Bound: Away Childish Things by @letteredlettered
Featuring art by: @the-forbidden-forest Typeset and bound by: me, @phoenixortheflame
Harry gets de-aged. Malfoy has to help him.
It's done! It's done! It's finally done! My contribution to @fandomtrumpshate 2025, with proceeds going to the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights.
The winning bidder requested a bound copy of ACT, and I pulled out allllll the stops for this amazing fundraiser. It features a cutout on the front cover, hand-sewn endbands, and a rounded and backed spine.
This was my first time making a case and/or box. Mistakes were made! Measurements were *not* accurate! But — for a first attempt — I’m pretty bloody happy. The embossing detail is done using the fox I cut out for the cover.
The whole design centres around this amazing Katazome-shi paper which I've been saving for the perfect fic. If you don't know the story, this paper was made by Mr. Kawakatsu, who owned one of the last remaining Katazome-shi production studios in Japan. He passed away suddenly this year with no succession in place. I was fortunate to get a single sheet of this paper, and I could not think of a more beautiful fic and more worthy cause to use it for.
This was my second time backing a spine, and I think it turned out really beautifully — though next time I will probably use one less sheet of paper per signature to emphasize the mushroom shape a bit more. Still, the book opens beautifully and the spine has a nice curve to it.
(This photo is for the binders specifically. I know you'll appreciate it.)
The typeset features the most beautiful, sweet, charming art by @the-forbidden-forest. She drew not only a full-spread piece for the full-title page, but also individual illustrations for each chapter.
(Amelia, I love you, you are a gift to fandom and I will cherish your friendship always!)
I will let Amelia share all the art, but for now, here is a peek at some of the gorgeous chapter head art she did. (Can you tell I recently learned how to add text to a path in Affinity?)
Okay a few details about the bind process + materials...
Process highlights
The case was made using DAS's two-part tutorial, Making a Clamshell Enclosure for Rare, Valuable or Fragile Books. Admittedly, I did find the measurements part very confusing, and it resulted in a not completely straight/flush case; however, I think now that I've done it once I'll be able to do it again — and better. As far as the process though, DAS nails it, as per usual.
The cut out was done using the same method I detailed here; however, instead of one layer of cardstock, I laminated two sheets together. I used a craft knife with a brand new blade, and the fox face that I cut out was in such good shape I was able to use it on the box cover to create an embossing effect.
The endbands are double core using @maleekamolscreates tutorial as a reference.
Materials highlights
The blue bookcloth is Verona brand in Midnight; the beige is Iris brand in Sandstone.
All endband thread is Trebizon silk thread.
HTV is Cricut brand.
Typeset paper is short-grain cream paper from Canada Papers.
As always, I couldn't have — wouldn't have — finished this project without all my people cheering me on, pointing me to various resources, and inspiring the hell out of me. @citrusses, @maleekamolscreates, @sits-bound, @haxkattpress, @epitomereally, @plor-bindery, @mlcbindings — thank you, all!
