{DIY} Pocket Size Letterpress Sketchbook
Feb. 23 10
Anything pocket-sized is cool with me. Grab it and go types of things. And of course, letterpress is always a plus. So I combined a couple of my favorite things for today’s diy: a pocket size letterpress sketchbook. Its similar to a project I did for 100 Layer Cake a while back, but I switched some things around to accommodate for a more practical everyday item…
What do I need to make this?
Materials: Needle and thread (or embroidery floss), scissors, blank sheets of paper (consider using a thicker weight than standard printer paper) and blank letterpress cards. Optional: bookbinding awl and paper cutter. The most important materials though are the letterpress cards that you choose. I chose a blind embossed eyelet lace set from Pistachio Press. Look for letterpress sets with multiple cards to save even more money, and use an A2 size card (4.25 x 5.5 inches).
How do I make this?
Steps (above for images): 1. Measure the letterpress cards you are using, and then with a paper cutter or a pair of scissors, cut the sheet in half horizontally. Now you have two halves of paper that are of equal size.
2. Trim about 1/4 inch off of your newly cut sheets all the way around the edges. Then fold sheets in half (hamburger style this time) and stick the pages inside your letterpress card.
3. Trim any excess so that it fits neatly into your letterpress card. There shouldn’t be too many problems with that though since we already trimmed the pages before folding them in half.
4. Next, turn to the middle section of your newly formed booklet. Using a stab or bookbinding awl, create three evenly spaced holes down the spine of your booklet.
5. Use your needle and thread or embroidery floss to go through the three holes as if you are binding a book. Then tie the thread or embroidery floss off and cut off any excess. Thats it- all done. Here’s the finished product…
Looking for more ideas for quick and easy projects? Click here to visit the tutorials page filled with almost 30 diy’s.
10 Responses to “{DIY} Pocket Size Letterpress Sketchbook”
Oh love this! Great if you want to dabble in book binding w/o investing in all the equipment.
Miriam at Made Right Guide commented on February 23rd, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Great tutorial! I will definitely try this out.
But in step 2 when you say “hotdog style this time” I think it’s still hamburger style, or the pages would be long and skinny and not fold like the card.
Rae commented on February 24th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Woops- you are right Rae. Thanks for catching that. I just fixed it.
-Brittni
papernstitch commented on February 24th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
[...] of Paper n Stitch shows how to put together a simple little pocket size letterpress sketchbook with heavy stock paper and a letterpress card. I love that the technique can really be used with [...]
How-To: Pocket Size Letterpress Sketchbook | Crafts Kids :: Free Crafts Network commented on February 25th, 2010 at 2:06 am
[...] of Paper n Stitch shows how to put together a simple little pocket size letterpress sketchbook with heavy stock paper and a letterpress card. I love that the technique can really be used with [...]
How-To: Pocket Size Letterpress Sketchbook | Crocheting Site - Patterns, crochets commented on February 25th, 2010 at 8:40 am
This is a very sweet little book I think that so many people would love getting one in the mail!
Rose commented on February 26th, 2010 at 12:59 am
Little books, yes, how I love them. Wish I had a pile of letterpressed cards like those beautiful ones to play with…
Thanks for the tutorial!
iHanna commented on February 28th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
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Ji Debenedictis commented on March 16th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Did you get the pattern on those pages by dry embossing over the crocheted doilies? Or did you buy the cards from that company with the embossing on them? If so, what are the doilies in the pictures used for?
Sue commented on June 5th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Sue, I purchased the cards with the letterpress design already on them.
-Brittni
Brittni: papernstitch commented on June 6th, 2010 at 6:47 pm