From d7b4c74cb6102ffe87e0c0c0a1497827f9ffd41d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Elena ``of Valhalla'' Grandi Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2023 20:09:27 +0200 Subject: New instructions for a zine made of watercolour paper --- .../zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.rst | 180 +++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 180 insertions(+) create mode 100644 source/bookbinding/zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.rst (limited to 'source/bookbinding/zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.rst') diff --git a/source/bookbinding/zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.rst b/source/bookbinding/zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2221894 --- /dev/null +++ b/source/bookbinding/zines/watercolour_paper_zine/index.rst @@ -0,0 +1,180 @@ +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. -- cgit v1.2.3