| Once you've made one or two of these you will | | | | top of the book. The third mark will be made between |
| become addicted. They are great to make as gifts or | | | | center mark and bottom of book. These become the |
| to keep for you. In any case it's wonderful to have | | | | marks for a 3 hole sewing method. This is ideal for |
| original little booklets in your house or purse. They can | | | | smaller books; however if you want the book to be |
| be used for journals or elegant invitations. This | | | | larger then 5 holes are required. The sewing steps are |
| pamphlet or single-section book uses a 3 or 5 hole | | | | the same in both cases. |
| sewing method. | | | | 4. With an awl or sharp thick needle pierce through all |
| Materials: | | | | pages including the cover at the 3 pencil marks. |
| Paper for text: you can use handmade or commercial | | | | 5. Your thread should be about 3 times the height of |
| Decorative paper for end papers | | | | your book. You can use embroidery thread in gold or |
| Card or heavy weight paper for covers | | | | any color that works well with your papers, or waxed |
| Decorative sewing threads such as embroidery thread, | | | | linen thread. Begin sewing by inserting the needle into |
| waxed linen, or narrow ribbon | | | | the center hole from the inside of the book. Pull thread |
| Craft knife | | | | through to the back and leave about 2-3 inches of |
| Ruler | | | | thread on the inside to tie final knot. Insert needle in top |
| Scissors | | | | hole and pull through to inside. Insert needle into the |
| Awl | | | | bottom hole and pull through to the back. Insert needle |
| Needle | | | | back into the center hole making sure the beginning |
| Pencil | | | | and the end of the thread are on opposite sides of the |
| Self-healing cutting mat | | | | long stitch that runs from the top hole to the bottom. |
| Basic Method: | | | | Now tie off the ends of the thread across the long |
| 1. Cut the paper to the size you want. Usually 8 to 10 | | | | thread. The long thread stops the knot from popping |
| folios (page) are enough for one book. However the | | | | out of the hole. You can also try this sewing procedure |
| number of folios depends on the weight of the paper. | | | | with very narrow ribbon. Instead of knot you can make |
| Thicker paper will allow fewer folios and thinner paper | | | | a bow with long tails. |
| will allow more folios. The folios will be the pages of | | | | 6. Now cut a piece of decorative paper the same |
| your book. Fold the folios in half and slip them inside | | | | height as your book and approximately 3-4 inches |
| each other to make a section. | | | | wider. Wrap the paper around the card cover and fold |
| 2. You can place a decorative sheet of paper on the | | | | in the excess over the front and back at the edges. |
| outside of the section to act as end papers. The end | | | | Press the folds with your bone folder to create a nice |
| paper should be the same size. You can create a | | | | clean edge. |
| cover for the book with card or heavy paper | | | | 7. You can also reverse the whole sewing procedure |
| approximately 2mm longer and wider than the folios. | | | | by starting on the outside of the book yet following the |
| Put the cover around the outside of the folded folios. | | | | same steps. The knot or bow will end up on the |
| 3. The sewing begins by opening the book to the | | | | outside of the book. Then you can add pretty beads |
| middle. Mark the center with a light pencil. Make a | | | | on the tail ends of the bow.If you choose this method |
| second pencil mark between the first mark and the | | | | then skip Step #6. |