We kicked off the new year in the Handmade Book Club with a really fun project called the Master Sheet Collage Book. This one is a hardcover coptic stitch binding using single-sheet collage signatures. Club members had the freedom to choose any theme they’d like for their collage pages. I decided to use gardens for mine.
I was inspired to teach this project by one of my goals for this year: to use up the art supplies I already have on hand. The Master Sheet Collage Book is a great project for doing just that. I was able to dig through my stash of old vintage book pages, ticket stubs, junk mail, photos, packaging materials, magazine pages, ribbon, vintage textiles, gelli prints, painted papers, and handmade paper to create some really pleasing collages.
Club members were given step-by-step instructions on how to gather their supplies, collage and decorate their pages, create and prepare the hard covers, and sew the binding. As a little bonus, I also included a section on an image transfer technique.
See What the Club Members Made
They really hit these Master Sheet Collage books out of the park! Take a look at what some of our club members made.
Kerry created her watercolor master board from techniques she learned during our January guest artist session!
Mary S. collaged with tissue, vintage books and music, sewing patterns, and stuff she found around her workshop.
Beth used a mandala theme for her Master Sheet Collage book, and Kathleen used Japanese kimono paper for her gorgeous cover.
I love a chunky book! Tina used Bristol Mohawk 100# paper and Pearl Linen book cloth in Aztec Gold.
Katrina incorporated a decorative paper bag for her cover and Stonehenge printmaking paper for the collaged signatures.
Are you inspired yet?! I certainly was! As a fun little addition to this month’s project, club members were invited to participate in a “collage swap,” where they each filled a baggie of odds and ends, sent it to a fellow club member, and received one in return!
What Did the Club Members Say?
“Ali, this was fascinating to watch ~ So many ideas and great tips!! Thank you!!” – Jan A.
“Such fun watching your book come together! You have so many cool collectibles to add to the pages!” – Lucy B.
“These interesting techniques never cease to amaze me.” – Lisa H.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the walk-thru of your fodder, Ali, what fun!” – Dorothy W.
WHAT IS THE HANDMADE BOOK CLUB?
The Handmade Book Club grew out of my love for teaching and community. Having spent more than 10 years teaching in-person classes, I decided to reach a wider audience in 2019 and founded the online Handmade Book Club.
The Handmade Book Club is a community of bookmakers from around the world. Each month, I teach a new book binding project to the club members. In addition to making books, we love learning about ways to fill our handmade journals. That’s why we have guest artists and speakers join us every month! Club members also have access to a robust selection of past projects within the archives.
Whether you’re an experienced bookmaker or a complete novice, the Handmade Book Club is a community for you. You can try out a free book project here.
We’d love to have you join us! Sign up for the waitlist!
