So now I want to be a bookbinder
Last month I started this newsletter by saying that 2020 has been a year where we needed to find the fun… and so far, 2021 is seeming the same.
On that note, I’m thrilled to share our first hobby of the year with you. Thank you, Erica, for taking the time to tell us about bookbinding. Erica says that bookbinding is “a natural fit for anyone who loves books, notebooks, and stationery.” Which means I now have another hobby on my list to try! :)
I hope you enjoy this interview. And have fun, with whatever your hobby may be.
What is your name, email address and business?
My name is Erica Holthausen, I am the founder of Catchline Communications. Writers, researchers, and editors, we partner with visionary leaders to get their bold, insightful, and galvanizing ideas out into the world.
What hobby or fun activity are you going to be telling us about?
Bookbinding.
How long have you been enjoying this hobby?
I started exploring bookbinding seriously in 2020.
What led you to start?
I used to serve on the advisory committee for the Northeast Document Conservation Center. I loved when we got to take a tour of the facility and watch the conservators at work, and I especially loved learning how they conserve books.
It was through my work with that organization that I started to learn about bookbinding. Then, in 2020, I started following a bookbinder on Instagram. She included a few tutorials about some of the different techniques and I decided to give it a try!
It’s a natural fit for anyone who loves books, notebooks, and stationery.
What do you love about it?
I love the history and language of bookbinding. It is an ancient artform that allows you to talk about assembling a codex (a book) from a set of signatures (a stack of folded paper sheets). You can learn about papermaking, leatherwork, and printmaking, all within the context of bookbinding. Bookbinding can be extremely complicated, featuring tooled leather covers and gilded pages of hand-made paper. But it can also be quite simple, made with recycled cardboard, magazine photos and printer paper.
What do you think might surprise people about this hobby?
Although hand-bound books can be quite elaborate, all you really need to get started is an awl, needle, thread, printer paper, cardboard, glue stick, and fun paper for the cover. I’ve made a few notebooks out of recycled cardboard from a cereal box that I covered with an old map, wrapping paper, and photos cut out of a magazine.
Do you find it difficult to fit hobbies into your life? If so, how do you manage it?
I find that I have to be very intentional about fitting hobbies into my life, especially those hobbies not directly related to my work. I will actually set aside a day each month for bookbinding. I even get all of the materials I need set up the night before so I don’t put it off. And I always have a person in mind for the book I’m making.
How do you recommend people get started?
First, start with the technique that intrigues you most. There are a lot of bookbinding techniques. Start with whichever one you find most interesting. I wanted to make a notebook that didn’t rely on glue for the binding (I have a tendency to glue my fingers together), shows off the stitches, and lays flat, so I chose to learn coptic binding first.
Second, gather your supplies. You can often find bookbinding supplies at art supply stores, but there are also a few companies that specialize in bookbinding supplies. I purchased an awl, needles, and thread from Colophon Book Arts Supply.
Third, find a few instructional videos. YouTube is a great resource for learning a new hobby! I learned the coptic stitch method from Jennifer at Sea Lemon.
Fess up—have you ever considered trying to make money off your hobby?
I’ve never considered turning bookbinding into a money-making venture. A hand-bound book is very personal, and I want to be able to take my time with each project so I can pick the perfect materials for the recipient. Bookbinding is a very meditative process, which is a big part of the allure. The fact that it results in the creation of a beautiful object you can give to someone you love is a definite bonus!
That’s a wrap—thanks so much for reading! And please do get in touch if you’d like to share your favourite hobby with readers in a future edition.