Project #184

Time: 2-3 Class Periods
Difficulty: Advanced
Cleanup: Soap & Water

Materials:

Muslin

Corrugated Cardboard

12x18" Mixed Media Paper

String or Thread

Extra Strength Glue Sticks

Bone Folder

Scissors

Needle Tool

Needle

Cover Decorating Materials (optional)

Decorative Paper (optional)

Create a unique journal with Multi-Media Paper, muslin and corrugated board. This project also has an instructional video available!

Step 1
Fold 25 sheets of 12x18" Mixed Media art paper in half to 9x12". A bone folder makes a nice, crisp edge. This example makes a 96-page journal.
Step 2
Insert five sheets together to make a 10-page "signature". Do this four more times to make five 10-page signatures.
Step 3
Make a hole template. Use a needle tool to punch holes in the center fold for all five signatures. The template keeps all the holes in the same place. The holes in this example are at 1/2", 2-1/2", 5", 7", 9-1/2" and 11-1/2".
Step 4
String the five signatures together. See our YouTube video for a full description of this process.
Step 5
Optional: Attach decorative "end paper" to the front and back pages. Wrap the spine with an additional sheet of Multi-Media Paper to reinforce the binding. The signature book will be attached directly to the cover.
Step 6
Cut an 18x26" sheet of muslin. The muslin will make a good, durable cover that takes decoration well. This example is painted with acrylic washes so the texture of the muslin can still be seen.
Step 7
Cut a front and back cover out of corrugated cardboard that is 1/4" wider than the book. Cut out a spine as well. Glue the cardboard to the muslin leaving a 1/4" gap between the spine and the covers. Trim the muslin to 2" around the edge. Cut notches in the corners and glue the flaps down on the inside covers.
Step 8
To finish, glue the end papers (or the first and last pages, if there are no end papers) to the corrugated cardboard inside the jacket.