This was for a bookbinding challenge I did in February, and I think it turned out very beautiful, mostly due to the materials.
Actually not much to say about this project, the typesetting and design was really basic. It is the first time I've used that particular bookcloth and added a two-page spread.
The bookcloth has a beautiful texture and you can see how it shimmers in the video.
I was so stupid trying to figure out this spread because I used a different paper than the rest of the textblock, and couldn't figure out how to sew it in. Should I make a one page signature, tip it into the book, or what? Then I had the obvious realization to just work with the layout to make sure the spread is in the middle of the signature.
XD This is actually a fairly low number of WIPs for me. I really want to focus on the next Altmodes and Alchemy story, so I’m been trying to reign in the muse.
I do have one WIP that I didn’t list, but I think I may have permanently abandoned it. I originally conceived it as a video/movie that I could make with my toys, but I’d need a stop motion rig and I haven’t gotten around to setting one up. So I tried writing it just as a prose story and it’s simply not working. Maybe I’ll come back to it later. >.>
@blushlouise replied to your post: “Writing Update”
Oooh! I was just rereading the Sparkr stories the other day, so excited to see more coming!
Yay! Yes, they’re good smutty fun, aren’t they? XD The story “Peer Review” is actually the next Sparkr story, and I have three more planned after that one. It’s the AU that keeps on giving.
@rizobact and Dragonofdispair are some AU masters, and here is Jazz and Prowl sailing the Rust Sea. Go read Every Breaking Wave http://archiveofourown.org/works/11634522/chapters/26166138
264 pages (5.5 x 8.5 in) / 373 pages (4.25 x 7 in)
Fandom: Transformers
Pairing: Jazz/Prowl
This is such a fun and imaginative fic! I really enjoy the world-building in this story; it takes the TF canon and reworks it in such an interesting way. Plus ghosts! What more can you want? I'm looking forward to rereading this, now that I've bound it.
Fonts:
Body: Bodoni
Titles: Pretty Real and Marquisette
Materials:
Bookcloth: Dubletta gray
Title: Cricut Everyday Iron-On, black
Text block: Hammermill copy paper 20lbs; Londonderry linen thread 30/3, ivory
Bookmark: 3/8 in. lavender shimmer grossgrain ribbon
For several tedious reasons, this project took me quite a while to complete (including that I made 4 copies 😱). So, I don't quite remember my thought process or inspiration from choosing the layout. I think that mainly wanted to emphasize the fantasy/fairy tale vibe I get from the fic, as well as the whole "crystal" element. At first I looked over several "mystical" vector files for pictures of crystals, but I couldn't find anything that looked good; I ended up simplifying the idea and using simple shapes.
I normally don't go for pastels, but the lavender cover paper with the metallic flecks matched the mood I was going for. (I can't find the specific paper online; I got it from a local store, but they don't have a website to order from unfortunately.) The addition of the shimmer in the ribbon and embroidery floss, also went with the theme, as well as satisfying the part of my brain attracted to shiny objects. I had difficulty taking good pictures, but you can see the metallic flecks and texture of the paper better here:
On this project I learned was that wheat paste can really save you from mistakes. Previously, I used PVA glue to put on the cover paper. This time I mixed PVA and wheat paste together. And as is my habit, I placed the paper on crooked. 🙃 I've done the same with PVA before, and had to cut a whole new paper out. But this time I was able to just peel off and try again! So definitely recommend. (A lot of recipes say to use a stove, but I've had perfectly good results using a microwave instead).
For the image in the smaller book, I printed on some inkjet matte paper I've used before, but for the larger book I wanted paper that wasn't quite as thick and would lay better. I got it printed at FedEx Office, which I would recommend checking out if you have one in the area. I've printed images at Staples before, but (for at least the one near me) they don't have good options for matte paper. FedEx definitely had a better choice of paper (mine also have an up-and-down paper guillotine, instead of a swing one--check it out if you need some paper or bookboard cut).
However, I realized that laser printer makes the image come out darker as compared to the inkjet (as you can see below). So that's something to take into account the next time.
Some interiors of the smaller book as well:
Not much to say about the headbands, except that they are so fiddly to do, I always want to include a picture of them to commemorate my efforts lmao. That, and that sewing through grossgrain ribbon is easier than satin.
So it's not too interesting, but last week I finished up another 3 copies of Crystal Ghosts for some people in the J/P discord server I'm in. Which makes 7 copies of the book I've made so far. 😅 I think I'm taking a break with this one for a while.
I added some vinyl along the side this time, which was surprisingly annoying, probably because I'm an idiot and ironed on after the case was complete. I also changed the title page a bit on one of the copies, which I think looks a bit better.
Blue and white: paper was this marbled lokta and the bookcloth is this starched linen
Orange and pink: marbled mulberry paper (which was very thin, so I put some other paper undeneath) and Arrestox black bookcloth
Blue and gold: lokta paper and the same Arrestox black
If you're interested in bookbinding minutiae check under the cut to check out my flawless endpapers and headbands lol
A lot of people have trouble with their endpapers wrinkling but I've been lucky enough to never have a problem with it. Anyway, I'm proud how neat they turned out. It's all scrapbooking cardstock from Michael's.
Someday I'll learn how to take better photos.
The headbands is same old, same old, but I finally thought of using leather cord for the core instead of nylon, and it's so much easier. No need to mess around with gluing the end of the cord.
