How to Create Books with Japanese Stab Binding

jane paper crafts Oct 10, 2020

Have you ever thought about learning to bind or start book binding and felt overwhelmed by not just how many types there are out there, but by the supplies required to make some of them happen? I have one for you today, that is perfect for someone who wants to try binding without having to invest in a lot of tools or time.

There are many different types and techniques of binding and book binding available. They range from being simple to complex and have various looks and functionality. Many require supplies like boards, clamps, glue, cloth, etc. on top of the basic binding supplies. The most versatile of these is Japanese Stab Binding. It is a simple binding technique that requires just a handful of supplies. You can use any type or paper and even mix/match materials. The only requirement is that the material has to be cut to the same size. No folding or gluing required!

You can use this technique to create your own calligraphy or watercolor journals, photo albums or scrapbooks, diaries, or to bind a collection of things like envelope art and happy mail!

Let's get started!

Topics Covered

Supplies needed
What Japanese Stab Binding looks like (samples)
How to tear paper without a paper cutter
How to space out the holes for punching
How to create holes using a tapered awl
How to measure out thread
How to create a journal using Japanese Stab Binding technique
How to bind a collection of envelopes using the technique

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Materials Needed

Binding Supplies

Cutting mat or something to protect your work surface
Needle (doll, bookbinding, or embroidery) that has an eye that is not larger than the body and the eye is large enough to easily thread waxed linen thread through (I will be using a 3.5" long doll (darning) needle)
Waxed Linen Thread or embroidery thread (I will be using waxed Irish linen thread from Volcano Arts)
Awl - tapered is best, but a straight body awl will work (I will be using a white Clover tapered awl #3437-035)
Scissors
Pencil
12" Ruler - metal is better but plastic/acrylic will work
Decorative paper (designer paper, scrapbook paper, handmade paper, marbled paper, Japanese rice paper) cut to match your preferred size of paper (I will be using hand-marbled paper from Jane Doherty on Etsy - MissHellebore)
Paper - 7-8 pieces of -32# printer paper, 5-6 pieces of +40# text weight paper, 3-4 pieces of +140 watercolor paper, cut to your preferred size for a journal (My sample will be 6" x 9" using 90# Sulphite drawing paper)
Envelopes of your choice, decorated or plain (I will be using five colored envelopes (5 1/4" x 7 1/4") sandwiched between two white (5 1/4" x 7 1/4") envelopes for my front and back.
Binder clips (2-4 medium or small)

Optional supplies:

Bone folder if you choose to fold your paper instead of cutting or tearing them

Homework Challenge

Want to see our students' homework? Search the hashtag #kcabinding on Instagram to see samples from this week's homework. Our students who participate in this challenge get entered into a drawing to win prizes.

Instructor: Jane Matsumoto

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Facebook: @ginkgoarts