Handmade Books at Home: A Beginner's Guide to Binding Journals, Sketchbooks, Photo Albums and More

As a keen paper lover and bookbinding newbie, Chanel Ly's handbook is simply the best book I've come across. Its clear instructions and numerous photographs have helped me progress in my bookbinding learning and encouraged me to move onward. Possibly the only thing to make it "better" would be to have it hand-bound by Miss Ly herself, but that is not its purpose. And one can easily purchase her handmade works of art online and view her many beautifully done videos. Projects are described in detail, step-by-step, assuming no previous depth of knowledge. Softcover and hardcover books, flat-back, round-back books and case bindings, well-known and loved stitches are all described in easily understood instructions. There is also a good section about designing your own book which includes up cycling a paperback book, how to make closures, adding pockets to books, and how to make your own book press. In addition to the usual sections on tools and papers, it covers paper types and sizes, spine swell, gluing techniques, and troubleshooting common errors. The resources and references section includes full URLs for avid readers.

Fantastic book to have. Sure, you can watch her wonderful videos but it’s nice to have something that you can quickly refer to rather than to stop and have to find that segment of one of her many tutorials. The book is high quality and very easy to understand. I am glad I picked it up and was happy to support this amazing creator that has taught me so much.

This is a book that you will enjoy just browsing thru, even if you never make a book. Beautiful work and clear instructions. Wonderful photography. A keeper, for sure.

This is a fabulous book that expands on the lessons of a highly regarded YouTube channel. Skip the YouTube, there is far more info in the Book. High quality printing, binding and images. Great buy.

I follow this creator on youtube and her work is so neat and so relaxing to watch. It's good to have a step-by-step guide for multiple projects and these ones are nicely laid out. Plus, the book is physically pretty to look at. I don't know why - it just is. Would recommend for beginners or even experienced bookbinders.

This is a great book for learning to bind your own sketchbooks. I wish it contained a list of suppliers for end papers, but thats easily dealt with. I used this book and several youtube tutorials - and am very happy w the results.

I bought Handmade Books at Home: A Beginner's Guide to Binding Journals, Sketchbooks, Photo Albums and More by Chanel Ly ($24.99) to help me design a curriculum for teaching neurodivergent adults and individuals with fine motor challenges how to construct simple, single-signature books. Overall, I have a very positive opinion of this book. The layout is clean, and the author clearly put a tremendous amount of thorough work into compiling valuable, accessible information for beginners. My primary area of disappointment lies in the scale of the photographs during critical learning steps. When demonstrating intricate maneuvers—such as tying knots, threading through tight areas, or connecting signatures—the images are simply too small. Because the physical book is medium-sized, those crucial step-by-step photos lack the close-up detail needed to clearly show the exact thread pathways. Speaking as an author of "how-to" instructional books, I hope future editions might retake some of these key process shots as tight close-ups. Alternatively, using an illustrator to create clean black-and-white line drawings for complex needle-and-thread maneuvers would be immensely helpful. Simple line renderings strip away background noise, paper textures, and shadows, allowing the reader to isolate the exact path of the thread, the position of the fingers, and the book's structural elements without distraction. It is a wonderful resource overall, but clearer visual emphasis on the fine mechanics of knotting and threading would make it far more effective for learners with diverse cognitive and physical needs.

This is at a good pace for me as I start out. I’m a visual artist and painter and writer; so I care about beauty and precision. I want that in my books I will be making. I am binding an 80-page novella to start. It is thin, of course. So I need enough detail to be able to replicate important steps in hard back cases. Ms Ly has taken great care in her steps, language, and photographs, each of those being distinct challenges in teaching manuals. The same is true of her YouTube videos on this subject. I think it will be fun in the future to have this physical keepsake (her book) reminding me and my family of how I started out in this beautiful craft. Anyway, we all love books, don’t we! So of course, get the book!

As a beginner bookbinder enthousiast I really enjoy this book. Clear instructions, from easy to more advanced bookbindings, it's perfect to startup, get a hang of it and learn all the bookbinding words. I also follow the author YouTube channel, it's filled with the same and more bookbindings so I can combine the book with video. I recommend this book for beginners.

Péssimo, não cumpre com o prometido no resumo. Não ensina nem quem já tem alguma experiência, muito menos quem é iniciante. Não tem esquemas nem fotos que ensinem a encadernar. As explicações também não são boas.

Che meraviglia questo libro. Una vera e propria guida passo a passo

Excellent book, very friendly and easy to follow, even more if you follow the author on Youtube.

"Handmade Books at Home" is a delightful treasure trove for book lovers and crafting enthusiasts alike. With its clear instructions, creative projects, and wealth of inspiration, this book is a must-have for anyone eager to embark on the journey of creating their own literary masterpieces. One of the book's standout features is its accessibility. The author, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for instruction, guides readers through each step of the bookmaking process with clarity and precision. From selecting materials to mastering binding techniques, every aspect of crafting a handmade book is covered in depth, making it suitable for beginners and experienced crafters alike. What truly sets "Handmade Books at Home" apart is its emphasis on creativity and personal expression. Rather than prescribing rigid templates, the book encourages readers to unleash their imagination and infuse their unique style into their creations. Through a diverse range of projects and innovative ideas, it empowers individuals to explore different artistic techniques and find their own voice in bookmaking. Furthermore, the book's versatility is commendable. Whether you're interested in crafting simple notebooks, elegant journals, or intricate artist books, "Handmade Books at Home" offers a plethora of projects to suit every taste and skill level. Each project is accompanied by detailed instructions, helpful tips, and beautiful illustrations, ensuring a rewarding and enjoyable crafting experience. Beyond its practical value, "Handmade Books at Home" is a celebration of craftsmanship and storytelling. It reminds us of the joy of creating something with our own hands and the magic of turning ordinary materials into extraordinary works of art. With its emphasis on mindfulness and creativity, it encourages readers to slow down, savor the process, and reconnect with the simple pleasures of making. In summary, "Handmade Books at Home" is an indispensable guide for anyone passionate about bookmaking or seeking a fulfilling and enriching creative outlet. With its comprehensive instructions, inspiring projects, and emphasis on self-expression, it's sure to inspire countless hours of joyful crafting and storytelling.