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authorElena ``of Valhalla'' Grandi <valhalla@trueelena.org>2023-08-06 20:09:27 +0200
committerElena ``of Valhalla'' Grandi <valhalla@trueelena.org>2023-08-06 20:09:27 +0200
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treec9eaabcc4e6e811f122a0b4cd6464cd41258aabf /source/bookbinding/zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.rst
parent7720b7773dad6c0a3b93e2a1d1627a1b2fb81bb0 (diff)
New instructions for a zine made of watercolour paper
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+Watercolour Paper Zine
+======================
+
+.. figure:: finished_zine_top.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+.. only:: html
+
+ .. contents::
+
+This is a way to sew together a zine that is made of heavyweight paper,
+such as watercolour paper.
+
+Because of the thickness of this kind of paper, the classical method
+from a single sheet, with one cut and many folds, wouldn't work; on the
+other hand with four, or even just two sheets this is sturdy enough that
+sewing is an option.
+
+Of course a long-arm stapler would also be an alternative, but that's
+a somewhat specialized tool that not everybody has.
+
+Materials
+---------
+
+You need:
+
+* 1 sheet of watercolour paper;
+* bookbinding or other strong thread;
+
+Starting with an A3 (or two A4) sheet of paper will result in an A6 or
+postcard sized zine, which is good for mailing, or use other sizes to taste.
+
+These instructions will make a 16 pages zine; dividing the paper in just
+two pieces for an 8 pages zine would also work.
+
+300 g/m² is a good weight; going above that may be harder to fold.
+
+Bookbinding thread thick waxed linen thread, a thick sewing linen thread
+waxed by rubbing it on a piece of beeswax also works.
+
+As an alternative, something like buttonhole twist can be used, but
+regular sewing thread should only be used as a last resort, and at least
+used double.
+
+As for tools, you will need:
+
+* a ruler, ideally metal;
+* X-acto or snap-off blade knife;
+* a needle big enough for the thread used;
+* some weight, such as a bag of big washers or a few big books;
+* a surface suitable for cutting;
+* a soft surface to work on when making holes, such as a few layers of
+ felt / fabric;
+* optionally: a needle tip, mounted in an handle;
+* optionally: an awl.
+
+For the needle, regular big hand-sewing needles will work fine, or you
+can use specialized bookbinding needles with a blunt tip.
+
+A regular big needle that has been wrapped in a handle made of polymer
+clay (or any other kind of modelling material) is much more comfortable
+than just using a bare needle to score the paper, and can also be used
+instead of the awl to poke the holes before sewing.
+
+Instructions
+------------
+
+.. figure:: 01-cut_paper.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Cut the paper into four equal sheet (or two, if making an 8 pages zine),
+twice as big as the finished zine.
+
+.. figure:: 02-scoring_paper.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Measure and score each sheet in the middle using the needle mounted in a
+handle (or the needle you will use for sewing the book).
+
+.. figure:: 03-folding.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Put all sheets on top of each other and carefully fold them in half into
+a signature, letting the outer sheets curve around the inner ones.
+
+.. figure:: 04-weight.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Put everything under a weight for a while.
+
+.. figure:: 05-making_holes.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Using an awl (or again, the needle you will sew with and some care) make
+an even number of holes in the fold; for an A6 zine you may make 4
+holes, about every 30 mm.
+
+.. figure:: sewing.svg
+ :align: center
+
+Sew the zine with a backstitch, i.e. the stitch shown in the image above:
+
+.. figure:: 06-thread.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+cut a piece of thread that is twice as long as the spine
+plus 10 cm;
+
+.. figure:: 07-sewing-01.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+starting from the hole at the bottom of the zine, and from
+the outside, pass the thread to the inside and leaving a 3–4 cm tail;
+
+.. figure:: 08-sewing-02.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+then outside in the next hole;
+
+.. figure:: 09-sewing-03.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+again inside and outside;
+
+.. figure:: 10-sewing-04.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+when you reach the top of the zine you should be at the outside of the
+zine, go back to the inside in the second hole from the top;
+
+.. figure:: 11-sewing-05.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+and again outside and inside until you're back at the bottom, you should
+be on the inside of the zine;
+
+.. figure:: 12-knot-01.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+pass the needle through the last stitch, and in the loop to make a knot,
+repeat for a second knot;
+
+.. figure:: 12-knot-02.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+pass the needle again to the outside;
+
+.. figure:: 13-knot_03.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+finish the seam with a square knot.
+
+.. figure:: 14-finishing_thread.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Trim the ends of the thread so that they are shorter than the book
+
+.. figure:: 15-weight_again.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Put everything under a weight for at least two hours, or overnight.
+
+.. figure:: 16_trim.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+Carefully trim the pages with a ruler and knife to the size of the outer
+page.
+
+.. figure:: finished_zine_front.jpg
+ :align: center
+
+See also
+--------
+
+* https://mastodon.art/@rina/110842136688688125 the fediverse thread
+ that gave me the idea.
+* https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Zine making an 8-pages zine with just
+ one cut (where I took the size recommendation from).
+* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XCvTZRVbgg kettle stitch binding for
+ a full book.