DIY: Crafty Book Binding by Janis Nicolay

Hello all! Janis here, from Pinecone Camp. I'd like to share a simple, and fun, crafty project with you. It's a good one to do with kids, though you may want to handle the awl or it could be hazardous. Ouch.

I used to shoot weddings, and my partner and I would also make the albums for our clients. We used the "stab-stitch" method. I've since picked up a book called "How To Make Books" by Esther K. Smith, to pick up some other methods. My niece wanted to make some books to give her friends when she goes back to school, so I chose a simple stitch and gathered up some bits of paper and cardboard that I had laying around.  Here we go...

The materials used for this little book. Everyone seems to have left-over bits of paper, so rather than toss out, make a book!

Tools used for this project. A paper punch (to create circles), needle, awl, bone folder, bulldog clips, exacto blade, scissors, and a ruler.


Cut and fold paper and cardboard to the size you want the book to be. Burnish the folds with a bone folder.


After scoring the back side of both the front and back covers (about 3/4" from side), clip all pages and covers with bulldog clips. Use some paper to pad the bulldog clips to prevent dents in cardboard.

For a 5"x7" book punch three holes with the awl: one in the centre and one on each end about 1" in.

Using book binding thread or a sturdy cord or ribbon, start stitching. I used a stitch very similar to what I did with wedding albums. It's pretty easy, but you really can come up with many different patterns. Try it out!


Cut out shapes with your scrap paper. We made some simple birds and circles. Glue stick was used to attach cut-outs to cover.

My niece wanted a place for "secret messages and stickers", so I made an envelope for the inside back cover. Every girl should have a safe place for secret messages and stickers!

You can do so much with a few bits of scrap paper and some book binding tools. Have fun!

All images by Janis Nicolay at Pinecone Camp.