edges are still a bit uneven so I use my wood+clamps to get it close to even and use some fine grit sandpaper to even the ends off. Wish I knew a better trick/tools for this bit.
Edit: a little googling on the topic turned up “book plough” including examples of modifying a chisel for this purpose. Linked video by a guy who make+sells ploughs has some good tips- cutting only 1-3 sheets per pass, clearing out the cut bits, using a cardboard or other stop to keep the last pages from folding over. Good part is these PDFs have nice margins so if I want to try cleaning up the edges of the books I still can.
https://www.ibookbinding.com/blog/using-makeshift-bookbinding-plough/
Good work!
For those interested in some of the best demos (IMHO) check out Sea Lemon. She’s a crazy craft dervish.
youtube.com – Sea Lemon
Greg Gelder thanks! pretty sure I watched at least one of her videos when first exploring the idea
Beautiful!
Any print ship worth its salt will have a “guillotine” paper cutter that can trim the edges in one fell swoop. I realize that might detract from the DIY spirit of this sort of undertaking, though.
Jason Lutes thanks, looking around at posts on tools that sounded likely to be the case and easiest approach for the cleanest edges. I might do this if binding stuff to give as gifts, but the “rustic look” works for me.